Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame names 2024 inductees
The Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame announced five notable First State aviation achievers will be inducted in 2024.
Founded in 2000 to commemorate outstanding service in military and civilian aviation, the hall of fame has now recognized a total of 139 current or former Delawareans who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of aviation/aerospace in Delaware, brought singular credit to the First State in their achievements elsewhere and/or shown gallantry in aviation in service to the First State and/or the nation.
The 2024 Delaware Aviation Hall of Fame inductees are: Luna Mishoe, Jeff Chorman, John Chirtea, Michael Hales and Jessica Stephenson.
Mishoe graduated from Allen University in 1938 with a bachelor of chemistry degree. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Army Air Force. During the war, Mishoe served as group photographic intelligence officer with the Tuskegee Airmen while serving in the 477th Composite Group. Postwar, he became president of Delaware State College, overseeing the increase of the student body numbers from 386 to 2,327 during his tenure.
Chorman graduated from Cape Henlopen High School and attended Embry-Riddle University before joining the family aerial application business located in Southern Delaware. Chorman has over 32,000 hours of flight time over the Delmarva Peninsula. He owns Chorman Spraying, which operates 23 aircraft and four airports, and has 50 employees.
Chirtea graduated from Miami University in 1955 and started flying in 1958. He has been actively involved in all aspects of growing the aviation community in Sussex County. He is president of the Eagle Crest HOA, a key man for the Quiet Birdmen, vice president of EAA Chapter 1683, an AOPA advocate, Delaware representative for the United Flying Octogenarians, and an FAA Master Pilot.
Hales began his 25-year military career in 1987 as an Army aviation officer. His civilian career led him to Delaware, where he became director of aviation for Delaware State University and helped revive its aviation program. He oversaw the purchase of 15 new aircraft, tripled the number of enrolled students and facilitated numerous airline partnership agreements to further students' postgraduate careers.
Stephenson is a 2006 graduate of A.I. du Pont High school and a 2010 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Stephenson flew the AH-64D Apache during her Army career. She has flown over 400 combat hours in the Apache over Afghanistan. Stephenson has earned three air medals and the combat action badge.
For more information, go to dahf.org.
