When you are giving a proper name to a hangar that been on NAS Whidbey Island since 1955 and housed P-2V Venturas, EA-6B Prowlers and now EA-18G Growlers, it better be a good one.

On Aug. 5, Hangar 5 officially was renamed Haviland Hangar to honor the second commanding officer of this air station, Cmdr. Willis B. Haviland. Haviland was a decorated naval aviation pioneer and combat pilot who served with distinction in World War I and World War II. He was an active player in the early “slingshot Navy” development of carrier aviation. More importantly, he was the officer in charge of construction who built the air station in early 1942 and later commanded the air station in 1943 and 1944.

So it was fitting that the three men who spoke about Haviland, current NAS Whidbey Island commanding officer Capt. Gerral David; Commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet and current occupant of the hangar, Capt. Tom Slais, Jr., and Haviland’s grandson, Willis H. Lamm, all spoke about the man’s past as well as the Navy’s future.

Just as it was fitting that part of the Navy’s future, a new EA-6B Growler rested behind the three men as they spoke.

David spoke about Haviland’s past, how in 1915 he joined the American Field Service and drove an ambulance on the Alsace front for 17 months. And later, when America entered World War I in 1918, Haviland joined the Navy and commanded the Naval Air Station Porto Corsini, Italy, defending it against Austrian attacks, flying a tiny Macchi M.5 seaplane and leading sorties against the Austro-Hungarian fleet.

“He’d fly over his target, drop the bomb, then grab his camera, roll the plane over and take pictures of the bomb hitting the target,” David said. “I’m not sure how he was steering the plane because they sure didn’t have autopilot back then.

“I’m proud to be putting his name on this hangar,” said David, explaining that Haviland won the Navy Cross for his contribution in World War I. “There is no doubt in my mind that we are walking in the footsteps of heroes.”

In 1919, Haviland was sent Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as a flight officer to the USS Texas (BB 35) after proposing launching aircraft from battleships. He came up with 40 foot-long deck supported by the barrels of the number 2 gun turret. He’d rev up his Sopwith Camel to redline, cables would be released and off he’d go. The beginning of carrier aviation was born.

Slais called him a great warrior in the Great War and visionary. His experiments on the USS Texas were an important first step which ultimately paved the way to allied victory in World War II. The development of the aircraft carrier proved to be the great equalizer against a superior Japanese Naval Force at the Battle of Midway, and turned to tide enabling the United States to regain the initiative in the war of the Pacific.

“Instead of 40 feet of planks and timbers lashed to the gun turret of a battleship we have the Nimitz Class Carrier which is 1,100 long with four and a half acres of American diplomacy that can sail and operate from the sea anywhere in the world,” said Slais. “We may not be where we are today if not for the profound vision, uncommon initiative, courage and ingenuity of Commander Willis B. Haviland.”

Haviland’s grandson recalled when his grandfather was in charge of operations at NAS Porto Corsini but not in a flying billet according to his orders. The young pilots were getting roughed up by veteran Austrian pilots so the Haviland joined the unit, taking the lead and diving into the center of the formation with guns blazing. His men followed and the Austrians fled. The battle that day was won.

Once the hangar dedication was official, speakers and guests walked to the CVWP Quarterdeck to view the foyer walls which now display vintage photos of Haviland’s career and glass cases hold unique aviation memorabilia. Tom Slais, a summer hire, currently attending the University of Washington and working with the NAS Whidbey Island Installation Program Analyst, coordinated the dedication ceremony and designed and executed the lobby exhibit.

A picture of a mustachioed Haviland in choker whites wearing a leather helmet and goggles and holding a cigarette taken in Cuba in 1919 takes center stage. Resting next to the actual goggles he wore, there is no doubt that we really “are walking in the footsteps of heroes.”