Paul E. Richter Jr.
Aviation Pioneer, Co-Founder, TWA
Copyright 2005,
by Susan Holden Walsh
Paul Richter, 1927
"Give me enough power and I can fly a barn door"
quote Paul E. Richter
A true pioneer during the "Golden Age" of flying, Paul E. Richter played a decisive role in creating and building all aspects of commercial aviation and military air transport. From stunt pilot with Hollywood's famous Thirteen Black Cats to flight instructor to TWA co-founder and NATS Chief of Staff, Operations during World War II, Richter soared high in his 53 short years.
Born: January 20, 1896, Paul Ernest Richter, Jr., Denver, Colorado, to Margaret and Paul E. Richter, Sr.
Died: May 15, 1949, Berkeley, California
Childhood: Early years through high school in Denver, Colorado, Graduated Manual (Training) High in 1913, and subsequently moved to and managed the family ranch in Wiggins (Morgan County), Colorado.
College: Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts (now Colorado State University), 1914-15
Family: Married Daisy Cooke Richter, 1926, d. 1998, son, Paul E. Richter, b. 1930, d. 1998, daughter, Ruth Richter Holden, b. 1934
Pre-flying Career: In the early 1920's, tried his hand at ranching during the start of the "Dust Bowl," spent time as a "cub" reporter for the Denver Post, and worked in his father's advertising business, but heard the call of flying and saw a future in aviation.
25-year Aviation Career: Earned Pilot's License #309 and Air Transport License #501. Began as Pilot and Flight Instructor, Burdett Field, Los Angeles, CA, 1925-26. One of first Air Sheriffs in the world when sworn in by LA County Sheriff Dept., 1926. Air Race Ace and Winner as well as double altitude record holder, 1925-29. Charter Member, "Thirteen Black Cats" Hollywood stunt flying group, 1925-29.
Aircraft Flown by Richter Included: Jenny (JN4D, JHN), Thomas-Morse, OX-5 Eaglerock, OX-5 Standard, J-5 Eaglerock, OX Thunderbird, J4 and J5 Fokker Universal, Wasp Fokker Universal, Kinner Fleet, Hornet Fokker F-VII, Wasp Fokker F-10 Tri-motor, Daris, Monocoach, Fokker F-10-A, Northrup Alpha, Stearman J5, Ford 4 & 5AT, Fokker F-14, Lockheed Vega, Fleetster (Hornet), Northrup Alpha (Wasp), Lockheed Orion, Douglas DC-1, Northrup Gamma (Cyclone F-3), Douglas DC-2 (Cyclone F-3), DC-3, DC-4, L-12A, Stratoliner, Boeing 307, Constellation, all multi-engine military air transport planes and all commercial planes thru 1949.
Aero Corporation of California: Co-Founder with Jack Frye and Walter Hamilton, Aero Corporation of California (managed nationally certified flight schools, nationally accredited maintenance and repair facility, aeronautical design, sight-seeing flights, cross-country charter services), 1926. Vice President and General Manager of Aero Corporation and General Manager of Standard Flying School, 1926-30.
Standard Airlines/TWA: Co-Founder with Jack Frye of Standard Airlines, which became TWA (Standard Airlines merged with Western Air Express in 1930 and later Transcontinental Air Transport to become Transcontinental & Western Air in 1930), 1927. Vice President, General Manager and Pilot, Standard Airlines, 1928-30.
Hawaiian Airways Ltd.: Founding Director, 1929
Paul Richter, TWA
TWA: Transcontinental & Western Air: TWA Western Regional Operations Manager, 1931-34. TWA Vice President of Operations and Director, 1934-38. TWA Executive Vice President and Director, 1938-43. Richter and Jack Frye regain control of TWA stock, 1939. Took temporary leave from TWA to become Chief of Staff for Operations, US Naval Air Transport, 1942-45. Returned as TWA Executive Vice President, 1945-47. Resigned from TWA in 1947 (three months after Jack Frye left) in dispute with then controlling stockholder, Howard Hughes.
T.A.C.A.: Became Chairman and President of T.A.C.A. Airways of Central and South America, 1947-49.
return to top
Army: Joined the Army in 1918 during World War I as a Private, 37th Field Artillery, Camp Lewis, WA. Was literally on the dock waiting to transfer into the air corps when war ended. Graduated Field Artillery Officers Training School at Camp Zachary, KY, 1919. Commissioned Second Lieutenant, US Army Field Artillery Reserve, 1919-34.
Naval Air Transport Service: Reported to Active Duty during WWII, as Lieutenant Commander and Assistant Chief of Staff, Naval Air Transport Service, 1942. Promoted to Captain and Chief of Staff of Operations, Naval Air Transport Service, 1944. Head of the U.S. delegation and President of the International Civil Aviation Conference, Chicago, Nov-Dec. 1944; received accommodation from Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal and Adolf A.Berle, Jr. Dept. of State for his conference work. Released from active duty, November 1945. Honored with the Legion of Merit, 1946 for his instrumental role in NATS. Served on active duty, March 1948, to establish Military Air Transport through the combining of the Naval Air Transport Service and Air Transport Command; Considered to be a Founder of MATS by Major General Laurence Kuter – Commander of MATS.
Military Medals: Legion of Merit and Letter of Commendation for work with NATS; Naval Reserve Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal.
Aviation and Business Memberships and Affiliations: Quiet Birdmen (inducted 1927); Co-founder and later president, Conquistadores del Cielo; Associate Fellow, Institute of Aeronautical Sciences; Pacific Aviation Club; Reserve Officers Association; American Legion – Aviation Post; The Wings Club, Inc.; Silver Wings; Associate member, Alpha Eta Rho international aviation fraternity; Professional Pilots Association; National Aeronautical (Aviation) Association; N.A.P.A.; LA Chamber of Commerce – Aviation Committee; VP/Director of Aviation, KC Chamber of Commerce; VP/Director, New Mexico Airport Corporation; Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce; Companion of the Military Order of the World Wars; Biographical Encyclopedia of the World - under Business Leaders of America, 1939 -, Who's Who in American Aviation, 1939 -, Who's Who in the Western Hemisphere, 1942 -, Who's Who in Transportation & Communication, 1942 -, Who's Who in Commerce & Industry; Kansas City Club; Kansas City Country Club; Indian Hills Country Club, Poor's Register-Top Ranking American Business People, 1948-1949, Noted in "A Chronicle of the Aviation Industry of America," 1948.
return to top
Interests, Hobbies, Recreation: Photography, Flying, Fishing, Hunting, Swimming, Horseback Riding, Golf"
Early Altitude Record Setter:The headline for the news image below taken November 7, 1926 in front of a big Fokker trimotor, reads, “Attains Altitude of 18,000 Feet” “This is Paul E. Richter, being presented with silver cup, perpetual trophy, by Mrs Jacques Vinmont, for attaining an altitude of 18,000 feet at the air meet held recently at Clover Field, Santa Monica, Calif. An Eagle Rock plane, with Hisso motor, was used by Richter in his flight.”
None of what I have read or heard of Paul Richter mentions anything but warmth and appreciation for his comradeship and humanity. For example, this quote from the web by a past TWA employee:
"Paul Richter: A gentleman first, professional always and one of the kindest and cultivated men I have ever known. Believe initially Navy trained in the twenties. .... Died say 1952 [1949, actually] of a heart attack. A wonderful boss and a human being always."
And one of the most profound, kindest and sincere tokens of gratitude I have ever read follows in a short letter written to him by his friend and business partner, Jack Frye, on the occasion of their 20th anniversary with TWA.
