Harry Gann in his flight suit, worn as 
an aerial photographer

     Harry Gann, a native of Alabama, grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. Like so many young men at that time, Harry developed a fascination with airplanes. He began photographing aircraft during his youth in Phoenix. During World War Two Harry served with General George S. Patton in the armored infantry. He was seriously wounded by a land mine in the Battle of the Bulge.

     While working on his engineering degree at the University of Southern California, Harry published the first of his books on aviation history. Harry has described meeting another student, Fred Buehl, who shared Harry's passion for air racing.  The two "borrowed" time from a less than challenging lab class to begin working on their National Air-Race Sketchbook.  The book covered air races, the aircraft, and the people associated with them from the 1929 Thompson Trophy to the 1949 Cleveland races.

     He achieved a mechanical engineering degree at USC and worked for several aircraft companies, including North American Aviation, before joining Douglas Aircraft Company at the El Segundo Division in  1954. At the El Segundo Division Harry did mechanical design work on control systems for the A3D Skywarrior, the F4D Skyray, A4D Skyhawk, and the F5D Skylancer.

     The company recognized an asset and Harry became Director of Information for Douglas Aircraft. In 1989 the company awarded him a new title. Company Historian. Through these positions and his involvement with AAHS, Harry offered vital support to a large portion of the aviation history projects of the last five decades. Harry Gann's name is to be found in the acknowledgement sections of a huge number of aviation publications.  Harry was known for his generosity with information, photos, drawings, and advice. He has not only been a key source in aviation history, he has been an important catalyst. He knew everybody and could make things happen.

     Harry Gann has been recognized as one of the foremost aviation photographers and has received numerous photographic awards. In 1975 he was named an honorary Marine Aviator, in 1979, an honorary Blue Angel.  In 1997 Harry was named Honorary Naval Aviator Number 24, by Admiral Jay Johnson, Chief of Naval Operations, for his work with the Blue Angels.  He served as unofficial air-to-air photographer for the flight demonstration team for a period of almost two decades beginning in 1970. Only 23 other individuals have been so honored. This award is meant to recognize persons who have made significant contributions to naval aviation.  People such as aircraft designer, Ed Heinemann: aviation artist, R. G. Smith and entertainer,  Bob Hope are among  the other Honorary  Naval Aviators.

     Since retirement from Douglas Harry was able to pursue his own writing projects. Harry was a prime mover with the MCAS El Toro Historical Foundation before he retired, and became the museum's curator after retiring. His association with the museum is thought to be an important factor in gaining certification from the USMC Commandant as a Command Museum.

     Harry Gann was a quiet, proud man. He took justifiable pride in his accomplishments and associations in aviation history. But his greatest pride was in his family. This past spring, shortly after a family celebration of Harry's 75th birthday, he brought a picture into AAHS headquarters to share. Now there was nothing unusual about Harry bringing in pictures to share.  But this one said more to me about Harry Gann than any he had shown me before. He was so proud of this picture. It was of Harry, his wife Dee, their six children and eight grandchildren.  As he showed it to us he began to tear-up. So did we. We are proud of Harry and are honored by the privilege of having known and worked with him.

  

- Tim Williams, one of Harry Gann's many friends