Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
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Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF NBA: Spurs NFL: Niners MLB: Giants NHL: Penguins
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Mar 24, 2010 5:48:27 GMT 9
:salute :us_flag :salute
Retired Air Force command pilot astronaut dies RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFRNS) – Retired Maj. Gen. Robert M. White, an aviation and aeronautical pioneer, died March 17 at age 85. On July 17, 1962, then-Major White flew the X-15 to an altitude of 314,750 feet, or 59 miles, becoming the first "winged astronaut," according to NASA. He was the first to fly at Mach 4, Mach 5 and Mach 6; and he was the first to fly a winged vehicle into space. General White’s Air Force biography states he was born in New York City in 1924, and entered active military service in November 1942 as an aviation cadet. He received his pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant in February 1944. During World War II he served with the 355th Fighter Group in the European Theater of operations, where he flew P-51 aircraft from July 1944 until February 1945 when he was shot down over Germany on his 52nd combat mission. He was captured and remained a prisoner of war until his release in April 1945. He then returned to the United States, left active duty in December 1945, and became a member of the Air Force Reserve. General White was recalled to active duty in May 1951, during the Korean War. He later became one of the initial pilots selected for the X-15 program, representing the Air Force in the joint program with NASA, the Navy, and North American Aviation. Between April 13, 1960, and Dec. 14, 1962, he made 16 flights in the rocket-powered aircraft. His July flight in 1962 set a world altitude record of 314,750 feet. This was 59.6 miles -- significantly higher than the 50 miles the Air Force accepted as the beginning of space -- qualifying General White for astronaut wings. The X-15 rocket-powered aircraft were built by North American Aviation and developed to provide in-flight information and data on aerodynamics, structures, flight controls and the physiological aspects of high-speed, high-altitude flight. A follow-on program used the aircraft as testbeds to repeatedly carry various scientific experiments beyond the Earth's atmosphere. Information gained from the highly successful X-15 program contributed to the development of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo manned spaceflight programs, and also the space shuttle program. The X-15s made 199 flights and the first aircraft X-15-1, serial number 56-6670, is now located at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington. A command pilot astronaut, General White retired from the Air Force in February 1981. For his achievements in the X-15 aircraft, General White received the Harmon International Aviators Trophy, the Collier Trophy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Distinguished Service Medal. (Courtesy of NASA) For accompanying photo, click here. For complete biography, click here
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