John Henry Towers requested to be assigned to aviation duty after graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1906. The first naval aviator, Lt Theodore Ellyson, taught him to fly and he qualified as Naval Aviator No. 3 in 1911. At the Navy's first aviation camp in San Diego, Lt Towers conducted the first testing associated with development of the Curtiss seaplanes. On October 12th 1912 at Annapolis, Maryland, he established a world endurance record when he remained airborne in the Curtiss A-I for 6 hours 10 minutes 35 seconds. John Towers was there during every phase of naval aviation development. He commanded the first aviation station at Pensacola, Florida, which became the flight training school for Navy pilots. He commanded the Navy's aviation forces during the occupation of Vera Cruz in 1914, and developed the Naval Aviators badge. As senior aviator in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations during World War I, his astute planning and leadership guided the U.S. Navy Air Forces. In 1919 he was able to return to a plan he first conceived in 1914; to organize, train, and lead the first trans-Atlantic air crossing. Although his own ship was forced down at sea, he accomplished the unique feat of sailing the aircraft several hundred miles to the Azores. One aircraft of the flight, the NC-4, completed the mission to Europe. Between the wars, John Tower's career paralleled the growing strength of naval aviation, and he became the first naval aviator to achieve flag rank as Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics in 1939. He organized the expansion of the Navy from 2,000 to nearly 10,000 aircraft, and directed naval aviation in the opening period of World War II. Insistence on leading a combat command resulted in his appointment as Commander of the Naval Air Forces Pacific Fleet where he directed the expansion of the Carrier forces and led the air arm of the largest fleet ever assembled in history. His contributions were in large measure responsible for the victory in the Pacific. On December 1st 1947, after 45 years of dedicated service to his country, Admiral John H. Towers retired from active service.
Inducted in 1973.
Portrait Location: Not Currently on Floor