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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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Hutchinson, Donald L.

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  • Hutchinson, Donald L.

Donald Lee Hutchinson

Preferred Name: Don
Date of Birth: August 9, 1940
Highest Military Grade: 0-5 – Lieutenant Colonel
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Headed West Date: January 25, 2009
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West

“Colonel Hutchinson served his country and contributed to the advancement of aviation through a 20-year career as a USAF officer…

Attended the USAFA, graduating in 1962. Completed pilot training in T-37 and T-38 aircraft at Williams AFB, AZ, and F-100 checkout at Luke AFB, AZ. Flew the “Hun” operationally with the 48th TFW at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., with a primary mission of nuclear war deterrence, from June 1964 to December 1966.

Tabbed for duty as a Forward Air Controller in Southeast Asia (SEA) flying 0-1 and 0-2 aircraft operating from Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam. Returned stateside in April 1968 and assigned to the 474th TFW at Nellis AFB, NV, flying F-111s till July 1973, after which he attended the Naval War College. Tabbed for a second tour in SEA, serving with the 347th TFW at Korat RTAFB, October 1974 to June 1975.

Served as a staff officer for Headquarters USAF at the Pentagon, July 1975 to July 1977, after which selected for instructor duties at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, AL, August 1977 to January 1980. Once more, returned to operational duties in February 1980 with the 27th TFW at Cannon AFB, NM, as the commander of the 27th Equipment Maintenance Squadron and, in turn, commander of the 27th Aircraft Generation Squadron. Retired on 30 September 1982.

Military awards and decorations include: Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster Army Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

In retirement, Colonel Hutchinson continued to advance the cause of Aviation by active membership in the Air Force Association, Order of Daedalians, Association of Graduates of the USAFA, and last, but not least, the Super Sabre Society. In addition, he was a prolific and generous donor to multiple, aviation-related museums, both in the U.S. and abroad.” (1)

Source:(1) https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/donald-l-hutchinson

 

Units Assigned

  • 1962 Graduated USAFA
  • Pilot training, Williams AFB, AZ (T-37, T-38)
  • F-100 checkout, Luke AFB, AZ
  • 6/1964-12/1966 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, at RAF Lakenheath, England
  • Forward Air Controller, Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam (0-1, 0-2)
  • 4/1968-7/1973 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, Nellis AFB, NV(F-111)
  • 7/1973 Naval War College
  • 1/1974-6/1975 347th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat RTAFB, Thailand
  • 7/1975-7/1977 HQ USAF, Staff officer, Pentagon
  • 8/1977-1/1980 Instructor, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, AL
  • 2/1980 27th Equipment Maintenance/27th Tactical Fighter Wing, Commander, Cannon AFB, NM
  • 1982 27th Aircraft Generation Squadron, Commander, Cannon AFB, NM
  • 9/30/1982 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Silver Star
Silver Star
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal
Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
AF Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Good Conduct Medal
Army Good Conduct Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars
Vietnam Cross Of Gallantry
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry

Flight Info

T-37
T-38
F-100
O-1
O-2
F-111

Wall of Honor location: Foil: 10 Panel: F100 Super Sabre Society Column: 1 Line: 12

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1962 Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs
  • 1973 Naval War College

Civilian Education:

  • 1958 Kelly High School, Chicago

Donald L. Hutchinson, LtCol USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on January 25, 2009.

Donald L. Hutchinson, 68, a resident of Corrales since 1982, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2009. Donald was born August 9, 1940 the son of Alfred L. and Catherine Endres Hutchinson in Chicago, Illinois.

He graduated from Kelly High School in Chicago in 1958; graduated from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs in 1962; he was a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force and served two tours in Vietnam; after his discharge as a Lt Col. (Ret.) from the Air Force, he worked for Intel for eighteen years.

After he retired from Intel, his time was spent with the joys of his life, his grandchildren. Donald is survived by his wife of 46 years, Joan Hutchinson of Corrales; children, Catherine Lukes and husband Peter of Corrales, and Keith B. Hutchinson and wife Katie of Corrales; grandchildren, Sawyer Lukes, Nate and Lauren Hutchinson.

It has been suggested that memorial contributions be made in Donald’s name to the Animal Humane Association of New Mexico, Inc, 615 Virginia SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108.

Source: https://www.danielsfuneral.com/obituaries/donald-hutchinson

Wall of Honor Location

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