Rationale for Inclusion
- Pioneering Jet Aircraft Development: James McDonnell’s company was responsible for developing some of the first jet-powered aircraft for the U.S. Navy, including the FH-1 Phantom, which was the first jet aircraft to operate from an aircraft carrier.
- Influential Military Aircraft Designs: McDonnell Aircraft produced several iconic military aircraft, such as the XP-67 Bat; the FH-1 Phantom, which became the first jet aircraft to land on an aircraft carrier, marking significant advancements in military aviation; and F-4 Phantom II, which became one of the most versatile and widely used fighter jets in history, serving in multiple conflicts and in the air forces of numerous countries.
- Contributions to Space Exploration: McDonnell’s company designed and built the Mercury and Gemini spacecraft, which were critical to the success of America’s early manned spaceflight missions and helped pave the way for the Apollo moon landings.
- Innovation in Aircraft Technology: Under McDonnell’s leadership, his company developed groundbreaking technologies in aerodynamics, avionics, and materials science, contributing to significant advancements in aircraft performance and safety. McDonnell
- Formation of Aerospace Giant McDonnell Douglas: The merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft Company in 1967 created McDonnell Douglas Corporation, a major player in both commercial and military aviation, known for producing influential aircraft like the DC-10 and the F/A-18 Hornet. This organization is now a part of Boeing and still contributing significantly to the future of aviation and aerospace.
- Charitable Giving Legacy: McDonnell founded the James S. McDonnell Foundation in 1950, which supports scientific, educational, and charitable causes on a local, national, and international level. The McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences is named after him, which he co-founded – established in 1974. McDonnell Hall, housing part of the physics department at his alma mater, Princeton, also bears his name. Six James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professorships at Princeton University were established as a gift from the James S. McDonnell Foundation.
Biography
- Early Life and Education: James Smith McDonnell was born on April 9, 1899, in Denver, Colorado. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Princeton University in 1921 and a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1925.
- Personal Life: James McDonnell was married twice, and had five children total, two children from his first marriage and three adopted stepchildren from his second marriage.
- Early Career: McDonnell worked for several early aviation companies, including Stout Metal Airplane Division of the Ford Motor Company, Hamilton Metalplane Company, and the Glenn L. Martin Company, where he gained valuable experience in aircraft design and manufacturing.
- Founding McDonnell Aircraft: In 1939, McDonnell founded McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in St. Louis, Missouri. The company started with limited resources but quickly grew due to McDonnell’s vision and leadership.
- Leading McDonnell Aircraft: McDonnell preceded to lead McDonnell Aircraft as either CEO or Chair for the next 41 years until his death in 1980.
- In his lifetime, McDonnell received a variety of awards and accolades:
- Induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame (1977)
- Receiving of the NAS Award in Aeronautical Engineering from the National Academy of Science (1980)
- The naming of numerous buildings, streets, parks, and other public and academic spaces