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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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Kriz, William J.

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  • Kriz, William J.

William J. Kriz

Preferred Name: Bill
Date of Birth: November 5, 1931
Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Berwyn, IL
William J. Kriz - before
William J. Kriz - now
Biography
Pilot Information
Album

After USAF retirement, I entered the metal sales arena and served as San Antonio branch manager of Westbrook Metals Inc. for over 19 years.  I retired from that job in 1996.

Units Assigned

  • 12/1951 Basic Training, Lackland AFB, TX. (Promoted to PFC upon completion)
  • 3/1952  Control Tower Operator Course, Keesler AFB, MS. (Promoted to Corporal A/2nd class)
  • 7/1952  Aviation Cadet class 53-E, Greenville, MS. Graham Aviation, civilian contract flying school (T-6)
  • 1/1953  Advanced Pilot Training, Webb AFB, TX (T-28, T-33)
  • 8/1953 Commissioned 2Lt and received pilot’s wings
  • 9/1953 Gunnery School, Nellis AFB, NV (F-86F)
  • 1/1954 12th Fighter-Bomber Squadron/8th Fighter-Bomber Group, K-55 Korea (F-86F)
  • 1/1955 722nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 450th Fighter-Bomber Wing, Foster AFB, TX (F-86F)
  • 10/1955  722nd Fighter Day Squadron/450th Fighter Day Wing Foster AFB, TX (F-100C)
  • 7/1958 474th Tactical Fighter Squadron/413th Tactical Fighter Wing, George AFB, CA (F-100D)
  • 1/1959 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron/ 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, George AFB, CA (F-100D)
  • 7/1960 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron/31st Tactical Fighter Wing, George AFB, CA (F-100D)
  • 10/1960 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron/18th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kadena AB, Okinawa  (F-100D)
  • 2/1963 333rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 4th Tactical Fighter
    Wing, Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC (F-105D)
  • 4/1963 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron/4th Tactical Fighter Wing, Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC (F-105B/D)
  • 7/1965 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem AB, Germany (F-105D)
  • 1/1967 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron/388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat AB, Thailand (F-105D)
  • 4/1967 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron/388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat AB, Thailand (F-105D)
  • 8/1967 – Finished 100 missions North, F-105D. Awarded 2 Silver Stars, 4 DFC’s, & 13 Air Medals.
  • 9/1967 3515th Pilot Training Squadron, 3510th Pilot Training Wing, Randolph, AFB, TX (T-38)
  • 9/1970 Command Studies Division, ATC Plans, Randolph AFB, TX (T-29)
  • 4/1973 ATC IG, RAFB, No Fly.
  • 8/1974 – Retired USAF (Awarded Legion of Merit)

Awards & Decorations

Silver Star
Silver Star (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (4)
Air Medal
Air Medal (13)
Legion Of Merit
Legion of Merit

Flight Info

T-6
T-28
T-33
T-29
T-38
F-86F
F-100 C/D
F-105 B/D

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • S.O.S. – Personal Equipment Officer course + usual survival courses @ Fairchild & Clark

Civilian Education:

  • 2 years Junior College

Kriz, Bill
Album Slideshow
Slideshow
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Wall of Honor Location

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