Louisa, Virginia

Inducted in 2003, Dewitt “Witt” Freeman earned his gold Naval Aviator Wings in 1944 through the V-5 Aviation Cadet Program.  He flew the FM-2 until the end of WWII and then transitioned into the F-6F and F-8F.   His first jet assignment was in the P-80 at Edwards AFB where he became the first Navy pilot to remotely control the Regulus missile.  He commanded the F-4B Phantom equipped squadron VF-41, which was one of the first units to deploy in response to the Russians’ stationing nuclear-armed medium range ballistic missiles in Cuba.  Other commands included VF-101, USS Truckee (AO-147), USS Saratoga (CV-60) and Carrier Division Four (USS Saratoga, USS America, USS Independence and USS John F. Kennedy).  After retiring as Rear Admiral in 1975 he became a fixed base operator at Orange County Airport where he was successful in getting the runway extended.  This effectiveness led to the Industrial Development Authority in Louisa County to enlist Freeman to help develop an airport for Louisa County.  As the Chairman of the new Airport Committee he led the successful effort to build the Louisa County Airport, which was dedicated in May 1984 as Freeman Field.  Freeman is a long time member of the EAA and VAHS.  He oversaw the moving of the Shannon collection to the new Virginia Aviation Museum in 1986-87.  As the chairman of the VAHS Board he oversaw the creation of the highly successful chapter program.