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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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Larson, Fred N

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  • Larson, Fred N

Fred N. Larson

Preferred Name: Fred
Date of Birth: December 25, 1940
Highest Military Grade: 0-7 – Brigadier General
Hometown: Lodi, OH
Headed West Date: January 1, 2012
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West

General Larson \ was always very involved in the community. For several years Fred had been a member of the Lexington Kiwanis and President from 19-1976. He was a member of the SSS and former President of Shadow Flight, previous board member and Chairman of Richland County United Way, member of the Order of Daedalians, member of the Am Vets Post 26, and the town of Lexington bestowed upon him by proclamation “Colonel Fred Larson Day”, July 11, 1995. During the Base Realignment and Closure Process, Fred was instrumental in saving a flying mission for the 179th Air Wing.

Units Assigned

  • 1963 Ohio Air National Guard
  • 1964 F-100 training at Luke AFB, AZ
  • 164th Fighter Squadron to fly the (F-84, F-100, C-130)
  • 1970 Chief of Safety (Outstanding Flight Safety Officer), Tactical Air Command
  • 1986-1995 179th Tactical Airlift Wing
  • 1995-1998 Director of Operations, Headquarters Ohio ANG
  • 1998 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Air Medal
Air Medal
RVN Gallantry Cross With Palm
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm

Flight Info

F-84
F-100
C-130

Command pilot with more than 7,700 hours

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • U.S. Army War College

Civilian Education:

  • Wadsworth High School
  • BS/Aviation Management, Ohio University

Fred N. Larson, BGen USAF, Ret.,  “Headed West” on January 1, 2012

Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality. A man who “stayed the course”, General Fred Larson was a natural leader and faithful patriot. With an encouraging word or a friendly smile his outlook was positive. What made General Larson such a great leader was the way he encouraged people to do their best. No dream unattainable. No goal out of reach.

A man selfless in nature, and committed to God, family, and country, Brigadier General Fred N Larson USAF (Retired) of Lexington, Ohio passed away January 1st, 2012 after a courageous six month battle with Leukemia.

Born December 25, 1940, in Lodi, Ohio to the late Elmer and Dorothy (Linscott) Larson. Fred graduated from Wadsworth High School and attended Ohio University graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management. In 1984 he also graduated from The U.S. Army War College.

As young children, Fred Larson and Sheila Hall were neighbors and friends. It wasn’t until college they began dating. They were blessed with 48 years of marriage and two wonderful children. He was a devoted husband and father. He enjoyed golf, woodworking, sailing, and fishing for perch in Lake Erie.

General Larson was commissioned in the USAF and the Ohio Air National Guard in 1963, earning his wings Dec 1964. He attended F-100 training at Luke AFB, AZ and then returned to the 164th Fighter Squadron to fly the F-84. He subsequently flew the F-100 and C-130. Fred quickly moved into numerous staff positions including Chief of Safety, where he was awarded the Outstanding Flight Safety Officer in Tactical Air Command in 1970. Ultimately he was selected to command the 179th Tactical Airlift Wing from 1986 through 1995. He became Director of Operations, Headquarters Ohio Air National Guard and was promoted to Brigadier General prior to his retirement in December 1998.

General Larson was a member of the Super Sabre Society. Fred was always very involved in the community. For several years Fred had been a member of the Lexington Kiwanis and President 1975/76. He was a member and former President of Shadow Flight, previous board member and Chairman of Richland County United Way, member of the Order of Daedalians, member of the Am Vets Post 26, and the town of Lexington bestowed upon him by proclamation “Colonel Fred Larson Day”, July 11, 1995. During the Base Realignment and Closure Process, Fred was instrumental in saving a flying mission for the 179th Air Wing.

Fred was a member of United Methodist Church of the Cross Lexington. He is survived by his loving wife Sheila (Hall) Larson, son Nils and daughter in law Shelley, Larson of Lexington, daughter Kristen Larson of Sacramento CA, brothers Dr. Jon, wife Carolyn, Larson of Cincinnati, Dr. Roy Larson of Wadsworth, and a niece and numerous nephews.

Burial with full military honors was held at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.

Contributions can be made to Mansfield Lahm Military Families, 2503 Alta West Rd, Mansfield, OH 44903, or Shadow Flight, 3544 Springmill North Rd, Shelby, Ohio 44875.

Wall of Honor Location

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