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
Gene Kranz says that “While awaiting F-100 aircraft delivery maintained proficiency in F-86H at Seymour Johnson AFB, NC. While in F-100 transition received overseas orders to F-86 wing in Korea. His total F- 100D time was 25:50, and he thinks that he may qualify for least F-100 time.
Kranz was Flight Director for many U.S. Space missions including the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing and the return of the Apollo 13 Crew. He is a Co-Recipient of Presidential Medal of Freedom and has been honored with awards including: National Space Trophy, John Glenn Lecturer, National Space Club, Astronautics Engineer of Year & others.
Since April of 1994, Gene has been a writer, motivational speaker, and engineering consultant, and he is the author of the book: “Failure is not an Option” which was a New York Times Best Seller, used was by History Channel for a documentary.
He has also been a military speaker for SOS Maxwell AFB in 2004-2008; the Gathering of Eagles in2004,2006,2008, and 2009; Navy PAX River; Navy Fleet Air Commanders Conference; USS Eisenhower; STRATCOM, & others.
