Aviators

April 22, 2023

Lt. Col. Bobbie Pedigo

Lt Col Bobbie Pedigo started his military career as a KyNG private in 1951. He served two tours in Vietnam and became an instructor pilot accumulating 2000 hours of flight time- 1200 on fixed wing and 800 on rotary. His completed 51 years of federal service. Aviation Heritage Park salutes this Warren County Kentucky native.
April 29, 2023

Lt Col Gerald Roark

Lt Col Gerald Roark had a 22 year career in the Air Force flying the KC and EC 135. He created, equipped, and trained the Air Wing of the US Central Command. His military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
April 15, 2019

LCDR John Magda

Magda was a highly decorated pilot during World War II and beyond. After surviving being stranded at sea in 1942, he went on to become an ace pilot at just 23 years old, shooting down enemy aircraft and leading a fighter plane division. He set speed records and served with the Blue Angels before tragically losing his life in a crash during the Korean War in 1951.
March 27, 2025

Gen Joseph Ralston

From an Air Force ROTC student to commanding NATO, Joseph Ralston has become the senior ranking airman Kentucky has ever produced. Gen Ralston is a command pilot with more than 2,500 flying hours, including 147 combat missions over Laos and North Vietnam, flying Republic F-105 fighter-bombers and F-105 Wild Weasel jets.
April 15, 2019

Col Terry Wilcutt

After graduation from Western Kentucky University in 1974, Col Terry Wilcutt taught high school math for two years prior to entering the Marine Corps. After overseas deployments to Japan, Korea and the Philippines, he became a Naval Test Pilot. While serving as a test pilot/project officer Wilcutt flew the F/A-18 Hornet, the A-7 Corsair II, the F-4 Phantom, and various other aircraft. He has over 6,600 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft. Wilcutt became an astronaut in 1991 and is a veteran of four space flights- pilot on STS-and STS-79, and mission commander on STS-89 and STS-106.
April 15, 2019

Col Ray Nutter

Colonel Ray Nutter showed extreme bravery and heroism on October 18, 1966, while leading a helicopter team in Vietnam. He flew his aircraft into heavy fire to rescue a friendly force, even after other evacuation helicopters had failed. His helicopter was hit, the other pilot was killed, and Major Nutter was injured. Despite this, he led his crew to safety through enemy territory, killing two attackers with his knife. They endured harsh conditions and enemy fire all night before finally making contact with friendly forces the next day. Colonel Nutter was a highly decorated soldier in the Vietnam War, with awards including the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and Bronze Star.
April 28, 2023

Col Pete Sullivan

Col Francis "Pete" Sullivan completed 136 combat missions in the Vietnam War, flying the Douglas A4 Skyhawk and with VMA331 and VMA 214, the Black Sheep Squadron. Among his medals and awards, he holds eight Air Medals plus the Vietnam Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and the Marine Corps Reserve Medal.
April 15, 2019

Col Arthur “Mac” Reynolds

As a Marine, Col. Mac Reynolds served around the world, including flying and eventually commanding Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), where he flew four different U.S. presidents. His personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with gold star, Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, and the Presidential Service Badge.
April 15, 2019

Col Arnold Franklin

April 15, 1986, Lt Col Arnie Franklin led 18 F-111s from Royal Air Force Station, Lakenheath, England, on a mission to bomb three targets in Libya while the U.S. Navy simultaneously bombed two other target areas near Benghazi. The mission demonstrated U.S. resolve and served as a warning against continued Libyan-sponsored terrorist attacks around the world. The grueling mission lasted more than 14 hours with numerous refuelings. The bombing run over Libya lasted a long 2 minutes.
April 15, 2019

CDR David Finney

David H. Finney was the Chief of the Johnson Space Center Aircraft Operations Division in the Flight Crew Operations Directorate until his retirement from NASA in July 2008. Finney had 9277 flight hours in 30 types of aircraft and was current in the T-38A, T-38N, Super Guppy, B747 Shuttle Carrier, and the G159 aircraft with NASA.
April 18, 2019

Brig Gen Victor Strahm

After receiving flight training in both the US and France, Victor Strahm was assigned to the 91st Aero Squadron to carry out aerial photographic reconnaissance to supplement land intelligence. Planes were involved in frequent dog fights. During his flights in this war, Victor shot down a total of five German airplanes.
April 30, 2023

Brig Gen Ken Fleenor

Brig Gen Ken Fleenor survived five years as a Prisoner of War after his F-4 was shot down flying over Southeast Asia. During his 28-year Air Force career, Fleenor amassed more than 5,400 flying hours and has 184 combat hours. His decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal and Air Medal.