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
Don Majors was born on February 27, 1936, to Elmer and Lavelle Majors, born in Kelso, WA. After graduating from the University of Washington he went into US Air Force pilot training.
His first Air Force assignment was in Itasuke AB, Japan where he met and married his wife, Marcia Royce Majors.
He felt fortunate to serve his country for almost 30 years and enjoyed having overseas tours in Japan, Spain, Germany, and England. Among his favorite jobs was Commander of the 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Okinawa, Japan, and later Director of Operations for 3rd Air Force at RAF Mildenhall and Base Commander of RAF Chicksands where he retired in 1987.
During his 30 year career, he flew F-100s, F-4s, A-10,s and his beloved F-105 where he flew over 100 missions in North Vietnam and received the Silver Star, multiple Distinguished Flying Cross Awards, and Air Medals.
After retiring from the Air Force, he flew business jets for Gulf Stream as a demo pilot. He had a most memorable 4-month position in India where he trained 3 Indian pilots for Grasim Industries LCD.
