Aline Rhonie Hofheimer
Encyclopedia
Aline Rhonie Hofheimer Brooks (August 16, 1909 – January 7, 1963) was one of the pioneering women aviation pilots in World War II
. In March 2010, shortly after her centennial birthday, she was posthumously awarded the United States Congressional Gold Medal.
, on August 16, 1909 as Aline Rhonie Hofheimer. She was born into the notable Hofheimer family of York township. Aline Hofheimer learned to fly at the age of 21 in Reno
, Nevada
in a De Havilland Moth
with a Gypsy engine. She moved from York to New Jersey at the age of three. She received her transport license
in 1931, and her English pilot's license in 1936. She was the first American to receive an Irish Commercial license in 1938.
During World War II, she participated in the British war relief effort
and was one of the two women to join the Air Transport Auxiliary
. After the war, Hofheimer learned mural painting from the prominent Mexican painter Diego Rivera
. She is remembered for having painted a 126 feet (38.4 m), 1400 square feet (130.1 m²) fresco representing aviation history at a hangar in Roosevelt Field, Long Island
., which has since been relocated to the Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
in Queens, New York.
Hofheimer married a well-known race-pilot Peter Brooks in the 1930s. The couple had no children. She died on January 7, 1963 in Palm Beach, Florida
at the age of 54.
for her service in the French red cross, Medaille de la Reconnaissance Francaise, was made a Chavalier de la Croix de Lorraine
, and received the King George VI medal
in Great Britain.
She was inducted into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame in 2010.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In March 2010, shortly after her centennial birthday, she was posthumously awarded the United States Congressional Gold Medal.
Biography
She was born in York, PennsylvaniaYork, Pennsylvania
York, known as the White Rose City , is a city located in York County, Pennsylvania, United States which is in the South Central region of the state. The population within the city limits was 43,718 at the 2010 census, which was a 7.0% increase from the 2000 count of 40,862...
, on August 16, 1909 as Aline Rhonie Hofheimer. She was born into the notable Hofheimer family of York township. Aline Hofheimer learned to fly at the age of 21 in Reno
Reno
Reno is the fourth most populous city in Nevada, US.Reno may also refer to:-Places:Italy*The Reno River, in Northern ItalyCanada*Reno No...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
in a De Havilland Moth
De Havilland Moth
The de Havilland Moths were a series of light aircraft, sports planes and military trainers designed by Geoffrey de Havilland. In the late 1920s and 1930s they were the most common civil aircraft flying in Britain and during that time every light aircraft flying in the UK was commonly referred to...
with a Gypsy engine. She moved from York to New Jersey at the age of three. She received her transport license
Airline Transport Pilot License
The Airline Transport Pilot License , or in the United States of America, an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate is the highest level of aircraft pilot rating -- or license...
in 1931, and her English pilot's license in 1936. She was the first American to receive an Irish Commercial license in 1938.
During World War II, she participated in the British war relief effort
British War Relief Society
The British War Relief Society was a US-based humanitarian umbrella organisation dealing with the supply of non-military aid such as food, clothes, medical supplies and financial aid to people in Great Britain during the early years of the Second World War...
and was one of the two women to join the Air Transport Auxiliary
Air Transport Auxiliary
The Air Transport Auxiliary was a British World War II civilian organisation that ferried new, repaired and damaged military aircraft between UK factories, assembly plants, transatlantic delivery points, Maintenance Units , scrap yards, and active service squadrons and airfields—but not to...
. After the war, Hofheimer learned mural painting from the prominent Mexican painter Diego Rivera
Diego Rivera
Diego María de la Concepción Juan Nepomuceno Estanislao de la Rivera y Barrientos Acosta y Rodríguez was a prominent Mexican painter born in Guanajuato, Guanajuato, an active communist, and husband of Frida Kahlo . His large wall works in fresco helped establish the Mexican Mural Movement in...
. She is remembered for having painted a 126 feet (38.4 m), 1400 square feet (130.1 m²) fresco representing aviation history at a hangar in Roosevelt Field, Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
., which has since been relocated to the Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology is a specialized college located adjacent to LaGuardia Airport in Elmhurst, Queens County, New York. It was founded in Newark, New Jersey in 1932, and moved to New York in 1940...
in Queens, New York.
Hofheimer married a well-known race-pilot Peter Brooks in the 1930s. The couple had no children. She died on January 7, 1963 in Palm Beach, Florida
Palm Beach, Florida
The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...
at the age of 54.
Awards
Along with the congressional gold medal, Hofheimer won several other awards and recognitions, including membership of the French national association of Croix de GuerreCroix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
for her service in the French red cross, Medaille de la Reconnaissance Francaise, was made a Chavalier de la Croix de Lorraine
Ordre de la Libération
The Ordre de la Libération is a French Order awarded to heroes of the Liberation of France during World War II. It is an exceptional honor, the second highest after the Légion d’Honneur and only a small number of people and military units have received it, exclusively for deeds accomplished...
, and received the King George VI medal
George Medal
The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
in Great Britain.
She was inducted into the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame in 2010.
See also
- YoutubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
video tribute to Aline Hofheimer.