James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, III unveiled the Tennessee historic marker honoring his father, USAF Captain James "Jim' Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr., Sunday afternoon October 29, 2006 at the American Legion Hall. Mike Fitz-Gerald, first cousin of Jim III, helped with the unveiling. In the picture on the right, USAF Lt. Bradley King (left) and USAF SSgt. Lamont Williams of the Arnold Air Force Base Honor Guard raised the United States flag to open the unveiling ceremony. The event was sponsored by the South Pittsburg Historic Preservation Society. See more pictures of event near bottom of page.
Fifty-Eight years after his death, a Tennessee historic marker honoring South Pittsburg native, James "Jim" Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr., who was a captain in the United States Air Force, was unveiled Sunday afternoon on October 29, 2006 in front of the American Legion Hall on Elm Avenue. The marker, which was paid for through private donations, was unveiled by Captain Fitz-Gerald's son, James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, III, and his cousin, Mike Fitz-Gerald.
The ceremony, which was sponsored by the South Pittsburg Historic Preservation Society, had a line up of several speakers and was emceed by South Pittsburg Mayor Mike Killian. A proclamation declaring October 29, 2006 as James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr. day was read aloud by Mayor Killian, who presented the framed document to James T. Fitz-Gerald, III.
In addition, the American flag flown on the American Legion's flag pole, was folded and presented to Mr. Fitz-Gerald near the conclusion of the ceremony. SSgt. Lamont Williams & Lt. Bradley King with the Arnold Air Force Base Honor Guard, conducted the folding and presentation.
The key speaker at the event was Jeffrey S. Smith, Colonel, United States Air Force, Commander, 704 Test Group at Arnold Engineering Development Center. Col. Smith spoke on his time at Edward's Air Force Base (Formerly Muroc) in California and the remnants of the facilities that still dot the base from the "X-1" program in which Captain Fitz-Gerald was a key test pilot. Col. Smith also spoke about the main road leading into and through the base, which is named after Captain Fitz-Gerald and how Fitz-Gerald and other test pilots brought about modern aviation.
Other speakers were Robert "Bob" Hookey, who opened the speaking with welcoming remarks and comments about the demanding requirements for acquiring a historic marker. James Dennis Lambert, Jr., Historian & SPHPS Marker Committee Chairman, read a profile on Captain Fitz-Gerald and comments made to him by General Chuck Yeager during a telephone conversation on Monday, October 23, 2006.
In addition were excellent speeches given by Robert “Bobby” Reece Thomas about his early recollections of Captain Fitz-Gerald and thoughts on Fitz-Gerald, the brother, which were read by Stan Baron on behalf of Mike Fitz-Gerald. This included the reading of a deeply moving war-time letter written by Fitz-Gerald to his younger brother, Mike.
During the closing of the event, Erica Layne, a student at South PIttsburg High School sang the National Anthem, while members of the AAFB Honor Guard lowered the American flag for presentation to Captain Fitz-Gerald's son.
A reception was held inside the American Legion Hall following the ceremony where medals awarded to Captain Fitz-Gerald during World War II as a fighter pilot and after along with many vintage photographs, which were all brought up from Mobile, Alabama by his son, James, were on display. Homemade cookies and hot apple cider were served to guest by the ladies of the SP Historical Preservation Society, who never fail to greet everyone with a cordial smiles.
The South Pittsburg Historic Preservation Society would like to thank everyone, especially the family of Captain Fitz-Gerald, who contributed to the purchase of the historic marker and those who helped make the unveiling a great success. Also, our thanks go to Arnold Air Force Base as well as the Chattanooga Times, South Pittsburg Hustler and North Jackson Progress for their promotion of the event through publishing of press releases and stories about Captain Fitz-Gerald.
