Huntingburg Airport to dedicate terminal to pilot who brought aviation to Dubois County

The man who brought aviation to Dubois County will be honored this evening as the Dubois County Airport Authority commemorates his impact and renames the Huntingburg terminal in his honor.

In 1939, Forrest “Frosty” Jones bought the strip of land that would later become the Huntingburg Regional Airport with a donation from local business owners and the Huntingburg Kiwanis Club.

The Duff native became enamored with flying after he was able to experience it at the Boonville Fair in Warrick County in 1928. Interestingly, Jones obtained his license after only seven hours total flying instruction, including four hours in Boonville.

Later, he saved up to purchase his first plane and became a stunt pilot. His aerial antics impressed a brigadier general so much that he was offered a job training pilots during World War II.

Although he was too old to join the military for the war, he flew as a contractor carrying supplies from South America to Africa.

Later, he joined Eastern Airlines flying passengers across the country.

Jones accomplished all this and more with only three years of grade school under his belt.

Tonight’s ceremony begins at 5 p.m. at the Huntingburg Airport Terminal building with a guest speaker historian Hugo Songer providing remarks about Jones’ amazing life. A memorial plaque will be dedicated during the official renaming of the building.

The public is welcome to attend.