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Today in History – April 5, 1962 – 1962 Neil Armstrong takes X-15 to 54,600m

Neil Armstrong and the X-15 by Bob van der Linden, Posted on Tue, July 23, 2019, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum “Released from duty in mid-1952, Armstrong returned to Purdue where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. His love of flight and engineering drew him to the National Advisory

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Nelson, Michael A.

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  • Nelson, Michael A.

Michael A. Nelson

Preferred Name: Mike
Nickname/Call Sign: Frisco
Date of Birth: October 8, 1937
Highest Military Grade: 0-9 – Lieutenant General
Hometown: E. Los Angeles, CA
Biography
Pilot Information

General Nelson was born in 1937 and graduated from undergraduate pilot training in 1960 after graduating from Stanford University. His first assignment was to RAF Lakenheath, England flying the F-100 Super Sabre.

He returned to the US in 1965 as an instructor, flying the F-100 at Luke AFB, AZ, from 1967 to 1968. LGen Nelson flew over 100 missions over North Vietnam in the F-105 Thud. After an assignment to Korea, Nelson took command of the 358 TFS at DM AFB, AZ. After a tour in “the Building”, Nelson took command of the 21 FW.

He next commanded the AD in Okinawa and the 13 AF in the Philippines. After multiple assignments, Nelson finished his career as the Commander, 9th Air Force, Operation Southern Watch, CENTAF, with 3000+ hours in the F-100, F-105, A-7, F-4, F-15, and F-16 aircraft.

(source: https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/ltgen-michael-nelson-usaf-ret)

Units Assigned

  • 6/ 1959-9/1960 Pilot Training, Laredo AFB, TX
  • 9/1960-9/1961 F-100 Training
  • 9/1961 493rd Tactical Fighter Squadron/48th Tactical Fighter Wing, Lakenheath RAFS, England. (F-100)
  • 8/1965 4515th Combat Crew Training Squadron (IP), Luke AFB, AZ. (F-100)
  • 7/1967-7/1968 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron/355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Tactical Air Warfare Center Anti-Surface-to-Air Missile Combat Assistance Team, Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand (F-105) (100 Combat Missions)
  • 10/1969-6/1971 Adviser to the Korean Air Force, Seoul, Korea
  • 5/1972 Air Command and Staff College
  • 6/1972 358th Tactical Fighter Squadron /355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ (A-7)
  • 8/1976 National War College
  • 8/1976 Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., Chief of the Europe-NATO Division/Air Force planner Deputy Directorate for Joint and National Security Matters
  • 1979-3/1981 21st Tactical Fighter Wing, Elmendorf AFB, AL
  • 3/1981-6/1983 Director for operations, Headquarters US Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, HI
  • 6/1983-7/1984 313th Air Division, Kadena AB, Japan
  • 7/1984-7/1985 Commander, 13th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, Clark AB, Philippines.
  • 7/1985-7/1987 Headquarters, Deputy inspector general, Chief of Staff US Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein AB, West Germany
  • 7/1987-7/1989 Assistant chief of staff for operations, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Mons, Belgium
  • 7/1989-1/1991 Commander, Sheppard Technical Training Center, Sheppard AFB, TX
  • 1/1991-6/1992 Deputy chief of staff, plans and operations, USAF Headquarters.
  • 6/1992-8/1994 Commander, 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces, Shaw AFB, SC
  • 8/1/1994 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Super Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion Of Merit
Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster
Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal
Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Flight Info

F-100
F-105
A-7
F-4
F-15

Flight Hours: 3000+
Wall of Honor Location: Foil: 13 Panel: 2 Column: 1 Line: 29

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1967 Squadron Officer School
  • 1972 Air Command and Staff College
  • 1976 National War College

Civilian Education:

  • 1955 Alamo Heights Senior High School, San Antonio, TX
  • 1959 BA/International Relations, Stanford University
  • 1969 MA/Comparative Politics, University of Arizona

Wall of Honor Location

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