Naming Terminal for Aviation Pioneer Martin
I was quite pleased to see your article (Sept. 1) “Saluting an Air Pioneer,” Eddie Martin. About 60 years ago I was a member of Naval Reserve Squadron VN3RD11, based at the Long Beach Municipal Airport.
On our weekends we would fly southward to the Santa Ana Airport to Martin’s hangar. We would take a few minutes off before returning to Long Beach. I became acquainted with Eddie Martin, who told us about the early aviation pioneering in Orange County. In those days the aircraft carriers Saratoga and Lexington were based just off Long Beach.
I was terribly disappointed when Orange County supervisors, and particularly Supervisor Thomas F. Riley, decided to officially designate the Santa Ana Airport John Wayne Airport instead of Martin Airport. John Wayne was an actor and had nothing to do with aviation pioneering.
However, I was tremendously pleased to read that Orange County supervisors are finally giving recognition to Martin by naming the terminal the Eddie J. Martin Terminal.
J.F. MARISCAL
Balboa Island
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