Henry C. Mustin
1874–1923 (age 49)
Naval Officer/Aviator
Biography
Henry C. Mustin earned distinction as one of the fathers of American naval aviation, pioneering catapult launches and the integration of aircraft with ships long before such ideas were commonplace. His early flights and insistence on rigorous training helped the Navy embrace the air as another decisive domain of combat.
Mustin continued to mentor aviators and advocate for the careful development of naval air stations, leaving an indelible mark on both sailors and pilots who followed, and his presence at Arlington reminds visitors of the legacy he shaped.