John Ogonowski

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John A. Ogonowski (1951 - September 11, 2001) was a [[aviator|pilot],agricultural activist and a American Hero. A resident of Dracut, Massachusetts, Ogonowski was a leading figure on behalf of farming in Massachusetts, particularly for immigrant farmers from Cambodia, whom he assisted as part of the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project.

For part of his life, Ogonowski flew airplanes for American Airlines. He died on September 11, 2001, when the airplane he was flying, American Airlines Flight 11 was hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center.

It is believed that he was stabbed to death before the plane had crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Before dying, he managed to flick a switch on the aircraft's radio system to allow air traffic control to listen in on the terrorist's conversations.

A remote controlled model aircraft flying field in nearby Tewksbury, Massachusetts has been dedicated to Captain Ogonowski. An alumnus of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, the institution posthumously presented him with an honorary doctorate at the 2003 commencement ceremony at Tsongas Arena.