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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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Emmett, Thomas R., Jr.

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  • Emmett, Thomas R., Jr.

Thomas R. Emmett, Jr.

Preferred Name: Tom
Date of Birth: October 19, 1939
Highest Military Grade: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel
Hometown: Argyle, IA
Headed West Date: December 25, 2014
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West

“As a pilot flying the F-100 in the 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tom flew over 300 combat missions in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Amazed that an Iowa farm boy could be paid to fly airplanes, he continued his services in the Colorado Air National Guard (Buckley AFB) and as a pilot for United Air Lines. Following a career of 34 years, he retired in 1999, captain, 747-400. Tom was an avid trap shooter, hunter, gun enthusiast and along with his wife, Marie, raised and raced horses. He was a member of the Berthoud Gun Club, American Legion Post #67, and the Super Sabre Society.” (1)

Source: (1) Https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timescall/obituary.aspx?pid=173623643#sthash.VaDtZPkQ.dpuf

Units Assigned

  • 1959-1980 COANG
  • 1968 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron, COANG, Phan Rang AB, Vietnam (F-100)

 

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross

Flight Info

F-100 – 300 missions

Military & Civilian Education

Thomas R. Emmett, Jr., LtCol USAF, Ret., “Headed West’ on December 25, 2014.

Tom headed west early  on 12/25/2014 after a bout with Colon Cancer at 75. He is survived by Marie his spouse of 47 years. Tom was a member of the CO ANG, and deployed to Phan Rang AB, Vietnam it time for TET 1968. The 120th TFS was activated in 1968 and with the rest of his unit served a year in Vietnam.. Tom was awarded a DFC and  afterwards, he flew for United Airlines for 35 years.

His Obituary: Lt Col. Thomas R. Emmett, Jr. USAF (ret.), died peacefully on Christmas Day in his home. Born in Argyle, IA on October 19, 1939, to Thomas R. Emmett, Sr. and Mary Garretson-Emmett. Tom served in the Air Force and Colorado Air National Guard from 1959 to 1980. As a pilot flying the F-100 in the 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tom flew over 300 combat missions in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Amazed that an Iowa farm boy could be paid to fly airplanes, he continued his services in the Colorado Air National Guard (Buckley AFB) and as a pilot for United Air Lines.

Following a career of 34 years, he retired in 1999, captain, 747-400. Tom was an avid trap shooter, hunter, gun enthusiast and along with his wife, Marie, raised and raced horses. He was a member of the Berthoud Gun Club, American Legion Post #67, and the Super Sabre Society.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Dorothy Borger and Francis Craige. Tom is survived by his wife, Marie of 47 years, daughter Tracy (David) Bowers, son Thomas Emmett III (Nathaniel Brown) and daughter, Melissa Emmett. He is also survived by his siblings Clara (Leroy) Schiller, Mary Margaret (Jerry) Swinderman, John (Cheryl) Emmett and Jamie (Sandy) Emmett. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, December 30, 2014, beginning at 11:00 AM at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Cremation entrusted to Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory. – See more at:

Https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/timescall/obituary.aspx?pid=173623643#sthash.VaDtZPkQ.dpuf

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