Skip to content

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

Read More »
Main Menu
  • Home
  • History
    • About The SSS
    • Headed West
    • Biographies
    • Today in F-100 History
    • SSS Caterpillar
    • Wall of Honor
    • F-100 Information
    • Friends of the Super Sabre
    • N. American F-100 Super Sabre
  • Galleries
  • The Intake
    • About The Intake: Journal
    • The Intake: Journal of the Super Sabre Society – Archives
  • What’s New
  • Contact

Burke, James P.

  • Home
  • Biography
  • Biographies
  • Burke, James P.

James P. Burke

Preferred Name: Jimmy
Date of Birth: March 17, 1942
Highest Military Grade: 0-4 – Major
Hometown: Hogansville, GA
james-p-burke-now
Biography
Pilot Information
Album

I began my AF career in 1964 with UPT Class 66A.  After being awarded the only F-100 assigned to my class, I attended CCTS at Luke AFB.  Four other classmates and I went directly to Vietnam as the first class to be sent to Vietnam with only training time and no operational experience.

After six months flying the Hun with the 510 TFS, the junior lieutenants were given FAC assignments in the O-1.  I was upset at being taken out of the F-100, but I must say that my FAC experience was the most rewarding of all my flying career.

I spent the next three years flying and partying in England, Wheelus, Aviano, and Cigli.  It was hard work with 50% of the time deployed for nuke alert or supporting various exercises, but most everyone considered it a great assignment.

Separation from active duty and airline flying came next.  Also, the air national guard was nice enough to let me fly their F-100’s for the next 10 years.

I was lucky enough to fly the Hun for 15 years with only two breaks of six months, accumulating over 2000 hours.  Currently, I am flying a Yak 52TW in air shows and formations with the Redstar Pilots Association.

Units Assigned

  • UPT, Moody AFB, GA (T-37, T-38)
  • CCT, Luke AFB, AZ (F-100)
  • 1966 510th TFS, Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam (F-100)
  • 1967 19 TASS, Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam (O-1 E/F/G)
  • 21 TASS, Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam (O-1 E/F/G)
  • 1967-1970 494 TFS, RAFB Lakenheath, England (F-100)
  • 1971-1974 166 TFS, Ohio ANG (F-100)
  • 1974-1980 128 TFS, Georgia ANG (F-100)

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Purple Heart
Purple Heart
Air Medal
Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters
Commanders Trophy, Moody AFB, GA, Class 66A
Outstanding Student, Luke AFB, AZ, Class 66-E-2
Top Gun, 494th TFS, Lakenheath RAFB, England
Top Gun, 128th TFS, Dobbins AFB, GA

Flight Info

F-100 C/D/F -2,000 hours
O-1 E/F/G

Military & Civilian Education

Civilian Education:

  • Masters Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

Burke, Jimmy
Album Slideshow
Slideshow
Click To View

Wall of Honor Location

Our Mission

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.

Follow Us

Copyright © 2025 Super Sabre Society
Website by: Heart and Soul Web Design
Scroll to Top