Legendary Houston Oilman and Decorated WW II Pilot Is Honored at Lone Star Flight Museum Gala

Legendary Houston Oilman and Decorated WW II Pilot is Honored at Lone Star Flight Museum Gala

It took a lifetime, but Oscar S. Wyatt, Jr. was finally honored at the Lone Star Flight Museum’s “Broad Stripes and Bright Stars” gala, where he was showered with well-deserved accolades as the sole inductee into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. More than 400 excited family members and dear friends of Oscar and Lynn Wyatt gathered together to enjoy this momentous occasion where more than $600,000 was raised to support STEM-related programs and the museum’s educational mission.

Oscar Wyatt, once described by Texas Monthly magazine as the real “J. R. Ewing” of the Oil Business came from a life of poverty and was raised by a single mother in Beaumont, Texas. In his mid-teens, he learned to fly planes and worked as a crop duster for a nearby farm. A strong student, Wyatt was accepted to attend Texas A&M University but, in the midst of World War II, he left after a year of school in 1942 to enlist in the United States Army Air Forces as a pilot. He served honorably as a combat aviator in the South Pacific and was wounded twice during battle. By the age of 21 he was admirably decorated. After the war, he worked as a farmer to pay his way through Texas A&M and earn a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Out of college, he sold drill bits to small oil companies from the trunk of his Ford Coupe. In 1955, he took an $800 loan on his car and used it to found Coastal Corporation. The rest is history which led to the praise being acknowledged for his lifetime accomplishments.

Guests arrived to a breathtaking transformation of the Waltrip Hangar by The Events Company, which featured the B-25 at center stage with patriotic colors of red, white and blue elegantly filling the hangar. Guests were treated to a champagne and cocktail hour with delicious hors d’oeuvres and a gourmet four-course dinner while listening to the incredible Richard Brown Orchestra.

Media personality Casey Curry served as Mistress of Ceremonies and welcomed guests to this auspicious evening and introduced Houston philanthropists The Honorable & Mrs. Hushang Ansary who served as Honorary Chairs and Co-Chairs Lisa & Mark Ammerman and Carolyn & Anthony W. Hall, Jr.

The program began with a moving tribute video chronicling Wyatt’s life, accomplishments, and service in WWII. The video included congratulations from U.S. Senator John Cornyn and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. LSFM President and CEO Lieutenant General Doug Owens (retired) then officially inducted Wyatt as the only member of the Class of 2021 into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame (TAHOF). All guests rose to their feet to honor and congratulate Wyatt as Owens placed the TAHOF medal around Oscar’s neck. A timeless tribute to a timeless man.

Socially present (not previously mentioned):  Susie & Sanford Criner, Whitney & Jim Crane, Rosanette S. Cullen, Linda McReynolds, Richard Flowers & Angel Rios, Mack Fowler, Lynne & Joe Hudson, Cynthia & Anthony Petrello, Hon. Mervin Ras-Wyatt & O.S. “Trey” Wyatt, III, Bradford A. Wyatt, Dianne & Fred Burns, Steve & Joella Mach, Tony Bradfield & Dr. Kevin Black, Cynthia & Anthony Petrello, Florence & Mike Rutherford, Melissa & Michael Mithoff, Duyen and Marc Nguyen and Robert Sakowitz.