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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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O’Neill, Joseph E.

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  • O’Neill, Joseph E.

Joseph E. O'Neill

Preferred Name: Joe
Date of Birth: August 10, 1938
Highest Military Grade: 0-4 – Major
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Biography
Pilot Information
Caterpillar Club
Album

“In 1954 at the age of 16, I enlisted in the Tennessee ANG and was assigned as a mechanic in the engine shop. Followed the advice of the grizzled Sergeant in charge of the engine shop, “son you best learn to fly’um”.   I applied for active duty pilot training and started training as an Aviation Cadet in August 1958.

Graduated from pilot training January of 1960 and reported to Perrin AFB, TX for training in the F-86L.  After training, I was assigned to Williams AFB, AZ as a flight instructor. I arrived at Willie Air Patch in September 1960 and flew the T-33 and T-38.  Left active duty in Feb 1965 and joined the Arizona ANG and completed a local transition into the F-100A and flew that sweet machine until October 1966.

The AZ version at that time had the -21A engine and it was a real mover. As you are aware the F-100A was air superiority only. What a mission and what a sweet machine. I then transferred to the Colorado ANG to fly the F-100C. Again a local checkout.  Never went to Luke or had formal gunnery training. I asked the ops sergeant John Candelaria who was the best and he told me Jack Wilhite and Tom Risan.  I set down with them one at a time and received outstanding briefings. The rest was OJT on the gunnery range.

Our unit was recalled to active duty in Jan 1968 and in May of 68, I was pleased and honored to be selected for Vietnam and took part in ferrying our “C”‘s from Denver to Phan Rang AB and back.  Stops along the way were Hickam AFB, HNL, and Anderson AFB, Guam.  After our return to Denver, the 120th transitioned to the F-100D.  In 1974 I went to Myrtle Beach for A-7D transition. I flew the SLUF until retiring in 1977 in order to be a more hands-on Dad with my sons. I was so honored to fly not only with men like  Wilhite and Risan but also with BG Walt Williams, BG John France, Col Bob Cherry and so many more.

Starting in 1966 I concurrently had a career with Continental and United Airlines.  Mandatory retirement from passenger flights came at age 60 in August 1998.  In Vietnam, I was one of the squadron maintenance test pilots and after retirement from line flying, I was fortunate to switch to maintenance test pilot with Continental Airlines.  I continued in that capacity after the merger with United Airlines.  At the tender age of 76, I decided I’d had enough packing suitcases, living in hotels and non-revving to Hong Kong, Beijing, Singapore, and Manila for test flights and I retired effective July 31, 2014.

I dId get a good laugh on one of my last flights.  Along with a younger 67-year-old test pilot I conducted a full post-maintenance test flight on a B777 with subsequent ferry flight from Beijing to San Francisco.  Flight time was about 11hrs, 30min.  Checking out of the hotel in Beijing there was a UAL line crew checking out at the same time.  They asked where we were going and when we told them they asked where’s the rest of your crew.  When we told them “this is it” all kinds of discussions pursued like “is that even legal”.

What a great ride and my heartfelt thanks to the people of the USA and the US Air Force for giving me such a great career.”

Units Assigned

  • 8/1958 Aviation Cadet
  • 1/1960 Graduated pilot training
  • 1/1960 Pilot training, Perrin AFB, TX (F-86L)
  • 9/1960 Flight Instructor, Williams AFB, AZ (T-33, T-38)
  • 2/1965-10/1966 162nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron, AZANG (F-100A)
  • 10/1966 Transferred to CO ANG (F-100C)
  • 1/1968 Activated 120th TFS, COANG
  • 5/1968 120th TFS – Ferried F-100C’s Denver to Hickham AFB, HNL/Anderson AFB, Guam/Phan Rang AB, Vietnam (F-100 C/D)
  • 1974-1977 Myrtle Beach AFB, NC (A-7D)
  • 1977 Retired

Awards & Decorations

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Service Ribbon

Flight Info

F-86L
T-33
T-38
F-100 A/C/D
A-7D

Military & Civilian Education

Joe O’Neill Caterpillar Club Story

December 28, 1968. The mission was CAS for a reported company-sized NVA unit. The target area was on SE edge of U Minh Forest. On the second pass, I thought I heard something pop, so I had my wingman check me over. Nothing visible, gauges good, so I continued for another pass. During roll in, I noticed the Engine firelight was on. I finished the pass and on pull out, the HYD system fail light came on. A quick check showed the No. 1 system at zero. Advised my wingman and turned northeast towards Bien Hoa.

Joe O'NeillIn quick order, the engine EGT pegged out and the No. 2 Hyd system pressure started down. I cleaned the wings, lit the burner, and started climbing for cloud cover. At about 5,000 feet and, according to my wingman, I was doing about 400 Kts plus when the stick froze up and the nose started down. I made a quick call and pulled the handles. The experience was like slow motion with all my adrenaline pumping. As I went up, I watched the Hun drop away. I had a smooth opening and landing fall with FAC and wingman covering me.

A Huey, call sign Outlaw 25, piloted by WO Don Isenburg and WO Mike Haley, heard the call on Guard, picked me up about 20 minutes later, and flew me to Can Tho (as I recall). I caught a ride in Army Caribou to Vung Tau where our base C-47 was waiting for me. Then came the scary part. The C-47 was checking out a new copilot and he damned near ground looped on takeoff!

I took the next day off. I have had the pleasure of buying the beer at the VN Helicopter reunion where I met up again with Don and Mike. And we think that we party hardy. Wow! — Joe O’Neill

Joe O'Neill
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