Commanders of the Connecticut Wing


Lt Col Thomas H. Lockhart Served 1941 - 1944 Lived 1911 - 1992	Lt Col William T. Gilbert Served 1944 - 1946 Lived 1891 - 1965	Col Charles B. Shutter Served 1946 - 1947 Lived 1896 - 1953	Col Nancy Tier Served 1947 - 1949 Lived 1909 - 1997


Col Charles B. Shutter Served 1949 - 1953 Lived 1896 - 1953	Col Robert A. Frost Served 1954 - 1957 Lived 1907 - 1957	Col Raymond E. Drouin Served 1957 Lived 1901 - 1957	Col James F. Kavanagh Served 1958 - 1963


Col Clinton G. Litchfield Served 1963 - 1971 Lived 1907 - 1978	Col Joseph B. Witkin Served 1971 - 1977 Lived 1923 - 2002	Col Kenneth D. Faust Served 1977 - 1982 Lived 1924 - 2007	Col Howard E. Palmer Served 1982 - 1993 Lived 1927 - 1995


Col Lloyd E. Sturges Served 1993 - 1997 Lived 1936 -	Col Frederick Herbert Served 1997 - 1999 Lived 1929 -	Col Karen K. Payne Served 1999 - 2003 Lived 1943 -	Col James E. Palmer Served 2003- 2006 Lived 1958 -


Col Peter Jensen Served 2006 - Lived 1954 -

HISTORICAL NOTES

At 30, Lt Col Lockhart was the youngest person to become Connecticut Wing Commander. At 68, Col Herbert was the oldest.

Col Tier (nee Hopkins) was the niece of Lady Astor, and a prominent aviatrix in her own right. She was the Civil Air Patrol's first female wing commander.

Col Shutter served twice as Wing Commander, and died in office in late 1953. Col Frost was appointed in early 1954.

Col Frost died a few weeks after relinquishing wing command in 1957. At the time of his death, he commanded the Northeast Region's Northern District, and had been designated next in line to command the Region.

Col Drouin died in late 1957 after only six months in office. Col Kavanagh was appointed in early 1958.

Col Howard Palmer was the longest-serving Connecticut Wing Commander, with eleven years in office.

Col Payne was the first former cadet to command the wing.

Credits:

History: Col Peter Jensen
Images: Capt Audrey A. Tucker & C/2d Lt Cody A. Harris