Nov 28, 2013 3 min read

The city of Washington has produced a number of citizens that have gone on to achieve fame and fortune, but probably none more admired in his own time than DeLloyd “Dutch” Thompson.

A series of articles about Thompson’s life that was published in this newspaper several years ago described him: “An aviation pioneer, he made sensational headlines from coast to coast as he smashed speed and altitude records, and outlived most of his fellow stunt pilots in the early, crazy days of flight. An idol to millions of children and adults alike, he thrilled crowds at air shows and speedways, amassed great wealth, and convinced a nation of the dangers and advantages of air warfare.”

Thompson’s fame reached a peak before World War I, when he “bombed” the Washington monument, New York City, Chicago and other cities with incendiaries to demonstrate how important aircraft can be in warfare.

Thompson never forgot where he came from and took every opportunity to promote his hometown. And so, after he died in 1949, his friends and admirers joined forces to make sure that Washington would never forget Dutch Thompson.

Through the efforts of the Washington Jaycees and the airport authority, and with money raised in a campaign organized by the Observer Publishing Co., memorial gates were erected at the new airport south of the city, with bronze plaques detailing Thompson’s achievements. More than 5,000 people, including state officials and some of the early greats of aviation, gathered at the airport for ceremonies and an air show celebrating Thompson’s life. At that time, DeLloyd Thompson Memorial Field at Washington Airport was officially dedicated.

Over time, the airport was expanded and the gates eliminated. But in 1969, Washington County Commissioners conducted another airport ceremony at which the plaques were hung in the administration building and the airport rededicated in Thompson’s honor.

The airport continued to grow and change, and at some time the plaques were removed and might have been discarded or lost if Margaret Thompson, widow of Thompson’s son Robert, had not obtained them and delivered them to the Washington County Historical Society.

The plaques are now in the Military Room of the LeMoyne House – not at all where they were intended to be on display.

And at Washington County Airport, the name of DeLloyd Thompson cannot be found.

At their meeting last week, Washington County Commissioners were asked to make sure that Thompson’s achievements are no longer ignored, and that he is not forgotten.

Mrs. Thompson is asking that the plaques be returned to the airport, and that the field – the runway and taxiways – be rededicated in Dutch’s honor, noting that 2014 is the 125th anniversary of Thompson’s birth.

By restoring the plaques to the airport administration building, the commissioners can do service to Thompson’s descendants and to the flying community that owes so much to him and the other pioneers of aviation.

And in doing so they will be preserving and protecting an important piece of local history.