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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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Smith, William F.

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  • Smith, William F.

William F. Smith

Preferred Name: Smitty
Date of Birth: October 31, 1927
Highest Military Grade: 0-4 – Major
Headed West Date: April 5, 2014
Biography
Pilot Information
Headed West
Album

William “Smitty” Smith was a Corporal in the US Army Air Forces,  a Major in the US Air Force and a 20 year veteran. A decorated U. S. Air Force fighter pilot, flying P-47, T-33, F-86D, F-100 and B-57 aircraft, and a member of the Caterpillar Club.

Units Assigned

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

P-47
T-3
F-86D
F-100
B-57

Military & Civilian Education

Civilian Education:

  • 1951 graduate, Loyola University
  • 1975 MA/Library Science, University of Arizona

William F. “Smitty” Smith, Maj USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on April 5, 2014.

Major William F. “Smitty” Smith, USAF (ret). A 1951 graduate of Loyola University of Los Angeles, “Smitty” was a 20 year veteran and decorated U. S. Air Force fighter pilot, flying P-47, T-33, F-86D, F-100 and B-57 aircraft. A member of the Caterpillar Club (ruby eyes), he flew his final mission on April 5, 2014.

Earning a Master of Library Science from the University of Arizona in 1975, he became a TUSD elementary school librarian, sharing his love of books, travel and history with his “kids.” He remained an active member of the Tucson community and longtime supporter of the Arts and of the U/A Medieval Studies Department.

He and Rosemary, his beloved wife of almost 65 years, shared their love of traveling, visiting five of seven continents, and all the while, telling stories and writing poetry.

Preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Olevia Smith and infant son, Michael; he is survived by the love of his life Rosemary; their three children, Deborah (Arne) Nelson, Jeff Smith and Lauren (Steve) Schreiber; four favored grandchildren and their spouses, and two cherished great-grandchildren.

All were his life’s treasures and source of his pride, joy and never-ending love.

He is interred in Arlington National Cemetery later this fall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in memory to the TMC Hospice (Peppi’s House) Endowment. https://tmcfoundation46605.thankyou4caring.org

Smith, William F With Aircraft
Album Slideshow
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