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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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Gordon, Tommy W.

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  • Gordon, Tommy W.

Tommy W. Gordon

Preferred Name: Tommy W.
Highest Military Grade: 0-4 – Major
Hometown: Bessemer, AL
Headed West Date: February 21, 2016
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West
Album

Tommy W. Gordon severed in the USAF from Aug 1952- March 1974. He was a Retired Teammate of McDonnell Douglas with 13 years of service as of January 1991.

Prior to this “Headed West”, he was a member of the Gateway Senior Squadron, Missouri Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (since 1982) serving in the Rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was current in the Cessna 172 Aircraft with over 7100 total flight hours

Units Assigned

  • 1958, 1965 Luke AFB, AZ
  • 1966 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron/48th Tactical Fighter Wing, Lakenheath RAF, England
  • 1969 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron/3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal
Air Medal (7)
Air Force Commendation Medal
AF Commendation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Medal
United Nations Medal
Vietnam Cross Of Gallantry
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross
United Daughters of the Confederacy

Flight Info

F-100

Military & Civilian Education

Civilian Education:

  • BS/Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University
  • MS/Mechanical Engineering, Oklahoma University

Tommy W. Gordon (Maj USAF) “Headed West” on February 21, 2016.

Tommy W. Gordon, 87, was called home on Sunday, February 21, 2016. He died peacefully in his sleep at Friendship Village in Chesterfield, MO.  He leaves his beloved wife of 59 years, Jane Gordon; his daughter, son, and five grandchildren.

Born and raised in Bessemer, AL, he attended Auburn University and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He was an accomplished swimmer and was a lifelong supporter of the Auburn swim team.  He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force to pursue his lifelong dream of flying.

Shortly after, he met and married the love of his life “Janie”.  He then attended Oklahoma University where he received his Master’s in Mechanical Engineering.  Tommy spent 22 years in the Air Force traveling the world serving his country.  During that time, he served two tours in Vietnam flying the F100.  He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the South Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and the Air Medal seven times.

Upon retiring from the Air Force, he worked for The Boeing Corporation for 24 years.  He was very involved with the Civil Air Patrol, the Auburn Club, his church, The American Legion, Gardening, and spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Gordon, Tommy W
Album Slideshow
Slideshow
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Wall of Honor Location

Interview with Tommy W. Gordon (loc.gov)

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