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Frank P. Lahm (1877-1963)                                                                                           Aviation Pioneer                                                                                                                    Friend of the Wright Brothers

Another product of Mansfield City Schools, Frank P. Lahm became famous for his contributions in flight.  He may have began that interest by following his father, who was a well-known balloonist.  In 1906, Frank, Jr. flew the winning balloon from France to England in the International Balloon Race.

Lahm worked with the Wright Brothers in their early days and he tried to sell the War Department on their idea, as he was a graduate of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

On September 9, 1908, Frank Lahm became the first passenger of a Wright Brothers flight.  He soon learned to fly planes and was one of the skilled pilots of World War I.  In 1926, he was assigned to plan the first Air Corps Training Center.

Throughout the rest of his career, Lahm was instrumental in the growth of the United States’ air forces.  He predicted in the 1950’s that man would reach the moon before the end of the century.  Later, his hometown of Mansfield would name its airport after him.  Today, this airport is the choice of politicians and presidents who fly to Northern Ohio, as it is a military base as well as having the longest runway in Ohio.

Lahm died in 1963 at age 86.