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
Chet’s Distinguished Flying Cross Citation reads: “The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Chester Parham III for distinguishing himself by extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Tactical Fighter Pilot near Saigon, Republic of Vietnam on 14 May 1969. On that date, Captain Parham flew a close air support mission against an unknown size hostile force that had pinned down a friendly ground unit. Displaying great personal courage, Captain Parham flew multiple bomb and strafe passes through intense ground fire and under adverse conditions in support of the friendly ground force. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Parham reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.”
