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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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Meyer, Richard L.

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  • Meyer, Richard L.

Richard Leo Meyer

Preferred Name: Dick
Date of Birth: May 31, 1933
Highest Military Grade: 0-7 – Brigadier General
Hometown: Centralia, IL
Headed West Date: May 28, 2023
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West
Album

Richard “Dick” Meyer was destined to be a pilot as his passion for flying led him to obtain his pilot’s license when he was just 16 years old. He attended The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. from 1951-1955 where he met and married the love of his life, JoAnn Stewart.

He was immediately commissioned into the USAF in 1955. JoAnn and Dick lived throughout the United States, Europe & the Middle East during his 30 year career.

Dick was a command pilot with more than 4000 hours flying time and 100 combat missions in Vietnam. Some of his military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal and the Air Force Commendations Medal. After 30 years, Dick retired in Austin,Texas as Brigadier General & Vice Commander of 12th Air Force.

He belonged to the American Legion, the Daedalion (retired military pilots) and the retired General officers organization. He was a member of the Manchaca United Methodist Church.(1)

Source:(1) https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/28220652/richard-leo-meyer/wall

Units Assigned

  • 9/1955 AFROTC, Entered USAF
  • 1955 Primary Pilot Training, Bartow AFB, FL (T-6)
  • 10/1956 Pilot training, Webb AFB, TX (T-33)
  • Flight lead-in training,  Williams AFB, AZ (F-86)
  • Combat Crew Training, Nellis AFB, NV (F-100)
  • 4/1957 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron,  Asst. flight commander, RAFB, Wethersfield, England
  • 5/1960 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, assistant chief of standardization and evaluation, Cannon AFB, NM
  • 1/1963 4453rd Combat Crew Training Squadron, MacDill AFB, FL (F-4C)
  • 4/1964 4453rd Combat Crew Training Wing, Chief of standardization and evaluation Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ (F-4)
  • 5/1965 IP, USAF Weapons School, Nellis AFB, NV
  • 9/1966 TDY, Vietnam (F-4)
  • 2/1967 4525th Fighter Weapons Squadron, Weapons school liaison officer, Vietnam
  • 8/1969-1/1970 Armed Forces Staff College
  • HQ TAC, Operations staff officer/Chief of the Armament Division, Fighter Requirement Directorate, Langley AFB, VA
  • 9/1971 HQ USAF, Directorate of Concepts and Doctrine, Washington, DC
  • 8/1974 Completed Air War College
  • 8/1974 Detachment 10, Vice Commander, The United States Logistic Group, Incirlik, Turkey.
  • 3/1975 Detachment 10, Commander, The United States Logistic Group, Incirlik, Turkey.
  • 8/1975 1st Tactical Fighter Wing, Langley AFB, VA (F-15)
  • 11/1977-2/1980 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, Holloman AFB, NM
  • 2/1980-8/1981 831st Air Division, Commander, George AFB, CA
  • 8/1981 12th Air Force, Vice Commander, Bergstrom AFB, TX

Awards & Decorations

Legion Of Merit
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal

Flight Info

T-6
T-33
F-86
F-100
F-4C
F-15

Flight Hours: 4000

100 combat missions in Vietnam

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 8/1969-1/1970 Armed Forces Staff College
  • 8/1974 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL

Civilian Education:

  • Columbia High School in Richland, WA
  • 1955 BS/Business Administration, The Citadel, Charleston, SC
  • MA/Guidance & Counseling, Troy State University, AL

Richard Leo Meyer, BGen USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on May 28, 2023.

Dick Meyer, a steadfast and loving partner and father of three, went to be with Jesus on May 28, 2023.

After a few years of walking the difficult road of dementia, he is filled with joy to be in the presence of his Heavenly Father, experiencing Him fully and having been fully restored.

Dick was born in Centralia, Illinois to Grace and Augustus Meyer. He was destined to be a pilot as his passion for flying led him to obtain his pilot’s license when he was just 16 years old. He attended The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. from 1951-1955 where he met and married the love of his life, JoAnn Stewart.

He was immediately commissioned into the USAF in 1955. JoAnn and Dick lived throughout the United States, Europe & the Middle East during his 30 year career.

Dick was a command pilot with more than 4000 hours flying time and 100 combat missions in Vietnam. Some of his military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal and the Air Force Commendations Medal. After 30 years, Dick retired in Austin,Texas as Brigadier General & Vice Commander of 12th Air Force.

He belonged to the American Legion, the Daedalion (retired military pilots) and the retired General officers organization. He was a member of the Manchaca United Methodist Church.

In retirement, Dick loved playing golf, fishing, playing cards, building computers and traveling with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, JoAnn, daughter Cheryl Piland (Jim) of Arlington Texas, daughter Linda Henson (Brent) of Austin Texas and son Richard (Diane) of Yorktown Virginia, 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and his sister Evelyn Crowder of Phoenix Arizona.

His celebration of Life [was held]on  July 29th in Austin, TX.

Source: https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/28220652/richard-leo-meyer/wall

Meyer, Richard L In Flight Suit
Album Slideshow
Slideshow
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