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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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Miles, Kenneth P.

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  • Miles, Kenneth P.

Kenneth P. Miles

Preferred Name: Ken
Date of Birth: February 29, 1928
Highest Military Grade: 0-8 – Major General
Hometown: Capitol Heights, MD
Headed West Date: April 27, 2014
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West
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General Miles was born in Capitol Heights, Md., in 1928. He graduated from John Marshall High School, Richmond, Va. He has a bachelor of science degree from the University of Oklahoma and a master of science degree from Stanford University, Calif., both in electrical engineering. He graduated from the Defense Weapons Systems Management School, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, in 1968, and from the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa., in 1970.

General Miles entered the aviation cadet program and received his pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., in September 1949. He then served as a flight instructor at several bases in Texas before he was assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., in July 1953, flying F-80 and F-86 aircraft.

In March 1954, General Miles was transferred first to the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in Korea, and then to the 4th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in Japan, flying F-86s as flight commander.

He returned to the United States in August 1956 and was assigned as a flight commander flying the all-weather F-86D, then as plans and requirements officer with the 3556th Pilot Training Wing at Perrin Air Force Base, Texas. During this assignment, General Miles participated as a primary firing aircrew member of the Air Training Command Weapons Team at the first Air Force Worldwide Weapons Meet (Project William Tell, 1958).

General Miles then joined the Nike-Zeus and, later, the Advanced Ballistic Re-entry Vehicle System Office, AFSC, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., where he served as project officer, test director and missile site commander in the Atlas Test Operations Branch. He entered Stanford University in the Air Force Institute of Technology program in June 1964 and received his master’s degree in electrical engineering in July 1966.

He returned to flying duties in August 1966 as an F-100 pilot at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., and deployed to the Republic of Vietnam in March 1967, serving as commander of the 614th Tactical Fighter Squadron, TAC, at Phan Rang Air Base. During this tour of combat duty he flew 337 missions in the F-100.

In April 1968, General Miles returned to the United States and attended the Defense Weapons System Management School at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He then assumed duties as deputy director of the Airborne Warning and Control System program office at L.G. Hanscom Field, AFSC, Mass. He left AWACS in July 1969 to attend the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa.

In August 1970, he was assigned to the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, TAC, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., first as vice commander and then as commander. Under his command the unit became the first combat-ready F-111 wing in the U.S. Air Force.

Moving to Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y., in August 1972, General Miles assumed command of the Northern Communications Area, AFCS. In July 1974, he assumed command of the European Communications Area, AFCS, at Lindsey Air Station, Germany, with additional duty as deputy chief of staff, Communications-Electronics for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

In June 1975 he was named deputy for control and communications systems, Electronic Systems Division, L.G. Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.

General Miles assumed his present duties as chief, MAAG, Iran, in March 1976.

His military decorations and awards include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with 16 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Emblem, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with Combat “V” and three oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with seven stars.

Units Assigned

  • 9/1949 Aviation Cadet program, Vance Air Force Base, OK
  • 1949-1953 IP Pilot, Several bases
  • 7/1953 Pilot, Nellis, AFB, NV (F-80, F-86)
  • 3/1954 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Korea (F-86)
  • 4th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Flight commander, Japan (F-86)
  • 8/1956 3556th Pilot Training Wing, Flight commander/Plans and Requirement Officer, Perrin AFB, TX (F-86D)
  • 1958 Primary firing aircrew member of the Air Training Command Weapons Team at the first Air Force Worldwide Weapons Meet (Project William Tell, 1958).
  • AFSC Nike-Zeus/Advanced Ballistic Re-entry Vehicle System Office, project officer, test director and missile site commander in the Atlas Test Operations Branch. Vandenberg AFB, CA 6/1954-7/1966 Stanford University/Air Force Institute of Technology Program in June 1964 (MS/Electrical Engineering)
  • 8/1966 F-100 pilot, Cannon AFB, NM
  • 3/1967 614th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Commander, TAC, Phan Rang AB, Vietnam (F-100 – 337 missions)
  • 4/1968 Defense Weapons System Management School, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH
  • 1968 Director of the Airborne Warning and Control System program office,L.G. Hanscom Field, AFSC, MA
  • 7/1969 to attend the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA
  • 8/1970 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, TAC, Vice commander/Commander, Nellis AFB, NV (F-111)
  • 8/1972 Commander, Northern Communications Area, AFCS Griffiss AFB, NY
  • 7/1974 Commander, duty as deputy chief of staff, Communications-Electronics for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe.European Communications Area, AFCS, Lindsey Air Station, Germany, with additional
  • 6/1975 Deputy for control and communications systems, Electronic Systems Division, L.G. Hanscom AFB, MA
  • 3/1976 Chief of the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group, HQ Tehran, Iran

