Steadham Acker
Steadham N. Acker | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | October 22, 1952 | (aged 56)
Education | B.S. in Chemical Engineering |
Alma mater | University of Alabama |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Grace Fruitticher |
Children | Grace Ann Kessler, Mildred Acker Luck |
Parent(s) | William Henderson Acker, Emma Izora Stedham |
Steadham N. Acker (March 31, 1896 - October 22, 1952) was an American pioneer aviator before World War I and a United States Naval Aviator during World War I.
Early life[]
He was born on March 31, 1896 in Gadsden, Alabama to William H. Acker.[1]
He graduated from the University of Alabama's College of Engineering with a Bachelor of science degree.[1]
Career[]
He was a member of the Early Birds of Aviation, a small group of pilots that flew before World War I.[2] Acker's first flight and parachute jump was made in 1914 when he was 18, and used a balloon, rather than a powered aircraft.[3]
He served as a United States Naval Aviator with the rank of lieutenant from 1918 to 1919.[4] During his service, he organized the first night flying unit for the Navy.[1]
He was the general manager of the Birmingham Municipal Airport and founded the on 31 January 1932. Acker and Rountree founded and managed the , an annual Birmingham based airshow.[5][6] In 1946 Acker became the director for the National Aviation Clinic in Oklahoma City and ran the Omaha airshow.[7]
Death and legacy[]
He died October 22, 1952 in Jefferson, Alabama at age 56.[8]
He was inducted in the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame in 1984.
References[]
- ^ a b c "Folks Worth Meeting". American Aviation. 1: 13. April 15, 1938. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
- ^ "Steadham Acker". Retrieved 26 March 2012.
- ^ "Acker Inductee Narrative". Retrieved 26 March 2012.
- ^ Durward Howes. Who's who among the young men of the nation, Volume 2. p. 4.
- ^ American Aviation. 10. 1946.
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: CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link) - ^ "Birmingham Aero Club". Retrieved 26 January 2012.
- ^ Flying Magazine: 116. May 1946.
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: CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link) - ^ "Steadham N. Acker (1896 - 1952) - Find A Grave Memorial".
- 1896 births
- 1952 deaths
- Aviators from Alabama
- American World War I pilots
- Members of the Early Birds of Aviation
- People from Talladega, Alabama
- University of Alabama alumni