Fleet made the fledgling aircraft industry in the United States. He became the head of the Army pilot training before World War I. He was placed into the position of flying chief of the first airmail service in May 1918. He risked his life flying in horrible weather to prove the value of airmail aviation, and aviation in general. He pioneered many of the practices that would bring stability to the world of flying.
During the war he led the advanced flight training program at Brooks Field in San Antonio, TX. After the war he became general manager of Gallaudet Aircraft Corporation. During the twenties and thirties he worked in management with some of the most prestigious aircraft firms in the country in helping develop the state of the art airplanes.
Throughout his career he had a motto that few could forget: "Nothing Short of Right Is Right."
During World War II, and after, Fleet worked on some of the most important aircraft projects America has ever undertaken. He was considered senior adviser to so many projects that they became almost uncountable! He worked on the Liberator project, the B-36, the Delta wing Dagger fighter jet, and many others. Only a few engineers in aviation were as respected as Fleet.
In 1965 he was inducted into the Dayton, Ohio Aerospace Hall of Fame. The presentation read: "Above all, Reuben Fleet was an unabashed patriot. He believed in the basic virtues which made his beloved country great—self reliance, personal integrity, respect for truth, living within one's means, devotion to duty, thrift, belief in God, love of country."
Fleet died in 1975 at the age of eighty-eight. This country today needs more men like Reuben Fleet!
During the war he led the advanced flight training program at Brooks Field in San Antonio, TX. After the war he became general manager of Gallaudet Aircraft Corporation. During the twenties and thirties he worked in management with some of the most prestigious aircraft firms in the country in helping develop the state of the art airplanes.
Throughout his career he had a motto that few could forget: "Nothing Short of Right Is Right."
During World War II, and after, Fleet worked on some of the most important aircraft projects America has ever undertaken. He was considered senior adviser to so many projects that they became almost uncountable! He worked on the Liberator project, the B-36, the Delta wing Dagger fighter jet, and many others. Only a few engineers in aviation were as respected as Fleet.
In 1965 he was inducted into the Dayton, Ohio Aerospace Hall of Fame. The presentation read: "Above all, Reuben Fleet was an unabashed patriot. He believed in the basic virtues which made his beloved country great—self reliance, personal integrity, respect for truth, living within one's means, devotion to duty, thrift, belief in God, love of country."
Fleet died in 1975 at the age of eighty-eight. This country today needs more men like Reuben Fleet!
