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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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Whitlow, Homer

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  • Whitlow, Homer

Homer Whitlow

Preferred Name: Homer
Nickname/Call Sign: Whit
Date of Birth: May 30, 1931
Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Kress, TX
Homer Whitlow - now
Biography
Pilot Information
Album

In 1950, I was working in the Kress, TX, Post Office, selling first-class stamps for 3 cents and postcards for a penny, when a good friend came by and said he was joining the Air Force due to the Korean War. I joined with him and started my 26-year journey in the most interesting life you could imagine.

While stationed at Bitburg AB, Bob Cass (SSS) was my flight commander. What rides we had in the F-86! His replacement was Buzz Aldrin. Ed White was also in the 22nd FDS; Hoot Gibson (SSS – RIP) and Deke Slayton were in another squadron on base. Bill Creech was the leader of the Sky Blazers, Don Emingholz (SSS) was on his wing. Chuck Yeager would fly in from a nearby base and we would all join up in the Officer’s Club and listen to his stories. What a wonderful time for a young 2nd Lt.

When I was medically grounded, I thought it would be all over for a career in the Air Force. But the Chief of Military Personnel (CBPO) at McClellan AFB asked me to work for him, which I did, and started a career in Personnel.

On July 31, 1977, I retired in Lubbock from Air Force with my sweet wife Jo, and girls Denise and Elise.

I am now blessed to be part of such a great organization as the SSS with its rich personal histories, talented personnel, such great stories that they could fill a thousand books, and a roster of the best fighter pilots who made the cut from flying school.

Special thanks to the great crew we have for creating THE INTAKE; what a fascinating publication! And thanks to all military SSS members for your service to the Air Force, your dedication to your profession, and to our wonderful country.

I wish all of you the very best in your journey of life. God bless you and your sweet families. And bless all of those who continue to serve in the military for this great country!

Best regards, —Homer Whitlow

Units Assigned

  • 1951-1952 Crew Chief F-86, Nellis AFB, Three stripes, $105 a month + Room and Board (F-86)
  • 1954-1957 22nd FDS, Bitburg AB (F-86, F-100C)
  • 1957-1959 Nellis AFB FW School, Flt Instructor (F-100)
  • 1958-1959 Thunderbirds (Rt. Wing, Slot) (F-100)
  • 1959- McClellan AFB, Fighter Aircraft Flight Test Maintenance
  • 1959-Medically grounded–DNIF
  • 1959-1961 McClellan AFB, Military Personnel CBPO
  • 1961-1962 Fuchu AB, Ground Electronic Installation Agency–Personnel
  • 1962-1964 Wheeler AFB, Ground Electronic Installation Agency–Personnel
  • 1964-1965 Maxwell AFB, Air Command and Staff College
  • 1965-1967 Wright Patterson AFB, HQ. AFLC, Officer Assignments
  • 1967-1971 Randolph AFB, Computer Systems and Airman Assignments AFMPC
  • 1971-1972 Saigon, RVN, Director of Assignments, 7th Air Force
  • 1972-1973 Dyess AFB, Director of Personnel
  • 1973-1977 Offutt AFB, HQ SAC, Director of Personnel System
    7/31/1977 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

F-86
F-100 C

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1951 Basic Training, Lackland AFB, TX (Surge for Korea, lived in tents for 78 days)
  • 1951 Aircraft and Engine Mechanic school with jet engine module, Shepard AFB
  • 1953 Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Goodfellow AFB (T-6); Williams AFB (T-28 & T-33); Class 53 G, DG
  • 1964-1965 Squadron Officer School (Correspondence); Air Command & Staff College
  • 1967 Personnel Officer Course at Randolph AFB

Civilian Education:

  • After retirement, Lippert’s Business College, Lubbock Christian University BA
  • After BA, Grad work at Texas Tech University

Whitlow, Homer
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