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
Lt. Colonel Dick Arnold was born on August 10, 1940, in Pulaski, New York. After graduating from high school, he attended Purdue University and entered the United States Air Force as an Airman Basic.
During his Air Force career, Dick received his navigator’s wings as a commissioned officer, completed pilot training, and received his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from the State University of New York, master’s degree in aviation management from Embry-Riddle University, and master’s degree in political science from Auburn University.
He had a distinguished 26-year career with the United States Air Force as a pilot, flight instructor, and educator. He received many Air Force awards during his career including the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After retiring from the Air Force, Dick and his family moved to Bryan, TX, where he served as the Associate Director of Aviation for Easterwood Airport and later as an instructor at Blinn College.
Dick was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Bryan and served as a Deacon and an Elder. He was also involved with the AOPA, serving as the liaison for Coulter Field, and was active in Civil Air Patrol. He followed his life-long passion for aviation and flew his beloved Bonanza at every opportunity. Dick was also a life member of the American Legion and a member of the Veterans of Foreign War. He also had a love for hunting, shooting, and bowling.