The event's program was as follows:
Reveille & Flag Raising – SSgt. Lamont Williams & Lt. Bradley King, Arnold Air Force Base Honor Guard
Welcome – Robert “Bob” Hookey, SPHPS Chairmen
Introductions – Mike Killian, South Pittsburg Mayor
Profile of Fitz-Gerald – James Dennis Lambert, Jr., Historian & SPHPS Marker Committee Chairman
Early Recollections – Robert “Bobby” Reece Thomas
Thoughts on Fitz-Gerald, the Brother – Read by Stan Baron on behalf of Mike Fitz-Gerald
Jeffrey S. Smith, Colonel, United States Air Force, Commander, 704 Test Group, Arnold Engineering Development Center
Fitz-Gerald Proclamation - Mayor Killian
James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, III
Marker Unveiling – James T., III & Michael “Mike” Fitz-Gerald
“High Flight” read by Mayor Killian
“National Anthem” sung by Erica Layne, student SPHS
Flag Retirement and Presentation – A.A.F.B. Honor Guard
Closing Remarks and Acknowledgments – Mayor Killian
James Dennis Lambert, Jr. read a profile of Captain Fitz-Gerald to the crowd during the historic marker dedication.
Bobby Thomas spoke to the crowd about Captain Fitz-Gerald as Bob Hookey adjusts the volume.
Stan Baron addressed the crowd on behalf of Mike Fitz-Gerald as Mayor Killian and SPHPS Chairman Hookey look on.
Jeffrey S. Smith, Colonel, United States Air Force, Commander, 704 Test Group, Arnold Engineering Development Center was the key speaker at the event.
South Pittsburg Mayor Mike Killian presented a proclamation declaring Sunday, October 29, 2006 as USAF Captain James "Jim" Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr. day. The framed proclamation was presented to Captain Fitz-Gerald's son, James III after Mayor Killian read it aloud.
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South Pittsburg Mayor Mike Killian addressed the crowd during the Fitz-Gerald marker dedication. Mayor Killian also emceed the event.
With pleasant weather and a temperature of around 75 degrees with a brisk wind, the event was well attended with a head count showing an attendance of at least 103 persons. These included many friends and family of Captain Fitz-Gerald among many others.
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Erica Layne, a student at South Pittsburg High School and granddaughter of city commissioner and SPHPS chairman, Robert "Bob" Hookey, sung the National Anthem during the unveiling ceremony of the Tennessee historic marker honoring USAF Captain James "Jim" Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr., who was a South Pittsburg native and second man to break the sound barrier.
Lt. Bradley King and SSgt. Lamont Williams of the Arnold Air Force Base Honor Guard folded the American flag after lowering it while the National Anthem was sung by Erica Layne.
Captain Fitz-Gerald's son, James Thomas III, received the folded American flag from SSgt. Lamont Williams while Lt. Bradley King stands at attention behind. Both soldiers are with the Arnold Air Force Base Honor Guard.
Seven of the several medals awarded to USAF Captain James "Jim" Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr. during World War II and after were on display during the reception, which followed the unveiling of the Tennessee historic marker honoring Captain Fitz-Gerald last Sunday in South Pittsburg.
The family and friends of USAF Captain James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr. stand around the Tennessee historic marker that was dedicated in his honor Sunday, October 29, 2006.
Society member Helen Clay (left) talked to an old friend, Kathleen Fitz-Gerald Gullettes, during the reception. Mrs. Gullettes made the trip in for the Tennessee historic marker dedication to honor her brother, Captain James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr.
Some of the Society's ladies who served guest during the reception are pictured above. They are from left to right: Barbara Clepper, Patsy Sherrill, Bebe Fuqua and Helen Clay. James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, III can be seen in the suit to the right.
Dozens of those who attended the dedication/unveiling of the Tennessee historic marker honoring USAF Captain James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr. came to the reception following the event. Inside they were served homemade cookies and hot apple cider.
South Pittsburg native, James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr., can be seen here as a cadet at United States Military Acdemy at West Point, New York.
Photogragh courtesy, James Fitz-Gerald, III
James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr. and his wife, Lillian Odette Pankey Fitz-Gerald are pictured above. They had one son, James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, III.
Photogragh courtesy, James Fitz-Gerald, III
South Pittsburg native, James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr., can be seen here in the cockpit of an early US fighter jet. Fitz-Gerald was a test pilot.
Photogragh courtesy, James Fitz-Gerald, III
James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr. is pictured in his flight suit beside Bell's XS-1 rocket plane. This was the plane that Fitz-Gerald broke the sound barrier in on February 24, 1948 to become the second man to do so. Standing to his left are Major Gustav E. Lundquist and Captain Chuck Yeager (far left), who was the first to break the sound barrier.
A crowd of over 100 attended the dedication/unveiling ceremony on Sunday, October 29, 2006 of a Tennessee historic marker for South Pittsburg native, James Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Jr.
