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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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Hernandez, Humberto R. – KIA

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  • Hernandez, Humberto R. – KIA

Humberto Robles Hernandez - KIA

Preferred Name: Humberto
Nickname/Call Sign: Beto
Date of Birth: February 28, 1941
Highest Military Grade: 0-3 – Captain
Headed West Date: August 15, 1969
Biography
Pilot Information

Capt Humberto Hernandez graduated from Mesa High School in 1960. On August 15, 1969, he was taking off from Bien Hoa AB when his F-100 crashed.

Gilbert Gonzalez on the WallofFaces.org remembers “I had the pleasure of saluting Capt. Hernandez the day before his tragic accident. I remember he had a great smile as we saluted each other. I was performing guard duty at a Red Horse construction site over looking the runway at Bien Hoa Viet Nam. I heard a loud bang and I noticed an F-100 taking off on the runway.

I also watched as it turned sideways as it was going down. I saw the pilot eject and hit the ground. All the emergency vehicles went to where the plane crashed but could not get too close because of the ammunition exploding. I don’t think that anyone new that he ejected because everyone was going toward the crash site. I did not know it was Capt. Hernandez until the next day. I will never forget that day and I will never forget Capt. Hernandez or his great smile.”

Beto Hernandez had a large and loving family who still post on the WallofFaces.org to honor him. He is buried at the City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, AZ and is honored on Panel 19W, Row 42 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

To see a video honoring Capt Hernandez go to In Memory of Humberto Robles Hernandez Vietnam War Pilot – YouTube

Sources: WallofFaces; Honorstates.org;

Units Assigned

  • 1965 Laughlin AFB, TX – Received Air Force Pilot’s Wings
  • SAC, Minot AFB, ND (B-52)
  • 1969 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron/3rd Tactical Fighter Wing/ 7th Air Force Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam (F-100)

Awards & Decorations

Air Medal
Air Medal
National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Cross Of Gallantry
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
AF Good Conduct Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
US Air Force Pilot Badge
United States Aviator Badge Air Force

Flight Info

T-38
B-52
F-100

Military & Civilian Education

Civilian Education:

  • 1960 Mesa High School, AZ

Wall of Honor Location

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The mission of the Super Sabre Society is to preserve the history of the F-100 Super Sabre and the men who flew the aircraft.

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