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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Helga Samuels

Irving Wellington Samuels (born April 25,1928 in Orange/New Jersey) joined the United States Army in June of 1945. In October 1946 he became the youngest Second Lieutenant in the Army. He served a tour of duty in Japan and, as a Veteran of the Korean War, earned three bronze service stars and a bronze star medal. In September 1953 he chose to pursue a civilian management career with the IBM Corporation.
As a young man and soldier, "Irv" developed a great interest in aeronautics. He flew his first solo flight as a recreational pilot in 1969. Soon after, he and some fellow private pilots formed Ram Roc Flyers Inc., an Aero Club operating out of Ramapo Valley Airport in Spring Valley, N.Y. and Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, N. J. The group purchased and operated several single engine planes so that they and others could fly at a reasonable cost
In 1983, while on overseas assignment with IBM in Europe as Director of Satellite Communications -an independent business unit responsible for developing satellite business communications in Europe - he and his team were instrumental in helping expand IBM's communications network. The effort culminated in the launching of Satellite Business System's "SBS-4" satellite aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery during its maiden voyage August 30 through September 5,1984. To personally be able to witness the launch at Cape Canaveral was one of the many great memories and highlights in Irv's career and life. Irving Wellington Samuels passed away on February 15,1995 and is laid to rest at Quantico National Cemetery in Quantico/Virginia.