Aero-News has learned that Wisconsin governor Jim Doyle has signed legislation naming the state aviation facilities at Madison's Dane County Regional Airport "The Fritz E. Wolf Aviation Center".

The legislation naming the facility was jointly introduced by Senator Mark Miller and Representative Gary Hebl on behalf of the Wolf family to honor the Wisconsin aviation pioneer. The bill signing took place at the State Capitol last week, and was attended by members of the Wolf family.

"Fritz Wolf is regarded as one of the Wisconsinites who played a prominent role in the development of Wisconsin aviation," said Miller. "He is often referred to as an equal of Steve Wittman, Donald "Deke" Slayton, Paul Poberezny, Richard Bong and General Billy Mitchell."

Wolf became a naval aviator in 1939, and went on active duty as an Ensign in 1940. Seeking a little more excitement and action, he then resigned his commission in July 1941, and joined the American Volunteer Group (AVG) -- the famous "Flying Tigers" -- and saw combat against the Japanese over China during the earliest days of WWII.

After the Flying Tigers were disbanded in 1942, Wolf re-enlisted in the Navy -- this time, as a fighter pilot instructor. After training his own team, Wolf's regiment shipped out aboard the USS Hornet to Guam on January 8, 1945. He later commanded VBF-3 aboard the carrier Yorktown, and he shot down his five Japanese plane -- making him an ace -- during the first carrier-based attack on mainland Japan.

For his service in the war, Wolf was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

After his service in the Navy, Wolf became the first employee of the Wisconsin Aeronautics Commission in 1946. He served the commission until 1967, when he was appointed as the first Director of the Division and Bureau of Aeronautics by the first Secretary of Transportation, Guss Bakke.

As the State Director of Aeronautics, Wolf was instrumental in organizing the first agricultural air tours in the nation -- pioneering strobe lighting for tall towers, and establishing the first minimum airport operation standards in the nation. During his tenure Wolf also implemented the first aviation weather report in the country -- later be referred to as the "Weather Roundup" over the state radio network.

After serving the state for 35 years in the Aeronautics Division, Fritz Wolf retired in 1981. He worked under five Secretaries of Transportation and ten Governors during his service to the state, and in 1989 Fritz Wolf was inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame (right).

Mr. Wolf died in 1997 at the age of 81.

"We owe a lot to Fritz Wolf’s vision and contributions to aeronautics," said Miller."Many of the aeronautics programs he established during his tenure with the bureau became models for other states in establishing their own aeronautical programs."

"I am pleased that we were able to officially recognize the many contributions Fritz Wolf made to both Wisconsin and the field of aeronautics," added Hebl.

(ANN thanks Dave Weiman for the photo of the bill signing ceremony)

FMI: www.aviationhalloffamewisconsin.com