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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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Gundlach, Earl R.

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  • Gundlach, Earl R.

Earl R. Gundlach

Preferred Name: Earl
Nickname/Call Sign: Big E
Date of Birth: August 7, 1933
Highest Military Grade: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel
Hometown: West Bloomfield, MI
Headed West Date: September 20, 2018
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West
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Earl Gundlach’s dream was to become a jet fighter pilot, and he lived that dream as a decorated member of the United States Air Force, flying F-100 Super Sabres with the Air Force 510TFS, 612TFS. He retired as a Lt. Colonel.

The other joys of his life were his family, church, dancing, hunting, and gunsmithing.

Units Assigned

  • 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-100)
  • 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-100)

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

F-100

Military & Civilian Education

Earl R. Gundlach (LtCol USAF, Ret) “Headed West” on September 20, 2018.

Earl was born August 7, 1933, in Richmond, son of the late Elmer and Clara Gundlach.

Earl’s dream was to become a jet fighter pilot, and he lived that dream as a decorated member of the United States Air Force, flying F-100 Super Sabres with the Air Force 510TFS, 612TFS. He retired as a USAF Lt. Colonel.

The other joys of his life were family, church, dancing, hunting, and gunsmithing. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Port Sanilac.

Earl married Pilar del Pilar on June 2, 1961, in Angeles City, Philippines. She preceded him in death on August 26, 2009. He is survived by his son, Edward, and daughter, Gigi Hugo; 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Earl was also preceded in death by his sisters, Lorraine and Frances; and brothers, Lawrence and Richard.

Burial is in the Croswell Cemetery. Military Rites by the Croswell American Legion Post #255.

Gundlach, Earl R
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