Donald D. Engen

Donald Davenport Engen (28 May 1924 – 13 July 1999) was a United States Navy vice admiral, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Director of the National Air and Space Museum.

Education Engen graduated from Pasadena High School in May 1941 and then attended Pasadena City College until leaving to join the U.S. Navy.

US Navy career

World War II Engen entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program on 9 June 1942, he soloed in August and in September 1942 was sent to naval preflight school.

In January 1944, Carrier Air Group 19 (CAG-19) embarked on the for transit to Hawaii, offloading at Ford Island. On 5 November 1944, Engen and the rest of VB-19 participated in the sinking of the Japanese cruiser Nachi in Manila Bay.

Awards James H. Doolittle Award (1984) Yuri A. Gagarin Gold Medal (1992) L. Welch Pogue Award for Lifetime Achievement in Aviation (1996) Naval Aviation Hall of Honor (2004)

Engen was a recipient of the following military decorations and service medals: Navy Cross, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Gold Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with two Gold Stars, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four Bronze Engagement Stars, World War II Victory Medal, China Service Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal with ASIA Clasp, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with Bronze Star. Additionally, he was awarded the Korean Presidential Unit Citation Badge, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Badge and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device.

Memorials Donald D. Engen observation tower beside the entrance of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum The Donald D. Engen Observation Tower at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is named after him, while the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar is named after his wife. The Naval Intelligence Professionals VADM Donald D. Engen Naval Intelligence Foundation Scholarship. The Aero Club Trophy for Aviation Excellence is awarded annually by the Aero Club of Washington, D.C. Renamed the Donald D. Engen Aero Club Trophy for Aviation Excellence. The permanent Trophy resides in the National Air & Space Museum. The criteria for the trophy include: technological advances; development of aviation policy acts of courage or professionalism; and lifetime achievements in the aviation field.