Founder of McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, and later CEO of the merged McDonnell Douglas Corporation.

Among his notable achievements were the production of the U.S. Navy’s first carrier based jet fighter, the FM-1; America’s first manned space craft, Mercury; and the F-4 Phantom jet, for which he was awarded the prestigious Collier Trophy in 1966.

After merging his company with Douglas Aircraft, they produced the acclaimed DC-10 wide body jet, and his crowning achievement, the F-15 Eagle fighter.

McDonnell aircraft in the Yank’s collection include the F-4 Phantom and the F-15 Eagle.