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This Day in History – June 10, 1969 – The X-15 gets a place in history

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

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Coughlin, Joseph A.

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  • Coughlin, Joseph A.

Joseph A. Coughlin

Preferred Name: Joe
Date of Birth: February 4, 1938
Highest Military Grade: 0-3 – Captain
Hometown: Jackson, TN
Headed West Date: January 1, 2015
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West

Joe attended Memphis State University and graduated from University of Nebraska. In 1959 he enlisted in the US Air Force Cadet Program. He served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War earning The Distinguished Flying Cross and The Air Medal. He flew 100 missions over Vietnam and 30 missions over Laos. He flew USAF F-100 Super Sabre and F-104s while in active service.

Upon being discharged Joe was hired by Delta Airlines in Atlanta, Georgia in 1967 from which he retired as Captain in 1997. In 1968 he transferred his commission to the US Naval Reserves at The Naval Air Station in Marietta, Georgia. Here he flew A-4 Skyhawks, A-7 Corsair IIs and A-6As before retiring in 1975 as a US Naval Reserve Captain.

Units Assigned

  • 1959 Aviation Cadet
  • Vietnam War (F-100, F-104 – 100 missions over Vietnam, 30 missions over Laos)
  • 1968 US Naval Reserves, Naval Air Station, GA (A-4, A-7 II, A-6A)
  • 1975 Retired as US Naval Reserves Captain

 

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal
Air Medal

Flight Info

F-100
F-104
A-4
A-7 Corsair II
A-6A

 

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • Aviation Cadet

Civilian Education:

  • Memphis State University
  • University of Nebraska

Joseph A. Coughlin, USAF, US Navy Reserves, “Headed West” on January 1, 2015.

Joseph A. Coughlin of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on January 1, 2015 in the comfort of his home and family.  He was born February 4, 1938 in Jackson, Tennessee, to Joseph A. and Virginia Castleman Coughlin.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, Josette Mieville Coughlin.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Robertson Coughlin, fondly known as “BJ”: his children by his first marriage, Corinne Bridgman (Mark), Nicole Ware (Brett) and Patrick Coughlin; his step-children, Beth Clay, Heath Clay, Leigh Maleski (Mark) and Chris Clay.  In addition there are four grandchildren, Morgan, Claire and Patrick Bridgman and Emma Maleski.  His brothers, Robert Coughlin and his family and Thomas Coughlin also survive.

Joe attended Memphis State University and graduated from University of Nebraska. In 1959 he enlisted in the US Air Force Cadet Program. He served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War earning The Distinguished Flying Cross and The Air Medal. He flew 100 missions over Vietnam and 30 missions over Laos. He flew USAF F-100 Super Sabre and F-104s while in active service.

Upon being discharged Joe was hired by Delta Airlines in Atlanta, Georgia in 1967 from which he retired as Captain in 1997. In 1968 he transferred his commission to the US Naval Reserves at The Naval Air Station in Marietta, Georgia. Here he flew A-4 Skyhawks, A-7 Corsair IIs and A-6As before retiring in 1975 as a US Naval Reserve Captain.

The family will be holding a Celebration of Life for family and friends to remember Joe. He will be cremated and interred at Arlington National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to Public Broadcasting System and/or The Catholic Charities.

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