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
I was born in Spokane, Washington on May 8, 1936, and graduated from the University of Washington in September 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. My grade point average was 3.38.
In December of 1958, I entered the U.S. Air Force and graduated 7th in my pilot class. I then flew F-100’s in Europe for three years and was discharged in February of 1964.
While employed as a stockbroker for two major brokerage houses from April of 1964 to March of 1967 I flew in several AF Reserve C-119 squadrons. I then joined Northwest Airlines, my sole civilian flight employer, in March of 1967. In June of 1967, I decided to join the Iowa ANG in Sioux City, flying F-100’s.
I was recalled to active duty in January 1968 and flew 255 missions in Southeast Asia before being discharged in June 1969 and rejoining Northwest Airlines.
I was a B–747–200 captain with Northwest Airlines until reaching mandatory age 60 retirement in May 1996.
After Mike’s forced retirement from Northwest, he was not ready to end his flying career. On his resume, he wrote, “I’m fit. I love flying, seeking challenges and responsibilities, and am not ready to resort to recreational flying. I am seeking a flight position anywhere which offers challenge and responsibility.”