Awards & Decorations

Silver Star
Silver Star
Michigan National Guard Legion Of Merit Medal Ribbon
Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf cCluster
Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
Air Medal
Air Medal with 16 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal,
Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation
AF Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with Combat “V” and 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
Combat Readiness Medal
Combat Readiness Medal
Vietnam Cross Of Gallantry
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with 7 Stars

Flight Info

F-100
F-111

Command pilot

F;ight Hours: 6,500+ hours

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1968 Defense Weapons Systems Management School, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
  • 1970 Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA

Civilian Education:

  • John Marshall HS
  • BS/Electrical Engineering, University of Oklahoma
  • MS/Electrical Engineering

Kenneth P. Miles, MGen USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on April 27, 2014.

Major General Kenneth P. Miles passed away Sunday, April 27, 2014, from prostate cancer, in his Palm Desert, Calif. home with his loving wife, Karen and close family members around him. He was born on February 29th, 1928, to James and Irene Miles in Capital Heights, Md.

After graduating from John Marshall High School in Richmond, Va. he enlisted in the Navy at a young age, but soon found his calling as an aviation cadet. He was commissioned and received his Air Force pilot wings in 1949, always having dreamed of flying. During his time in the Air Force, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Science degree from Stanford University.

Ken bravely served his country in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, flying over 337 combat missions in the F-100 fighter jet in Vietnam. He enjoyed many loyal Air Force friends and comrades – and was known fondly by his squadron as “The Show Dog.” Ken was a command pilot with over 7,000 hours of flying time.

His military decorations and awards include the Silver Star (the third-highest honor given to military members for valor in combat), Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with 16 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Emblem, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with Combat V and three oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with silver star and two bronze stars.

(To learn more about his Military Service, please see http://1.usa.gov/1jZK1Zv.) He followed his military career with further accomplishments in aerospace, leading ARGOSystems, a high-tech electronics firm with his fellow Stanford alumni, to great commercial success. He was instrumental in its successful merger into the Boeing Company and continued as President of ARGOSystems, and as a Senior Executive of the Boeing Company, until his retirement in 1991.

Ken and Karen moved to the Coachella Valley in 1997 where he became involved in community service and philanthropy. He was active on the Palm Springs Air Museum Board, with the Aviation Science Center dedicated in his name, served on the McCallum Theater’s Board of Trustees, and contributed to the Buddy Rogers Youth Symphony. He has been celebrated as Korean and Vietnam War Veteran through a number of patriotic honors, including the California Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor, and the California 42nd Assembly District Veteran of the Year.

General Miles is survived by his devoted wife Karen, who was the love of his life. He treasured his three children and their family — retired Col. Ross Miles and his wife Karen of San Antonio, Texas; Douglas Miles of San Francisco, Calif.; and Wendy Miles-Brower and her husband, Charles Brower, of New York City, N.Y.; and was proud of his three grandchildren, Daniel, Nicole, and Lauren. Ken’s big heart and generous spirit will always be remembered.

From his love of aviation, sailing on the “Sea Eagle,” enjoying his fast, exotic cars, to his membership in the “Way Too Much Fun Club,” Ken’s passion for life will always be admired. He always lived his life by his motto “No Trick For a Show Dog” His family asks those who remember him to celebrate his life by raising a glass of their favorite drink in his memory.

A Celebration of Life was heldon May 3, 2014 = at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Donations can also be made to the Palm Springs Air Museum (Korean and Vietnam-era Air Hanger). Lastly, the family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Bill Page, Dr. Lisa Lindley and Dr. Dan Petrylak (Greenwich, Conn.).

Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Cathedral City is in charge of arrangements.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit desertsun.com/obituaries.

Miles, Kenneth P Now
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