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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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Major, Michael G.

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  • Major, Michael G.

Michael G. Major

Preferred Name: Mike
Date of Birth: April 16, 1940
Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Ellensberg, WA
Headed West Date: September 3, 2017
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West
Album

Mike Major “…was an honor graduate from the US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO in June 1962, and commissioned in the Regular AF and competitively selected to become a fighter pilot. In his 23+ years of service, he flew 3600 hours in the F-100, F-104, F-4, and F-16.

He served 2 combat tours in Vietnam and amassed 200+ combat missions earning a Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor, and 14 Air Medals. Additionally, he served 2 tours in South Korea and Europe respectively among numerous other stateside billets. He commanded at the squadron and wing levels, and was loved and respected by all he served with.

He retired in 1985 as a full Colonel and hired as a Program Manager at Northrop-Grumman Aerospace Company in Los Angeles, CA, where he led numerous large scale international military aircraft refurbishment and development programs. Upon his second retirement in 2000, he moved to Reno, NV where he enjoyed golf, snow skiing, fishing and a large group of friends. As a volunteer with the Reno Air Races for 15 years, he rose through the ranks becoming the Air Race President and also CEO for two years until he retired in 2015.”

Source: https://obits.gazette.com/us/obituaries/gazette/name/michael-major-obituary?id=12672805

Units Assigned

  • 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Hahn AB, Germany
  • 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron/3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam (F-100, 200 missions)

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (with Valor Device)
Air Medal
Air Medal (14)

Flight Info

F-100
F-104
F-4
F-16
Flight Hours: 3600 hours

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 6/1962 USAFA (Honor Graduate)

Civilian Education:

  • Ellensburg High School

 

Michael G. Major, Col USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on September 3, 2017.

Michael G. Major, of Reno, NV passed away peacefully on September 3rd, after a year-long fight with cancer. Mike was born in Ellensburg, WA on April 16, 1940 to the late Mickey and Ken Major. He attended Ellensburg HS and was a standout student/athlete, remaining very close with his classmates in the EHS Class of 1958. He was an honor graduate from the US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO in June 1962, and commissioned in the Regular AF and competitively selected to become a fighter pilot. In his 23+ years of service, he flew 3600 hours in the F-100, F-104, F-4, and F-16.

He served 2 combat tours in Vietnam and amassed 200+ combat missions earning a Distinguished Flying Cross for Valor, and 14 Air Medals. Additionally, he served 2 tours in South Korea and Europe respectively among numerous other stateside billets. He commanded at the squadron and wing levels, and was loved and respected by all he served with.

He retired in 1985 as a full Colonel and hired as a Program Manager at Northrop-Grumman Aerospace Company in Los Angeles, CA, where he led numerous large scale international military aircraft refurbishment and development programs. Upon his second retirement in 2000, he moved to Reno, NV where he enjoyed golf, snow skiing, fishing and a large group of friends. As a volunteer with the Reno Air Races for 15 years, he rose through the ranks becoming the Air Race President and also CEO for two years until he retired in 2015.

Mike’s joyous spirit and love of life will be remembered forever by his beloved wife Patti of Reno, NV; daughter Dana Hyland and her husband Kevin of Fort Collins, CO; son Mike Major and his wife Renee of Louisville, KY; step-daughter Kim Sweazy of Tampa, FL; step-son Scott Riedenauer of Los Angeles, CA; 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Additionally, he leaves behind countless friends from his youth in Ellensburg, USAFA classmates, all his assignments and his beloved Reno. His infectious smile, his quick wit and the twinkle in his eye will be missed by all he knew. Mike never met a stranger and lived his life with a heart of service, sacrifice and dedication to all he knew.

A Celebration of Life was held at the US Air Force Academy on October 8, 2017 and he was laid to rest in the US Air Force Academy Cemetery, Colorado Springs, CO.

Published by The Gazette on Oct. 1, 2017.

 

Major, Mike
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