Paul E. Richter
Paul Ernest Richter Jr. (January 20, 1896 – May 15, 1949) was an American aviation pioneer, co-founder of Standard Air Lines and executive vice president of Trans World Airlines (TWA), operations chief of staff of the Naval Air Transport Service during World War II and chairman of the board, president of TACA Airlines from 1947 to 1949.
Paul Ernest Richter Jr.
May 15, 1949 (aged 53)
Airline co-founder and executive
United States of America
Legion of Merit[1][2]
Wall of Honor, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum[1]
Daisy Cooke Richter
2
Early life[edit]
Richter was born on January 20, 1896, to cattle ranchers Paul and Margaret Richter in Denver, Colorado. While growing up, Richter worked on the family ranch in Wiggins, Colorado, as a "cub" reporter for the Denver Post, and at his father's advertising agency.[1] He attended Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts for one year.[1]
Military career[edit]
Richter enlisted as a Private in the army in 1918, but World War I ended while he was still in training.[1] After the war, he was accepted into Field Artillery Officer Training and graduated in 1919, as a Second Lieutenant. Richter remained in the Army Reserves until 1934.[1]
In 1942, Richter reported for duty with the United States Navy and was made Lieutenant Commander and Assistant Chief of Staff of Operations, Naval Air Transport Service. In 1944, Richter was promoted to captain and made Chief of Staff of the Naval Air Transport Service.[1] Richter was released from active duty in 1945, and returned to work at TWA.[1] In 1946, Richter received the Legion of Merit for his work with the Naval Air Transport Service.[1]
Richter returned briefly to active duty in 1948 to help consolidate the Naval Air Transport Service with the Air Transport Command, creating the Military Air Transport Service.[13]
Death and honors[edit]
Richter died on May 15, 1949, at his home in Berkeley, California from a cerebral hemorrhage[14] shortly after he took a position with the Coca Cola Company.[6]
Richter is on the Wall of Honor at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. The University of Central Missouri has the "Paul E. Richter TWA" scholarship for aviation students.[15]