Foil: 13 Panel: 4 Column: 4 Line: 45

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Paulette Etchart & Sibblings

Mitch Etchart was born in Glasgow, MT in 1921. He soloed in Havre, MT in 1940 as part of the Civilian Pilot Training Program. In July 1941 he became Certified Flight Instructor #-55561 -41. Etchart was an instructor for Lynch Flying Service Belgrade, MT until Pearl Harbor. He then went to California to instruct Primary Army Air Corps cadets in Stearman biplanes. He went on to instruct Basic Training cadets in BT-13s. Etchart entered the Army Air Corps in July of 1943 as a 2nd Lieutenant, flight supervisor, and check pilot. In June 1944 he started fighter replacement training in P-39s and P-40s with gunnery training in AT-6s. WWII ended before Etchart got to fly the P-51. He returned to the family ranch in September 1945. Etchart remained in the Air Force Reserve until retirement as a LtCol.
In 2001, the Montana Pilot’s Association awarded him the “2001 Senior Pilot of the Year” Award. Mitch Etchart started his flying career at age nineteen in 1940 and it has spanned sixty four years to date (2004).