Tadao & Yoshie Yotsuuye

Foil: 13 Panel: 2 Column: 3 Line: 96

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Robert Yotsuuye

Over 74+ years in aviation. Born in Tacoma, Washington on October 4, 1927. Grew up on the family farm in Fife, Washington Tada was Interned as a teenager with his family at Camp Harmony Japanese American Internment Camp in Puyallup, Washington prior to being interned at Minidoka Internment Camp, Idaho 1942-45. Joined the US Army Air Forces-US Air Force from 1946-1950 and served at Wheeler Airfield Oahu, Hawaii and Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan as a Tower Controller as part of the Japanese Occupation Forces. After his service to our country, educated as an A&P/Flight Engineer 1950-52 at Spartan College, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Boeing 307 Stratoliner A&P/FE for Airlines Incorporated Flight Training School at Homestead Airfield in Homestead, Florida in 1952. A&P for West Coast Airlines at Spokane Airport on the DC-3, F-27 and DC-9 1953-65 Spokane, Washington. A&P/Inspector: Convair 880, 990 & 440, Lockheed Constellation, C-130, Grumman Goose, Boeing 707,727/100 & 200, 737/100-900, and Airbus A-320 series for Alaska Airlines from 1965-2020. Retired at the age of 92 on October 1, 2020 after 55 years of service with Alaska Airlines and 74 years of service in the field of aviation.

Recipient of the:
-Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award, 2006
-Alaska Airlines Legend Award, 2006
-First recipient of Alaska Airlines 55 Year pin.
-Claim to fame, 1st to use "speed tape" for use on aircraft at West Coast Airlines, 1960. In Spokane Airfield they needed to patch up the DC-3 elevator when a telephone repair person suggested to use electrical tape. Flew from Spokane to Seattle where destination mechanics could not remove said tape and ultimately certified use of "speed tape" for aviation purposes.