10 June 1969: The U.S. Air Force donated the first North American Aviation X-15, serial number 56-6670, to the Smithsonian Institution for display at the National Air and Space Museum. The first of three X-15A hypersonic research rocketplanes built by North American for the Air Force and the National Advisory Committee (NACA, the predecessor of NASA), 56-6670 made the first glide flight and
“General Archer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1927. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in January 1946 and served as an aircraft mechanic until June 1948 when he entered flying training at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, as an aviation cadet. Upon graduation from advanced flying school in July 1949 at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.
After service as a flight instructor in Air Training Command for the next four years, General Archer served until August 1960 in tactical fighter units in Korea and at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. He was a member of the Tactical Air Command’s fighter weapons team at the 1956 Air Force Weapons Meet held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
General Archer received his bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Illinois in 1963, and then served as an F-106 weapon system engineer until his assignment to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in May 1966.
He attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1967-68 and, upon graduation, concurrently received his master’s degree in business administration from The George Washington University. General Archer then served his first tour at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, in the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, Studies and Analysis until June 1970, when he again joined Tactical Air Command as wing commander, 479th Tactical Fighter Wing, George Air Force Base, Calif.
This was followed by assignments as deputy chief of staff, personnel, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, and vice commander, 9th Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., until April 1974, when he was assigned as chief of staff, U.S. Support Activities Group and vice commander, 7th Air Force at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.
In September 1975, General Archer returned to the Air Staff as assistant deputy chief of staff, personnel and remained in this position until Nov. 15, 1976, when he assumed his current duty as director, Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council. In this position, he assures proper administration of the council and the functioning of the Air Force Discharge Review Board, Personnel Board, Board of Review, Physical Disability Appeal Board, Clemency and Parole Board, and the Disability Review Board. General Archer frequently serves as president of these boards and takes final action for the secretary of the Air Force on the majority of matters referred to the council; advises the secretary, chief of staff, and directorates of the deputy chief of staff, personnel of trends, and recommends policy action, when appropriate.
He is a command pilot with more than 6,400 hours of flying time. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
General Archer was promoted to the grade of major general July 1, 1974, with date of rank Feb. 4, 1972.”(1)
Source:(1) https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107854/earl-j-archer-jr/
