Alexis Felix du Pont, Jr.

Alexis Felix du Pont, Jr. (October 2, 1905 - December 30, 1996) was an American aviation pioneer, soldier, philanthropist, and a member of the prominent Du Pont family.

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, the son of Alexis F. du Pont (1879-1948) and Mary Chichester (1878-1965), he was known as Felix. He developed an interest in aviation as a boy and took up flying, something he would do well into his late eighties. He graduated from the Air Corps Flying School in 1928 and Princeton University, class of 1929. The following year, du Pont was hired as a test pilot for the Fokker Aircraft Company.

For five years, Felix du Pont worked for the family owned DuPont and for a short time became involved in the investment business. With a lifelong interest in aviation, he partnered with brother Richard to found All American Aviation Company which became Allegheny Airlines and eventually US Airways. He later was a vice president of the Piasecki Helicopter Co.

Felix du Pont Jr. married twice, first to Eleanor Hoyt and second to Marka Truesdale.

During World War II, du Pont served in the battles in the Pacific Theater. On the death of his brother Richard in a glider accident in 1943, Felix du Pont was appointed to succeed him as head of the American Glider Program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He retired from the military with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

The Chichester du Pont Foundation was incorporated in 1946 by Felix du Pont, Alice du Pont Mills, Lydia Chichester du Pont, and Mary Chichester du Pont Clark. The foundation, which remains in operation, is primarily involved in supporting youth with donations made to social service organizations for the direct benefit of children. In addition to his numerous charitable works and service on civic boards, Felix du Pont was a trustee of St. Andrew's School, founded by his father.

In the 1994 Forbes magazine listing of the richest Americans, Felix du Pont ranked #257.