Henry "Hap"
Arnold
Commanding
General U.S.A.F.- FDC
Henry H.
"Hap" Arnold (1886-1950) Commanding General of the U. S. Air Force.
Born June 25, 1886 at Gladwyne, Pa. Graduated from West Point in 1907 and
a pioneer in military aviation, who in 1912 was awarded a trophy for "a 30-mile
flight." From a 2nd Lieutenant in 1907 he advanced to the highest American
rank in 1944--that of a 5-star general. He was flight commander of the
U.S. Alaska Flight of 1934; assistant chief of Air Corps, 1936-38; chief of Army
Air Corps, 1938; commanding Army Air Forces, 1942. He was raised in Union
Lodge No. 7, Junction City, Kansas on November 3, 1927, received the 32°
A.A.S.R. on April 11, 1929 at Ft.
Leavenworth, Kansas and 33°
on October 19, 1945. He died January 15, 1950.
On November 21, 1958 the Lodge at
Edwards Air Force Base, California was constituted as General Henry H. Arnold
Lodge No. 791. One year later, "Hap Arnold Lodge #457" in Shreveport LA
was organized at Barksdale Air Force Base in 1959 and chartered Feb 8th, 1960.
Below are a couple of pictures from their Feb 8th consecration ceremony.
Above: The
newly installed Worshipful Master and Junior Warden consecrate the Three Great
Lights sitting upon the altar using corn, wine and oil.
Below: At
the beginning of every great or important undertaking, Freemasons kneel for the
benefit of prayer.
