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Today in History – April 5, 1962 – 1962 Neil Armstrong takes X-15 to 54,600m

Neil Armstrong and the X-15 by Bob van der Linden, Posted on Tue, July 23, 2019, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum “Released from duty in mid-1952, Armstrong returned to Purdue where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. His love of flight and engineering drew him to the National Advisory

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Brinkman, James M., III – KIA

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  • Brinkman, James M., III – KIA

James M. Brinkman, III - KIA

Preferred Name: Jim
Nickname/Call Sign: Don Juan
Date of Birth: December 26, 1940
Highest Military Grade: 0-3 – Captain
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Headed West Date: April 1, 1968
Biography
Pilot Information
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James Martin Brinkman, III was born in Memphis, TN. After graduating from high school in 1962, Jim left for the United States Air Force Academy. His cadet yearbook describes him:

“Le Creole came to Sky Blue U four years ago from the wilds and dark alleys of New Orleans. Although he was relatively new to this military jazz, he soon found many areas in which to exercise his many talents. His biting humor and personality soon became famous from CWC to Sweden. It was only a short time until it was recognized that Jim possessed a great deal of potential both military and social. In the social aspects of life, it could be said that at times, Don Juan would appear as bashful as a schoolboy, by comparison. His ambition and drive have brought him to a high degree of success as a career in the Air Force.” (1)

Capt. Brinkman was attacking enemy vehicles seven miles north of Dau Tieng and was delivering his second load of napalm when the aircraft was hit by the blast from the explosion of its own ordnance. The Super Sabre crashed immediately giving Capt. Brinkman no chance to eject.” (2)

Jim is buried in the United States Air Force Cemetery in Colorado Springs, CO. (Plot 003 E001, Memorial ID 17921647) and is honored on Panel 47E, Line 30 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

  1. Source: USAFA cadet yearbook
  2. The above narrative was written by Charles Louis Weinert, USAFA 1969

Units Assigned

  • 1962-1963 Pilot training (F-100)
  • 1963-1964, Tactical Air Command (TAC)
  • 1964-1966 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron
  • 1966-1967 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Torrejon, Spain
  • 9/7/1967-4/1/1968, 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron/3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam
  • 4/1/1968 KIA

Awards & Decorations

Purple Heart
Purple Heart
Air Medal
Air Medal – 6

Flight Info

F-100

More than 122 combat sorties prior to his death.

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • BS/International Affairs, USAFA

Civilian Education:

  • 1962 Christian Brothers High School, Memphis, TN

Captain James M. Brinkman, III – KIA April 1, 1968

During a close air support mission 40 miles northwest of Saigon, Capt Brinkman was attacking enemy vehicles seven miles north of Dau Tieng and was delivering his second load of napalm when the aircraft was hit by the blast from the explosion of its own ordnance. The Super Sabre crashed immediately giving Capt Brinkman no chance to eject.
CAPT – O3 – Air Force – Regular
Length of service 4 years
His tour began on Sep 17, 1967
Casualty was on Apr 1, 1968
In BINH DUONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, FIXED WING – PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
MILITARY DATA
Service: United States Air Force
Grade at loss: O3
Rank: Captain
Length of Service: 04
Unit: 510TH TAC FTR SQDN, 3RD TAC FTR WING, 7TH AF
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: 09/17/1967
Casualty Date: 04/01/1968
Age at Loss: 27
Location: Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Fixed Wing – Pilot
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land
Birth Date: 26 Dec 1940
Death Date: 1 Apr 1968
Gender: Male
Age: 27
Death Date: 1 Apr 1968
Casualty Country: Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
Casualty Type: Hostile – Killed
Casualty Reason: Aircraft Loss/Crash Not At Sea
Casualty Air: Fixed Wing Air Casualty – Pilot
Length of Service: 04 (NOTE: this is inaccurate, as he was in training as early as 1962)
Data Source (Original): Combat Area Casualties Current File
Tour Date Start: 1967-09-17
Air Wing: 3rd TFW
Major Command: 7th Air Force
Squadron: 510th TFS
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Brinkman Buzzards Mar68 1
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