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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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Martin, William R. – KIA

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  • Martin, William R. – KIA

William Reynolds Martin - KIA

Preferred Name: Bill
Date of Birth: January 26, 1935
Highest Military Grade: 0-3 – Captain
Hometown: Callands, VA
Headed West Date: November 18, 1964
Biography
Pilot Information
Album

William Reynolds Martin was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Virginia Military Institute in June 1955. In March 1957, he completed flight training at Laredo AFB, TX, and was awarded the rating of Pilot.

On 18 November 1964, Captain William Reynolds Martin was serving as a F-100 Super Sabre Pilot of the 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron, DaNang Air Base, Vietnam, during the Vietnam War.

On that date, Capt Martin was leading a flight of two F-100 Super Sabre aircraft escorting an unarmed RF-101 Voodoo aircraft on a mission of major importance. He was flying F-100 #55-2885. As they approached the mission area in Laos, a heavy barrage of hostile ground fire was directed at the unarmed aircraft. Capt Martin reacted immediately by repeatedly flying his aircraft over the gun emplacements at extremely low altitudes to divert hostile fire from the RF-101 plane. Capt Martin’s aggressiveness and determination in pressing his attack allowed the RF-101 aircraft to withdraw safely. On his 3rd overflight of the hostile positions, the full force of their gun emplacements was directed at his aircraft, resulting in his being killed in action. (1)

Capt. Martin ejected from his aircraft but died of his injuries and was recovered the next day by the SAR. (2)

William Reynolds Martin is memorialized at Highland Burial Park, Danville, Danville City, Virginia, and is honored on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC. His name is inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 01e, Line 72.

 

Source: Photos/Bio Info – HonorStates.org; (1) MilitaryHallofHonor.com; (2) U.S.A.F. Veteran Online Memorial | TWS Roll of Honor (togetherweserved.com)

Units Assigned

  • 3/1957 Flight training, Laredo AFB, TX
  • 1956–1957 3640th Pilot Training Squadron (Cadre), Laredo AFB
  • 1957–1958 508th Fighter Squadron, Langley AFB
  • 1956–1957 3640th Pilot Training Squadron (Cadre), Laredo AFB
  • 1957–1958 508th Fighter Squadron, Langley AFB
  • 1958–1958, 405th Fighter-Bomber Wing, Langley AFB
  • 1958–1959 6200th Air Base Wing, Clark AFB
  • 1959–1960  1115A, 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Clark AFB
  • 1960–1963 1115A, 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron, England AFB
  • 1963-1964 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 401st Tactical Fighter Wing, 13th Air Force, Da Nang AB, Vietnam (F-100)

Awards & Decorations

Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross
Air Medal
Air Medal
Purple Heart
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Cross Of Gallantry
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
AF Good Conduct Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
US Air Force Pilot Badge
United States Aviator Badge Air Force

Flight Info

F-100

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 6/1955 Virginia Military Institute (ROTC)

Martin, William Reynolds
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