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
Born in Baltimore Maryland in 1930, a graduate of the University of Maryland, and commissioned in the Air Force through the ROTC program, Col. William Bill Endres is a very distinguished, highly decorated Vietnam Era fighter pilot who did things his way.
Bill managed to finagle and secure elite assignments flying some of the most leading-edge aircraft of his time. These aircraft include; F94C, F102, F101B, T38, B57B, and the F100D, among many others. In fact, the F100D, tail number 440 that is on display at the Air and Space Museum, was assigned to the 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron while that squadron was under command of then Major William Endres, and was flown on occasion by Bill.
Bill started his Air Force career in 1953, within weeks of his wedding to Janet, his lovely, talented, brave and enduring wife of over 60 years.
Bill’s Air Force honors include the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit two times, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal twice. To all who know Bill, he is one of the most generous, gentle people you will ever meet. To his six children; Bill, John, Jeff, Dan, Marsan and Katy; he is a true hero in every sense of the word.
