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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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Kerr, George H.

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  • Kerr, George H.

George H. Kerr

Preferred Name: George
Nickname/Call Sign: Shep
Date of Birth: January 31, 1932
Highest Military Grade: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel
Hometown: Henryetta, OK
Headed West Date: September 21, 2005
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West

(Information submitted by Sheps widow Wimpy Kerr) – Taken from National Air and Space Museum Wall of Honor

I met Shep while he was stationed at Lowry Field in Denver, CO serving as an upper classman ATO in 1957, while the USAF Academy was being formed In Colorado Springs, CO. Sheps tour of duty ended in the fall and he received his next assignment to Chaumont, France. He flew the F-100, we married in September and both went to Chaumont, arriving on the 8th of December. He was with the 48th FB Wing, 493rd Sq. In May 1959, Shep was chosen to show the F-100 at the Paris Le Bourget Air Show. He was there until June 27th. In February 1960, Charles De Gaulle ordered all military Americans out of France. We were sent to Lakenheath, England. We were only there a few months which ended our over seas assignment.
From there we went to Nellis AFB, NV and stayed there until September 1962.
We were stationed at Luke AFB, AZ with the 4517th Sq. While there he was sent to Eglin, FL and was one of the charter members of the Wild Weasel Squadron.
In May of 1966 it was back to Nellis AFB, NV. We were there until July 1969 when he went to Vietnam until April 1970.
In June 1970 we were transferred to Bitburg, Germany with the 53rd TFS.
August 1972 were sent to Sembach, Germany.
And again, back to Nellis AFB until his retirement in May 1976 as a Lt. Col.

Units Assigned

  • 1957 Lowry Field, Denver, Co. Served as Upper Classman ATO
  • 1957-1960 493rd Tactical Fighter Squadron/48th Wing, Chaumont, France (F-100)
  • 1960-62 Lakenheath RAF, England
  • 1960-62 Nellis AFB, NV
  • 1962 4517th Squadron, Luke AFB, AZ
  • 1966-69 Nellis AFB, NV
  • 7/1969-4/1970 Vietnam
  • 6/1970-8/1972 53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bitburg, Germany
  • Aug 72-?? Sembach, Germany, then Nellis AFB, NV
  • 5/1976 Retired USAF

Charter Member of Wild Weasel Squadron

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Air Force Combat Medal
AF Good Conduct Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Date Bar (1960)
Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA)
Longevity Service Award
Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation
AF Outstanding Unit Award
Outstanding Unit Award
Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR)
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Award

Flight Info

F-100
F-105

Military & Civilian Education

Civilian Education:

  • 1950 Henryetta High School
  • BS/Animal Husbandry, Oklahoma State University

George H. Kerr, LtCol USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on September 21, 2005.

George H. Kerr, 73, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005, at a local hospital.

George H. Kerr was born Jan. 31, 1932, in Henryetta, Okla. He spent his childhood years growing up on a dairy farm and graduated from Henryetta High School in 1950. George attended Oklahoma State University, where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry.

Following graduation, George enlisted in the Air Force to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a fighter pilot. He served several tours in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He retired after 22 years of service. George and his family moved to Hurst, where he worked in the private sector for several years before retiring in 1990.

Survivors: His wife of 48 years, Iris “Wimpy”; daughters, Jennifer and Carrie; son, Zack; and four grandchildren.

A graveside service was held on Sept. 28, 2005 in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

Published by Star-Telegram on Sep. 25, 2005.

Wall of Honor Location

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