ALABAMA AVIATION HALL OF FAME
JOHN A.S.A. ROUNTREE Jr.
The career of this recipient spans two world wars and more than 30 years service as Director of Aeronautics, State of Alabama. His total years of aviation service extend over a period of more than half a century.The late John A.S.A. Rountree Jr. was born in Birmingham, Alabama, near the turn of the century. After high school he attended the University of Alabama and Georgia Tech. He participated in track and was manager of the track team.
During World War I he served in France where he trained to become a pilot in the French air corps. He later transferred and flew with the United States Air Service. He served overseas again during World War II. Prior to becoming the Director of Aeronautics,State of Alabama, he served as a reporter and sports editor of the Birmingham Age Herald. He later had his own publication. While serving the Department of Aeronautics he developed the Alabama Airport Program for small cities. This program was considered to be one of the country's most outstanding and ambitious development programs, and was used as a model by many other states. In 1965 the New Hartselle, Alabama, municipal airport was named Rountree field by unanimous action of the city council in appreciation for his long service in aviation.Not only did A.S.A. Rountree have years of active military service, he also devoted a number of years of peacetime service to the Civil Air Patrol. He was commander of the Alabama Wing.
His service to the nation and to his native state has been recognized many times by many groups over the years. He was president of the national association of state aviation officials and as an officer in the National Aeronautics Association; the OX-5 club of America; the Alabama flying farmers association; and the Birmingham Retired Officers Association. He served as chairman for the dedication of the Birmingham municipal airport in 1931. He was active in the organization of the Birmingham National Air Carnival and served as its Director in 1931 and 1932. He was Aeronautics Chairman for Alabama for the American Legion for 15 years, and he was Aviation Officer for Civil Defense in Alabama for 15 years. He was a founder member of the order of Daedalians; the Society of Airway Pioneers, the Order of Silver Wings. A.S.A. Rountree worked with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the American Association of Airport Executives, National Aero Club, National Aerospace Education Council, Southeastern Airport Managers Association, and the Birmingham Aero Club. his certificates, citations, and awards include those from the society of airway pioneers, the Civil Air Patrol, the OX-5 club, the Air Force Association, the Birmingham Aero Club, the American legion, and others too numerous to mention.
A.S.A. Rountree, Jr.is listed in who's who in world aviation, who's who in the south and southwest, and in the library of American Lives. He has been recognized nationally for the work he has done for aviation in Alabama, and is highly deserving of the honor bestowed upon him by this induction into the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame.
During World War I he served in France where he trained to become a pilot in the French air corps. He later transferred and flew with the United States Air Service. He served overseas again during World War II. Prior to becoming the Director of Aeronautics,State of Alabama, he served as a reporter and sports editor of the Birmingham Age Herald. He later had his own publication. While serving the Department of Aeronautics he developed the Alabama Airport Program for small cities. This program was considered to be one of the country's most outstanding and ambitious development programs, and was used as a model by many other states. In 1965 the New Hartselle, Alabama, municipal airport was named Rountree field by unanimous action of the city council in appreciation for his long service in aviation.Not only did A.S.A. Rountree have years of active military service, he also devoted a number of years of peacetime service to the Civil Air Patrol. He was commander of the Alabama Wing.
His service to the nation and to his native state has been recognized many times by many groups over the years. He was president of the national association of state aviation officials and as an officer in the National Aeronautics Association; the OX-5 club of America; the Alabama flying farmers association; and the Birmingham Retired Officers Association. He served as chairman for the dedication of the Birmingham municipal airport in 1931. He was active in the organization of the Birmingham National Air Carnival and served as its Director in 1931 and 1932. He was Aeronautics Chairman for Alabama for the American Legion for 15 years, and he was Aviation Officer for Civil Defense in Alabama for 15 years. He was a founder member of the order of Daedalians; the Society of Airway Pioneers, the Order of Silver Wings. A.S.A. Rountree worked with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the American Association of Airport Executives, National Aero Club, National Aerospace Education Council, Southeastern Airport Managers Association, and the Birmingham Aero Club. his certificates, citations, and awards include those from the society of airway pioneers, the Civil Air Patrol, the OX-5 club, the Air Force Association, the Birmingham Aero Club, the American legion, and others too numerous to mention.
A.S.A. Rountree, Jr.is listed in who's who in world aviation, who's who in the south and southwest, and in the library of American Lives. He has been recognized nationally for the work he has done for aviation in Alabama, and is highly deserving of the honor bestowed upon him by this induction into the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame.
Asa Rountree, Jr., Mayor John Reynolds, Governor George Wallace, and Reverend Milton Hamon at the Rountree Field dedication in Hartselle, Alabama.