Foil: 14 Panel: Retired United Pilots Association Column: 1 Line: 85

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Carol Eblen Andrew

Capt. Eblen learned to fly at Bowman Field in Louisville, Kentucky, when he was sixteen. He joined the Army Air Corps during World War II and was stationed at Bassingbourn in England with the 91st Bomb Group, 323rd Squadron. He completed 35 combat missions from June to December 1944 as captain of a B-17 earning the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Oak Clusters and the Air Medal.
After World War II Captain Eblen continued his flying career as a commercial airline pilot for Pennsylvania Central Airlines, later Capital Airlines and then United Airlines. During his 35 years in commercial aviation he piloted a number of different aircraft, including the DC-3, DC-4, Viscount, DC-6, DC-7, B-727, DC-8 and DC-10. Captain Eblen was based in Washington, D.C. for most of his career and retired from United Airlines in 1980.
William "Bill" Eblen died on August 11, 2004 at the age of 84.