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“These three individuals are connected to New Jersey and have each uniquely contributed to the advancement of human flight and/or the defense of our nation," Hall of Fame Executive Director Shea Oakley explained.
Born in 1948, Blackburn paved the way for female pilots in an era when airline carriers did not hire women for flight crews. She was the first female pilot at virtually every carrier she worked for — Summit Airlines, Sun Country, Eastern, Kiwi, and Spirit — and was the first woman to crew the A-300 in America.
The longtime Belmar resident is currently a consultant with the FAA Technical Center in Atlantic City and an active flight instructor with the Monmouth Area Flying Club. She recently published her first children’s book, "Teddy, The Airplane."
Holden is a prolific aviation historian and author from Randolph who has written more than 1,000 magazine articles and 43 books.
The United States Congressional Record honoree launched the Women in Aviation Resource Center, an online repository of educational, historical, and networking resources for women interested in all aspects of aviation.
Young, a Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal honoree, was raised in Passaic and Nutley and joined the U.S. Army Air Force in January 1942. He flew B-17s, B-24s and B-25s on combat missions, including four raids on the Ploesti Oil Fields and providing the D-Day invasion.
A career airman, he was to promoted to Commander of the ANG 170th Military Airlift Group at McGuire AFB, later taking the position of Brigadier General.
The dinner, the Hall of Fame's largest fundraiser each year, is being held at the Fiesta Ballroom, Rt. 17 South in Wood-Ridge on starting at 6:15 p.m. Tickets cost $100.
CLICK HERE for more details or call (201) 288-6344.
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