A neighbor, a friend, a brother in aviation.
Joe was a good soul; soft spoken and quiet in his demeanor, but determined. He joined the Air Force in the mid sixties, and became a pilot; a fighter pilot. Joe flew a combat tour in Vietnam flying the F4C. His flying skill earned him an Air Medal and the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross.
From the military to the Airlines, Joe kept to the skies. He entered an industry fraught with many challenges. Through it all, Joe persisted and completed a successful three decade career at Eastern and Northwest Airlines.
Retiring to a small town in southern New Jersey with his wife Arlene; Joe spent two mornings every week in the local airport cafe with a group of pilots. These men were Military and Airline pilots who gathered to reminisce about past conquests and adventures from their storied careers. A fellowship of seasoned aviators.
We celebrate Joe Molinaro for his commitment and service to our country, to his family, and to his friends and neighbors.
Here at the National Air and Space Museum, we honor Joe and the thing we all share with him; a passion for flight