More detail on this person: Holbert, Donald L.
USArmy Flight Class: 63 - 1T, RVN: 240 AHC,
Gun Platoon Leader, '67 - '68, Callsign: Mad Dog
6
Donald "Don" L. Holbert, one of Arkansas' great
aviation pioneers, died September 27, 2015 in
Little Rock, Arkansas. Born on March 6, 1940 in
Little Rock to Claud and Gladys Holbert, Don was a
distinguished aviator who dedicated his entire
life to his passion, aviation. His father began
Central Flying Service, Little Rock, in 1939 where
he instilled in Don a great love of aviation from
a very young age. Don soloed the day following his
16th birthday, and by age 20 he received his
instructor's license and began teaching at the
family business.
A graduate of Wentworth Military Academy,
Lexington, Missouri, in 1957 and Ouachita Baptist
University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, in 1961, Don
was a distinguished ROTC graduate and won many
medals for his championship marksmanship.
Following his education, Don received a
commission with distinction in the U.S. Army where
he rose to the rank of Captain. He was a platoon
leader and gunship helicopter pilot in Vietnam
earning the Distinguished Flying Cross with "V"
device for Valor, the Bronze Star, 32 Air Medals
and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
He returned stateside in 1968 and continued his
career in aviation at Central Flying Service that
spanned 60 years. Don helped to establish
Arkansas' first medical transport helicopter in
1985. The helicopter, a Bell 206, known today as
"Angel One" provided critical care transport to
pediatric patients across Arkansas and surrounding
states.
His father, who was a pilot himself, taught Don
the skills to be an expert aerial photography
pilot. His ability to fly while holding the
aircraft incredibly steady earned Don the rights
to some very interesting assignments. Among
them, on June 11, 1977, Don was the pilot of a
Bell Jet Ranger helicopter for NBC's national news
crew covering the escape and capture of James
Earl Ray, the alleged killer of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Ray was captured two days later and
returned to prison. Another assignment, Don was
called upon to fly the national news crew for CBS
on August 18, 1975 to cover the funeral of Elvis
Presley in Memphis, Tennessee. CBS entrusted
Don and his steady abilities to navigate through
the media frenzy, which earned CBS top coverage
of the event.
Don served as board member to the National Air
Transportation Association, an organization that
represents general aviation interests in
Washington, D.C. He was currently serving on the
Board of Visitors, Wentworth Military Academy, and
the Executive Advisory Board of the School of
Business at Ouachita Baptist University. Don was a
founding member of the Arkansas Aviation
Historical Society and inducted into the Arkansas
Aviation Hall of Fame in 2006.
Don obtained an Airline Transport Pilot Rating
with privileges in single and multi-engine
airplanes and Lear jets. He accumulated 5,000
flying hours, half in fixed wing aircraft and half
in helicopters. He was co-owner and Chairman of
the Board of Central Flying Service, Inc. until
his death.
Don was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed
traveling the world with the love of his life,
Linda. They enjoyed spending weekends at their
house on the Little Red River, a trout fishing
stream near Heber Springs, Arkansas. He also
loved restoring antique cars, namely a '51 Chevy
2-door hard top and a '54 Chevy Belair. Taking the
cars to Antique Car Shows, Don won numerous
medals for his restoration skills. He was a
philanthropic man and a member of many
organizations who silently and generously donated
to most all of them.
He is survived by wife of 54 years, Linda Vail
Holbert, his son Steve, daughter-in-law Susan,
granddaughter Hayden, and one brother Richard, all
of Little Rock, a cousin, five nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents and sister,
Claudette Stewart.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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