Leigh Wade; Part of First Global Flight

Leigh Wade, 94, retired Air Force major general who participated in the first round-the-world flight. Wade was a test pilot in the Army Air Corps in 1924 when he was chosen as one of four pilots to fly military biplanes around the world. His plane, the Boston, was forced down near Greenland because of engine trouble. The planes, which began in Seattle, flew at an average speed of 70 m.p.h. and an average altitude of 2,000 feet and traveled over 28 countries. Wade worked in aviation businesses between the world wars and in World War II returned to military service, commanding Batista Field in Cuba. He retired from the Air Force in 1955. In Alexandria, Va., on Aug. 31 of congestive heart failure.