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United States Representative Federation Aeronautique Internationale January 1976 [[logo]] NATIONAL AERONAUTIC ASSOCIATION [[logo]] 806 Fifteenth Street. N. W. Washington. D. C. DI 7-2808 Cable-NATAERO Aviation's Man of the Year, Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson, recognized the world over as being perhaps the most outstanding designer in the history of aviation was presented the National Aeronautic Association's 1975 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy before a distinguished audience of over 1000 aerospace and governmental leaders on December 12, 1975 at a banquet hosted by the Aero Club of Washington in commemoration of the 72nd anniversary of man's first flight. NAA Director, Senator Barry Goldwater, was once again Master of Ceremonies for the annual event. In making the presentation, NAA President John P. Henebry stated that: "His is a technique that is mirrored nowhere else in the aerospace industry. It is first to set goals never set before attained, then assign the best talent to each increment of the problem, combine the solutions and finally refine the overall effort -- all of this to be accomplished on a tight but practical schedule -- the payoff -- 42 trainers, fighters, bombers, transports and reconnaissance aircraft which are among the best known in the world. "Many honors have come to Kelly Johnson for his unique contributions to aerospace developments through the years. However, no one else in the history of aviation can lay claim to having received 2 Robert J. Collier Trophies, as well as the Wright Memorial Trophy. No one is more deserving." "Kelly" Johnson who later recalled that as a youngster of 12 in Ishpeming, Michigan, though never having seen an airplane other than in magazines of the time, made up his mind even then that all he ever wanted to do for the rest of his life was to "design airplanes." The citation on the Trophy,which is a miniature silver replica of the original Wright Flyer,speaks for itself as to just how well "Kelly" fulfilled his life long ambition - which has been of tremendous significance to the United States and the world: "For his vital and enduring contributions over a period of 40 years to the design and development of military and commercial aircraft." Mr. Johnson, in accepting the Trophy, expressed his lifetime admiration and understanding of the Wright Brothers' genius which has been such an inspiration to his career. He also admitted how hard it was throughout his career as an aircraft designer to invent something really new that the Wright Brothers hadn't applied or made use of many years ago. Whether tricycle landing gears, catapult launching devices, opposite rotating propellers, thin high lift wings, dual vertical tails, canard control surfaces, variable wing camber and many other features. -- The Wright's, according to Kelly Johnson, also made good use of the wind tunnel as a design tool and built their own engines and propellers with most commendable design skill---"It is therefore with great humility, pride and admiration of them that I accept the award made in their name tonight." Published Monthly by the National Aeronautic Association for its Members Major General Brooke E. Allen, USAF (Ret.), Executive Director M. A. Roth, Editor
