Page 28 - Nov2024Communicator

LEGENDS AF Museum

AND display
in the works for

LORE Maj Gen Squier

By AFCATCA Historian, Ken Reiff Because we were unable
(Historian Notes: In June 2023 and to find surviving family
November 2023 I presented articles on Maj members, we contacted
Gen (deceased) George Owen Squier. the Lapeer County, MI,
This article covers additional information Board of Commissioners to
concerning General Squier and our accept his eagle.
Association’s interface with the National Leslie McCormick, Col
Museum of the Air Force.) (Ret) Jay Adsit and I
Maj Gen George Owen Squier was a well- traveled to Lapeer to present
known scientist, soldier, military strategist, the eagle to the Board.
electrical communications expert and inventor, As part of the
aeronautical pioneer, diplomat, and activities, we held a
philanthropist. He rose from humble beginnings question-and-answer
in Michigan to the position of Chief Signal session and were
Officer of the US Army. He led the effort in surprised by
World War I to equip the United States and its questions about
allies with American-made airplanes and General Squier
engines, an effort which started slowly but at the from folks who
time of the Armistice was rapidly being realized. had visited the
He also equipped American forces with modern National Museum of the Air Force. They
communications. suggested that with all that he had accomplished
As an inventor he is not well known compared in electronics and aviation that he was not
to Alexander Graham Bell and the Wright acknowledged in the museum.
Brothers, yet his inventions in communications During the session we were introduced to
technology are fundamental to today's telephone Darlene Johnson, who with her group, had been
system. working for eight years to fund a statue of
Our Association inducted General Squier into General Squier in his hometown of Dryden, MI.
our Hall of Honor and nominated him to the Funding was nearly complete and a contract to a
Cyberspace Operations and Support Hall of sculptor was imminent.
Fame. He was inducted in May 2024. Our group felt that we needed to further
research the museum issue. With the help of our
Chairman Emeritus, Lt Gen (Ret) Harry
Raduege, we were able to obtain a meeting with

Visiting with Jillian Clark and
Col Ken Reiff, left, and Col Sue Lowney, who traveled to
Jay Adsit at statue VA to accept Gen Squier’s Hall
dedication in Michigan. of Fame eagle. Statue dedication in Michigan.

28 November 2024 Communicator