He's somewhat more important than just the SR-71. He's the father of the entire Skunk Works project, and is also responsible for the P-38, U-2, and F-104, and had hands in at least another dozen important aircraft... and bundling them all up.. Area 51.
So yeah, he's one of the most important figures in aerospace of the last century. Billing him as 'merely' the guy behind the SR-71 is actually selling him short.
I agree 100% about Kelly Johnson.
People who think of Doug Engelbart as only "The Inventor of the Mouse" sell him extremely short also.
Google "The Mother of All Demos" and be amazed about how much he demonstrated and how much more he envisioned in 1969.
So yeah, he's one of the most important figures in aerospace of the last century. Billing him as 'merely' the guy behind the SR-71 is actually selling him short.