Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame

Declaration of Enshrinement

 November 10, 2016

Harlyn S. Vidovich

Harlyn S. Vidovich participated in twenty-five combat missions in China. From May 25- June 13, 1943, he joined in multiple dive-bombing, strafing, and bomber escort missions that “resulted in the withdrawal of enemy troops from a large portion of the Tungting Lake area.”  On December 5, while in the Changteh area, he was reported to have shot down his third enemy aircraft (according to 23rd Fighter Group records).  On January 18, 1944, Vidovich was assigned to lead a ferrying flight of five new P-40 planes from Kunming to Kweilin, but none of the aircraft reached their destination.  A located survivor reported that bad weather had caused everyone to crash.  Vidovich’s remains were recovered one week later.

For his role as one of the first Native Americans to fly American military aircraft in defense of America’s freedom, Harlyn S. Vidovich earned his place in the Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame. 

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Daniel K. Bubb, Director

Nevada Aerospace Hall of Fame