Schultz Crescent was dedicated by the Canada Lands Company on March 10, 2015, as part of their redevelopment of Edmonton’s former Canadian Forces Base (Griesbach Barracks).
Rayne Dennis ‘Joe’ Schultz was born in Bashaw, Alberta, on December 17, 1922 and enlisted in Edmonton on July 10, 1940. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Forces for more than 36 years, the last ten of which were as the Royal Canadian Air Force Director of Flight Safety.
During the Second World War, a fighter pilot, ‘Ace’, in Mosquito aircraft he had eight victories to his credit, three of which were downed on the same night. He was engaged in the defence of Great Britain intercepting enemy aircraft; and later on Allied bomber escort duties. His leadership ability and fighter successes earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar. Post Second World War he was involved in the development of several accident prevention programs which brought international credit to Canada, including work on the Flight Data Recorder Crash Position Indicators and reduction of bird-strike hazards to aircraft.
Schultz was named to the United States Air Force Flight Safety Hall of Fame in 1977; in 1978, he was awarded the Trans Canada McKee Trophy for managing one of the most successful and highly regarded flight safety programs in the western world; and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Military Merit. Over many years, in cooperation with the military and civilian agencies associated with aviation, his dedication and pursuit of excellence resulted in significant advancement in air operations generally and flight safety accident prevention programs in particular. He was inducted as a Member of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame in 1997 and retired from military service in October 1977.