Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale
Allan McElhiney as a sailor during WWII.
Allan McElhiney USNR, WWII & Korea
Founding Father of NASFL Museum
Historian & Photographer
Allan McElhiney was born November 9, 1925, to Allan and Ruth McElhiney in Lynn, Massachusetts. His father was a Marine who served in World War I. Allan has three brothers, all of whom served in the military, and one sister. On Allan's 17th birthday, his parents signed his papers to join the Navy, and in 1944 he would go on to serve on the USS Asheville (PF-1) a Patrol Frigate in the Atlantic, and throughout the duration of World War II on convoy duty based at Port Everglades. After WWII while in the reserves, he was called to active duty for the Korean Conflict, back aboard the USS Asheville.
After his discharge from the Navy, like many veterans who had spent time or heard tales of our area, he moved with his wife, Carolyn, and five children to Fort Lauderdale and became a wall covering contractor with contracts up and down the East Coast and also in the Bahamas. In the 1970's he joined the Navy League and became chairman of the Sea Cadet Program. In 1979, the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association was formed by McElhiney, Stephen Sedillo, Robert Rawls and Ben Langley. McElhiney has been the only President since its beginning. Their mission was to preserve one or two buildings as a Museum to be sure future generations would not forget the role Broward County played in WWII and especially the sacrifices that were made by those that served and died here and overseas. McElhiney was also very involved in the creation of Navy Park and the Lone Sailor projects. On October 3, 1992, then current President George H.W. Bush visited Building #15. Bush had lived in this building in 1943, during his training here as a pilot on TBM Avenger torpedo bombers. The President was welcomed and introduced by McElhiney, and signed the 25-foot mural, On Final Approach, painted by artist Bob Jenny.
On May 20, 1998, the Link Trainer Building #8, was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites. In December 1999, after much work and preparation, the building was moved to the current permanent location at 4000 W Perimeter Road. Restoration has continued since, led by McElhiney. He developed Parkinson's Disease and it makes it hard for him to attend to the everyday concerns of the Museum he founded, however he is there almost everyday. This Museum is the only military museum in Broward County, in the only remaining WWII military building left in this County, thanks to his efforts.
Every year December 5, McElhiney presides over the Flight 19 ceremony at Navy Park which is just below the east side of the FAA control tower at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The ceremony is open to the public. He also arranges bi-monthly luncheons and newsletters for members and guests. He has done all this for years without pay, with the help of members and volunteers. He has created a special place to visit and experience a vital part of local history and has preserved the memories of the men who helped the world during World War II.
In the course of more than 30 years Allan McElhiney has compiled a vast amount of documents, photographs, articles and artifacts for the institution he founded: Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum, a place for educating, preserving and honoring the heroes. The book "One Man's Vision" was written to relate the account of his long fight to preserve the historic Link Trainer Building-- our current Museum. Allan has been inducted as a Broward Pioneer, on December 2011, and was also awarded the Freedom Awards for 2012.
After his discharge from the Navy, like many veterans who had spent time or heard tales of our area, he moved with his wife, Carolyn, and five children to Fort Lauderdale and became a wall covering contractor with contracts up and down the East Coast and also in the Bahamas. In the 1970's he joined the Navy League and became chairman of the Sea Cadet Program. In 1979, the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association was formed by McElhiney, Stephen Sedillo, Robert Rawls and Ben Langley. McElhiney has been the only President since its beginning. Their mission was to preserve one or two buildings as a Museum to be sure future generations would not forget the role Broward County played in WWII and especially the sacrifices that were made by those that served and died here and overseas. McElhiney was also very involved in the creation of Navy Park and the Lone Sailor projects. On October 3, 1992, then current President George H.W. Bush visited Building #15. Bush had lived in this building in 1943, during his training here as a pilot on TBM Avenger torpedo bombers. The President was welcomed and introduced by McElhiney, and signed the 25-foot mural, On Final Approach, painted by artist Bob Jenny.
On May 20, 1998, the Link Trainer Building #8, was placed on the National Register of Historic Sites. In December 1999, after much work and preparation, the building was moved to the current permanent location at 4000 W Perimeter Road. Restoration has continued since, led by McElhiney. He developed Parkinson's Disease and it makes it hard for him to attend to the everyday concerns of the Museum he founded, however he is there almost everyday. This Museum is the only military museum in Broward County, in the only remaining WWII military building left in this County, thanks to his efforts.
Every year December 5, McElhiney presides over the Flight 19 ceremony at Navy Park which is just below the east side of the FAA control tower at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The ceremony is open to the public. He also arranges bi-monthly luncheons and newsletters for members and guests. He has done all this for years without pay, with the help of members and volunteers. He has created a special place to visit and experience a vital part of local history and has preserved the memories of the men who helped the world during World War II.
In the course of more than 30 years Allan McElhiney has compiled a vast amount of documents, photographs, articles and artifacts for the institution he founded: Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum, a place for educating, preserving and honoring the heroes. The book "One Man's Vision" was written to relate the account of his long fight to preserve the historic Link Trainer Building-- our current Museum. Allan has been inducted as a Broward Pioneer, on December 2011, and was also awarded the Freedom Awards for 2012.
"So many died... I feel that I should somehow keep their story alive."
--Allan McElhiney
--Allan McElhiney
H. RESOLUTION 500: As the founder of the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association (NASFLHA), Allan McElhiney's efforts caught the attention of US Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, who in Oct. 18, 2005 sponsored a bill in Congress (H. Resolution 500) honoring the 60th anniversary of Flight 19. Rep. Clay Shaw, a member of the Ways and Means Committee was the author of the resolution. You can view here the particulars of this H. Resolution 500, or download the complete file:
| Click here to download file |
Click on thumbnails to enlarge and read descriptions:
McElhiney served on this ship: the USS Asheville (PF-1) during WWIIl. Photo: National Navy Archives.
History of NASFL: One Man's Vision
This Museum began with the vision of one man, who was a sailor in World War II. Nothing in the history of the City of Fort Lauderdale had greater impact in its growth and prosperity than its Naval Air Station, which was established in 1942. After the war, returning veterans created a population explosion in the area that dwarfed the 1920's land boom. This naval base provided an important catalyst for the growth and economic expansion of South Florida. Recognizing this fact, the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Historical Association can be traced to one man: Allan McElhiney who devoted much of his life to preserve a part of its history. When the war ended, the base closed its doors and the buildings were all but forgotten. Progress was about to eradicate the past to make way for a new Airport, but thanks to the long fight of a visionary man who saw the significance of safeguarding a bygone era, a Naval Museum was established.
With more than 100 vintage images from the WWII Period. This is the inspirational story of one man who's commitment to the cause of preservation has encouraged many to look into our past, to safeguard our future.
The book is available in Softcover for $16.99 and Hardcover for $24.99 from Lulu Press and it is now available at AMAZON and you can also order it from your local bookstore. All proceeds from this book will go directly to the Museum, a Non-Profit Organization.
Museum's Books | Become a Member | A Survivor's Story | A Life Twice Saved | Flight 19 | Newsletter | Online-Only Exhibits
NASFL History | Memorial | Volunteer | Media Kit | Member Spotlight | Contact | Home
NASFL History | Memorial | Volunteer | Media Kit | Member Spotlight | Contact | Home
