The Story Behind Logan Airport's Name

Logan Airport in Boston, Massachusetts, is named after Edward Lawrence Logan (1875-1939), a first-generation Irish-American, military leader, civic leader, and municipal judge. Logan served in the Spanish-American War, fought in World War I, and was a state representative and senator from South Boston. He was also an advocate for veterans' rights and lobbied for aviators to receive veteran benefits. In 1943, the Massachusetts state legislature voted to approve a $4.75 million expansion of the East Boston airport, and it was officially named after Logan in 1956.

Edward Lawrence Logan's Background

Edward Lawrence Logan, born on January 20, 1875, in South Boston, Massachusetts, was an American lawyer, judge, military officer, and politician. He graduated from Boston Latin School and enrolled at Harvard College in 1898. During his freshman year, he lived in Holworthy Hall, where his roommate was John Rankin McVey, an attorney and banker who later became a prominent figure in the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

In 1897, a year before graduating from Harvard, Logan enlisted in the 9th Infantry Regiment of the Massachusetts National Guard. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a sergeant major and seeing combat in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. After returning to Boston in 1898, he enrolled at Harvard Law School and successfully ran for a seat on the Boston Common Council, which he served on from 1899 to 1900.

In 1900, Logan was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he served from 1901 to 1902. He graduated from law school and was admitted to the bar in 1901, after which he began practising law in Boston. In November 1905, he was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate, serving from 1906 to 1907. Logan was also an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Massachusetts' 10th Congressional district in 1906.

In addition to his political career, Logan continued his military service. He rejoined the state militia in 1901 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 9th Infantry Regiment, eventually rising to the rank of colonel by 1912. During World War I, he commanded the 101st Infantry Regiment of the 26th Infantry Division in France and was promoted to brigadier general in 1921. After the war, he played a crucial role in reorganizing the 26th Infantry Division and the Massachusetts National Guard.

Throughout his life, Logan advocated for veterans' rights and lobbied for pilots to be included in veteran benefits programmes. He served as the head of the American Legion's Department of Massachusetts and as president of the National Guard Association of the United States. He retired from the Guard in 1938 and was promoted to lieutenant general in recognition of his decades of military service. Logan passed away in Boston on July 6, 1939, at the age of 64.

In honour of his distinguished military and political career, the Boston Airport/Jeffrey Field was renamed General Edward Lawrence Logan Airport in 1943. A statue of Logan was unveiled at the airport entrance in 1956 and has since been moved several times to accommodate the airport's growth.

Logan's Military Career

Logan International Airport in Boston is named after General Edward Lawrence Logan (1875-1939), a first-generation Irish-American with family roots in Galway and South Boston. Logan had a successful military career, serving as a soldier and politician.

During his senior year at Harvard University in 1898, Logan enlisted in the 9th Irish Regiment of Massachusetts when the Spanish-American War broke out in Cuba. He joined his father, Lawrence, who was a Lieutenant Colonel in the regiment. While the regiment sailed to Cuba, Edward remained stateside at Camp Dewey in Framingham, taking charge of reenlistment. The regiment suffered heavy casualties, and Lawrence nearly died of yellow fever, which also claimed the life of Edward's uncle, Major Michael O'Connor.

After the war, Logan continued his military service and political career. During World War I, he served as the commander of the 101st Infantry Regiment of the 26th Yankee Division, which was the first state regiment to cross the ocean to France in August 1917. After the war, Logan was promoted to the rank of Major General and was given command of the 26th Infantry Division of the United States Army. He played a crucial role in the post–World War I reorganisation of that unit, as well as the Massachusetts National Guard.

In addition to his military career, Logan was also active in politics and charitable endeavours. He served as a state representative and senator from South Boston and ran unsuccessfully for the Congressional 10th District in 1906. In 1907, he was appointed as a Justice of the South Boston Municipal Court. He was recognised for his charitable work, particularly with the Home for Destitute Catholic Children, and was honoured as a Knight of the Order of Malta by Pope Pius in 1929.

Logan's Political Career

Logan International Airport in Boston is named after Edward Lawrence Logan (1875-1939), a lawyer, judge, military officer, and politician. Logan's political career began in 1899 when he was elected to the Boston Common Council while still a student at Harvard Law School. He went on to serve in various political roles, including:

• Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1901-1902)
• Massachusetts State Senator (1906-1907)
• Unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for Congress in Massachusetts' 10th Congressional district (1906)
• Associate Justice of the Municipal Court for the South Boston District (1907-1932)

In addition to his political career, Logan had a distinguished military career. He served in the Spanish-American War and World War I, rising to the rank of Major General. He was also an advocate for veterans' rights and lobbied for aviators to receive veteran benefits. Logan's contributions to public service and his military accomplishments were recognized in 1943 when the Massachusetts state legislature voted to name the East Boston airport after him.

Logan's Death and Legacy

Edward Lawrence Logan, the man for whom Logan Airport is named, died on July 6, 1939, at the age of 64. His death was sudden, caused by a 'heart ailment'. Logan's funeral mass was presided over by his brother, Reverend Leo J. Logan, at the Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston.

Logan's legacy is that of a dedicated public servant and military leader. He was a lawyer, judge, soldier, and politician. He served as a state representative and senator from South Boston, and was appointed a Justice of the South Boston Municipal Court in 1907. He was also an advocate for veterans' rights, becoming president of the National Guard Association of the United States.

In addition to his political and military career, Logan was active in charitable programs such as the Home for Destitute Catholic Children. In recognition of his charitable work, Pope Pius made him a Knight of the Order of Malta in 1929.

In 1943, the Massachusetts State Legislature voted to approve a $4.75 million expansion of the East Boston airport, and in 1956, the airport was officially named in honour of Edward L. Logan. Today, Logan is remembered for his dedication to his regiment and to veterans' rights, especially for lobbying for aviators to receive veteran benefits.

Renaming Logan Airport

Logan Airport, also known as Logan International Airport, is named after General Edward Lawrence Logan, a 20th-century soldier, politician, lawyer, judge, and military officer. Logan Airport was opened in 1923 and was mainly used by the Massachusetts Air National Guard and the United States Army Air Corps.

Over the years, there have been suggestions to rename Logan Airport after other notable figures. One such suggestion has been to rename the airport after Celtics legend Bill Russell. This proposal has received mixed reactions, with some people supporting the idea as a way to honor Russell's sporting achievements and civil rights advocacy, while others oppose it to avoid dishonoring General Logan.

Another suggestion has been to rename the airport after Tom Brady, highlighting his sporting achievements. However, some people believe that airports should be named after presidents, civil rights leaders, or war heroes instead of athletes.

Some people have also suggested finding other ways to honor Bill Russell without renaming the airport, such as renaming the Boston Garden or creating a civil rights agency or institute in his honor. Additionally, there are concerns about the logistical implications of renaming the airport, including the potential need for private businesses and corporations to rebrand and the disruption caused by changing signage and other materials with the airport's name.

The debate around renaming Logan Airport highlights the complexities of honoring notable figures while also preserving historical context and avoiding the erasure of previously honored individuals.

Overall, the discussion on whether to rename Logan Airport remains ongoing, with various proposals and perspectives being considered by the relevant authorities.

Frequently asked questions