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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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Williamson, James E.

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  • Williamson, James E.

James E. Williamson

Preferred Name: Jim
Date of Birth: November 7, 1929
Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Houston, TX
Headed West Date: October 13, 2016
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West
Album

Jim Williamson was “commissioned in 1951 as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S.A.F. and became a career jet fighter pilot with a combat tour in Korea and two in Vietnam.

He retired from the Air Force in 1979 with the rank of Colonel. He flew over 600 fighter combat missions, receiving three Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars w/valor, 25 Air Medals and numerous other medals and ribbons.

Upon returning home from Korea, he completed his degree from Baylor University in 1954. While on active duty, he completed his law degree from South Texas Law School in 1963, (passing the Texas State Bar in 1962), and a Masters from the University of Oklahoma in 1977. Along with being a total sports fan and a dedicated fighter pilot, he was also an avid golfer, getting his first hole in one at age 10 at Hermann Park and adding 4 more holes in one later in life.”(1)

Jim says that “After Retirement – I coached Football and taught Science in Irving, Texas. Married the TEXANG Commander’s Secretary (BG Noel Didear) in 1961.”

Source:(1) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/dfw/name/james-williamson-obituary?id=17567366

Units Assigned

  • 1952 116 Fighter Bomber Wing, Misawa AB, Japan (NR Personnel)
  • 1952 429th Fighter Bomber Squadron, Kunsan AB, Korea, NR, (Adjutant)
  • 1953 8th Fighter Bomber Squadron, Kunsan AB, Korea, NR, (Adjutant)
  • 1953-1963 111 Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Texas ANG (F-86D, F-86L, F-102)
  • 1963-1965 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Cannon AFB, NM (F-100D)
  • 1965-1968 77th Tactical Fighter Squadron RAF Wethersfield, England (F100D)
  • 1968-1969 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phan Rang, RVN (F-100D)
  • 1969-1970 Pentagon (T-33)
  • 1970-1971 1st Composite Wing, Andrews AFB, MD (T-33, T39)
  • 1971 (Summer) Training, England AFB, LA (A- 37)
  • 1971-1972 Ops Officer, Air Force Advisory Group, Da Nang, RVN (A-37/ UH1H/O-1)
  • 1972-1975 SAC Headquarters, Chief of Legal Department, SAC Personnel
  • 1975-1977 Dyess AFB, TX, DCR
  • 1977 -1979 University of Arkansas, AFROTC, Commander
  • 3/1/1979 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star
Bronze Stars with Valor Device (2)
Air Medal
Air Medal (25)

Flight Info

F-86D
F-86L
F-102
F-100D
T-33
T-39
A- 37
UH-1H
O-1

600+ Combat missions

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1956-1957 UPT, Bryan AFB, TX, Class 57N
  • 1957  TX ANG Student, Perrin AFB, Texas F-86 CCTS
  • Air Command and Staff-(Correspondence)
  • ICAF-(Correspondence)
  • Air War College-(Correspondence)

Civilian Education:

  • 1951 BS, Baylor University
  • 1977 MA, Oklahoma University
  • 1962 JD, South Texas Law School
  • 1962Passed Texas State Bar

James E. Williamson, Col USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on October 13, 2016.

Colonel James E. (Jim) Williamson of Richmond, TX, “flew his last flight” on October 13, 2016. He was born in Houston, TX on November 7, 1929 and graduated from Lamar High School in 1947. He was commissioned in 1951 as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S.A.F. and became a career jet fighter pilot with a combat tour in Korea and two in Vietnam.

He retired from the Air Force in 1979 with the rank of Colonel. He flew over 600 fighter combat missions, receiving three Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Bronze Stars w/valor, 25 Air Medals and numerous other medals and ribbons. Upon returning home from Korea, he completed his degree from Baylor University in 1954. While on active duty, he completed his law degree from South Texas Law School in 1963, (passing the Texas State Bar in 1962), and a Masters from the University of Oklahoma in 1977. Along with being a total sports fan and a dedicated fighter pilot, he was also an avid golfer, getting his first hole in one at age 10 at Hermann Park and adding 4 more holes in one later in life.

He was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, soldier, patriot, fighter pilot and loyal friend. He was preceded in death by his parents William Carey and Ruth Williamson of Houston; brothers, Carey Williamson Jr. of Tyler, and Jack Williamson of Cherry Hill, NJ. He is survived by his loving wife of over 55 years, Ann (Howard) Williamson of Richmond, TX; son, J. D. (David) Williamson and wife Tammie of LaPorte; daughters, Ruth Williamson and husband Ben Bennett of Lake Whitney, Linda Kay Kirby and husband Bob of Phoenix, AZ and Robbie Pape of Houston; grandchildren, Samantha Pape, Tiffani Morris, Heather Allen and James Williamson; great grandchild, Kent Allen; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Col Williamson was buried at Houston National Cemetery with honors.

Source: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/dfw/name/james-williamson-obituary?id=17567366

Williamson, James E Sworn In
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