McLean, Virginia

Inducted in1990, Paul E. Garber's name is synonymous with the history of powered and controlled flight.  In July 1909, he saw Orville Wright fly at Fort Myer, VA.  His own first solo flight occurred on Independence Day of 1919.  His 70-year association with the Smithsonian Institution began in 1920.  His innumerable contributions at the Smithsonian Institute include the acquisition and preservation of the "Spirit of St. Louis" and the Douglas World Cruiser "Chicago".  He rose to head curator and senior historian, and later senior historian of the National Air Museum (later the National Air and Space Museum) before his retirement in 1969.  He is a retired Navy Commander of both World War I and World War II, and an Honorary Naval Aviator.  The Smithsonian Institute dedicated the Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility in 1980 to continue the work of this longtime Virginia resident.