Aerospace Education Center Presents the 30th Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame
WHEN: 6 p.m., Thursday, November 12, 2009
WHERE: 3301 East Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR 72206
Located on Roosevelt Road across from the Little Rock National Airport
BACKGROUND: The Aerospace Education Center (AEC) and the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society will induct Greg Arnold, President and CEO of TAC Air, Inc.; and Billy G. Edens, a World War II fighter ACE from Tyronza, Arkansas, into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame at 6 p.m. at the AEC on Thursday, November 12.
Tickets to the event are $125 or $1,250 for a table of ten. Attendees will enjoy a four-course meal and presentations on both inductees. Funds raised as a result of the Aviation HOF ceremony support educational pursuits of the AEC.
About Greg Arnold
Greg Arnold is President/CEO of Truman Arnold Companies (TAC), a privately-owned national petroleum marketing and aviation services company started by Truman Arnold in 1964. According the Arkansas Business, TAC is Arkansas’ largest privately-owned business. With 13 TAC Air fixed-base operator locations, TAC Air is nationally-recognized as one of the premier chains of operations in the country. TAC employs more than 500 associates with sales and distribution exceeding two billion gallons annually.
Active in both industry and civic activities, Arnold continually achieves a winning balance among the many different TAC divisions and business interests. Greg has served as President of the Arkansas Oil Marketers Association, president of the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce, and most recently completed a term as chair of the board of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), one of the aviation industry’s leading advocacy organizations.
About Col. Billy G. Edens
Billy Gene Edens graduated from Tyronza High School on June 1, 1942 and joined the Army Air Corps on June 27, 1942. He retired in 1974 after almost 32 years of service. He is a veteran of 83 combat missions in Europe during World War II, 123 combat missions in Korea and 36 combat missions in the Dominican Republic. He further served two to tours in Vietnam.
While flying P-47s for the 56th Fighter Group in England, Col. Edens attained “ACE” status by destroying eight German aircraft in the air, probably destroying another five, and damaging 21 in air-to-air combat. He was shot down four times and escaped three; however, he was captured and spent the last months of World War II in a prisoner of war camp. When the camp was liberated by the Russians, Col. Edens was brought into the Russian Army, given command of 200 soldiers, and proceeded with the Russians to Berlin.
In 1953, Col. Edens was squadron commander of a newly-formed Wing equipped with F-84 jet fighters. He was part of the first oceanic crossing with air-to-air refueling from the United States to Europe, thus earning the unit the coveted Mackay Trophy.
Col. Edens worked directly for Gen. Westmoreland as chief of Special Operations and Requirements in Siagon in 1966. His decorations include the Silver Star, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, 13 air medals, two Purple Hearts and numerous unit citations.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Ann Jones at 501- 376-4629 ext. 103 or Ajones270@aol.com.
About the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame
Established in 1980 by the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society, the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame honors individuals who played a great role in the history of aviation on the national or state scene.
About the Arkansas Aviation Historical Society
The Arkansas Aviation Historical Society was founded in 1979 to preserve Arkansas aviation history and establish the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame.
About Aerospace Education Center
The Aerospace Education Center is a nonprofit organization serving as Arkansas’s center for aerospace education and promotion, an aviation museum, GiantScreen movie theater and EpiSphere planetarium.
