November 21, 2007

OPL Names Honorary  Flight Research Pilot

OPL has named Capt. Luther H. Smith as an Honorary OPL Research Pilot. Smith, a storied World War II pilot, served as an engineer at General Electric after serving in the war. In his 37-year tenure at General Electric, he served as a valuable employee and helped produce two United States Patents. 

Smith, an original member of the famed Tuskegee Airmenhas, recieved many military honors.  In March 2007, Capt. Smith was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal. The medal represents Smith’s duties with the Tuskegee Airmen and his contributions to ethnic equality in the United States.  Smith’s achievements did not come easy. Because of his race, he was denied opportunities to attend college and attain a job. However, Smith never gave up. His resilience, which was inspired by his mother, allowed him to persevere in life and have a successful career in the military and with General Electric.

It is with great honor that OPL names Capt. Luther H. Smith an OPL Research Pilot. Smith visited the OPL Flight Operations Hangar this week and was given a tour of the instrumented car, aircraft, and flight simulators.