Donald D. Engen

From Wikispooks
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Person.png Donald D. Engen  Rdf-entity.pngRdf-icon.png
VADM Donald D. Engen.jpg
Born1924-05-28
Pomona, California
Died13 July 1999 (Age 75)
Minden, Nevada
Cause of death
plane crash
Alma materU.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Naval War College
RelativesHunter Ellis
Navy vice admiral, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, died in a plane crash

Employment.png Federal Aviation Administrator

In office
10 April 1984 - 2 July 1987

Donald Davenport Engen[1] was a United States Navy vice admiral, former Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and former Director of the National Air and Space Museum.

Career

Engen fought in World War 2 and Korea as a carrier pilot. In the 1950s he was a test pilot.

1960s-1970s

In January 1962 Engen was appointed commander of Carrier Air Group 11 and from early 1963 he was operations officer on the USS Coral Sea.[2]:30 In April 1964, he received his first command as captain of the USS Mount Katmai. He would command the ship until 31 August 1965 when he left to attend the Naval War College, in preparation for taking command of USS America.[2]:30

On 21 July 1966, Engen became Captain of USS America. During this command the USS Liberty incident took place, where Israel attacked a US intelligence ship, and America launched aircraft to engage the attackers before being ordered to recall the aircraft.[2]:30–32 In July 1967, Engen passed command of America in Valletta and he returned to the US.[2]:32

In September 1967 he received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the George Washington University.[2]:32–3 In September 1968 he was assigned to the Chief of Naval Operations and headed the Aviation Plans Branch until February 1970. He then headed the Strategic Plans Branch until June 1971, a service for which he was awarded the Legion of Merit.[2]:33 In July 1971 he was appointed commander of Carrier Division Four and was awarded a Gold Star to the Legion of Merit for his service during this period.[2]:33 In June 1973, he was appointed Deputy Commander in Chief United States Naval Forces Europe, his final command was as Deputy Commander in Chief US Atlantic Command.[2]:33

Engen retired in 1978 with the rank of Vice-admiral.[2]:33

Government career

In 1982 he was appointed to the National Transportation Safety Board. On 10 April 1984 he was appointed Administrator of the FAA and held this role until 2 July 1987. In 1996 he was appointed Director of the National Air and Space Museum, a position which he held until his death.[3]

Death

He and William S. Ivans died on 13 July 1999 when the glider they were flying broke up in flight near Minden, Nevada.[3] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.


Many thanks to our Patrons who cover ~2/3 of our hosting bill. Please join them if you can.


References

  1. https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Pages/AAB0206.aspx
  2. a b c d e f g h i Wise, James (2014). At the Helm of USS America: The Aircraft Carrier and Its 23 Commanders, 1965-1996. McFarland.
  3. a b https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/15/us/donald-engen-dies-at-75-led-space-museum.html