Reception, medals honor aviator

The Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington is issuing art medals commemorating pioneer American-Jewish aviator Arthur Welsh, who lived 1881-1912.

The medals are being issued in conjunction with a public reception, symposium and exhibition at 7 p.m. June 12 at the College Park, Md., Aviation Museum – almost exactly a century after Welsh’s tragic death while testing a military plane at the College Park airfield.

The event is free to the public and will feature speakers and the dedication of a commemorative sign honoring Welsh’s unique place in aviation history.

More than 40 years later this remains the only book on this specialized series of exposition, commemorative and monetary medals approximating dollar size.

The 2-1/4 inch medals, sculpted by medallist Alex Shagin, feature a portrait of the young aviator and the quote, “Welsh taught me everything I know,” from the autobiography of Henry H. (Hap) Arnold.

A maximum of 180 bronze, 150 silver-plated bronze and 50 gold-plated bronze medals are available at issue prices of $50, $75 and $100, respectively. Orders can be placed by calling (818) 225-1348.