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Idaho Aviation Hall of Fame to honor three

A Medal of Honor recipient, an Idaho aviation leader and a former U.S. ambassador to the council of the International Civil Aviation Organization will be inducted into the Idaho Aviation Hall of Fame this month.

Retired Army Maj. Ed Freeman, Bob Hoff and Ed Stimpson will be honored during a Hall of Fame induction dinner Tuesday, Oct. 24, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Boise River Room on the third floor of the Boise Air Terminal rotunda.

David Hinson, former Federal Aeronautics and Aviation administrator, will be the featured speaker. Hinson is retired and lives in Ketchum.

Freeman was awarded a Medal of Honor for gallantry during service in Vietnam in 1965.

He risked his life by flying a Huey helicopter numerous times through enemy fire, delivering needed ammunition, water and medical supplies to a besieged American infantry battalion. After retiring from the military, he flew for 21 years as Northwest-area director of aircraft services for the U.S. Department of the Interior's Boise office.

A leader in Idaho’s aviation community for more than half a century, Hoff is an airplane collector and restorer who often raises money for Idaho charities by auctioning flights in his collected aircraft. He is president of the International Staggerwing Club and continues to be a coordinator for and participant in Idaho aerial search and rescue operations.

Stimpson served as U.S. ambassador to the council of the ICAO for five years, beginning in 1999. Prior to his congressional appointment, he was president of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association for 25 years. He was instrumental in passage of the General Aviation Revitalization Act that alleviated huge product liability costs and reinvigorated the general aviation industry.

The Idaho Aviation Hall of Fame was founded in 1991 honor pioneers in Idaho aviation, according to its president, Harry Sauerwein.

Plaques are given to the honorees as part of the induction activities.

“We put copies of those plaques in the eight major airports in the state,” Sauerwein said.

The organization has honored 31 Idaho aviation pioneers.

The dinner and induction ceremony is open to the public. “All you have to do is have an interest in aviation,” Sauerwein said.

Tickets for the event can be purchased for $45 each ($25 tax deductible) before Oct. 20 and for $50 each ($30 tax deductible) thereafter. Parking will be validated.

To register, call (208) 343-6031, e-mail aviationmuseum@cableone.net or send payment to 3591 Rickenbacker, Boise, ID 83705.

Photos: 2006 inductees into the Idaho Aviation Hall of Fame are: Retired Army Maj. Ed Freeman (top), Bob Hoff (middle) and Ed Stimpson (bottom)