On This Day in History

1954: Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., becomes the USAF’s first African American general officer.

1944: The first US Army aircraft to be stationed in the Philippines since 1942 land on the Tacloban airstrip. The 34 P-38s of the 9th Fighter Squadron refuel at once, and before the end of

1925: The court-martial of Brigadier General William “Billy” Mitchell for insubordination begins. He is found guilty on 17 Dec and sentenced to five years’ suspension from active duty without pay or allowances. After reviewing the

  1957: FIRST CASUALTIES FROM VIETNAM. Eight US servicemen injured in an explosion in Saigon are evacuated to Clark Air Base for treatment at the 6208th USAF Hospital.

1965: Gen Curtis E. LeMay, former Chief of Staff, receives the 1965 Collier Trophy, American aviation’s highest honor.

1944: RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES. Southwest Pacific Area forces land unopposed at two points. Gen Douglas MacArthur, accompanied by President Sergio Osmena, lands in the 24th Infantry Division area and delivers his “I have returned”

1968: Maj William J. Knight receives the Harmon International Aviator’s Trophy for 1967 as the world’s outstanding pilot for flying X-15 No. 2 to 4,520 MPH (Mach 6.72). (Oct 3, 1967 Photo-USAF)      

1962: CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS. The Air Force Reserve mobilizes eight troop carrier wings and six aerial port squadrons for the Cuban Missile Crisis.

2000: MACKAY TROPHY/ATTACK ON THE USS COLE. Crews from the 75th Airlift Squadron and 86th Aeromedical Squadron receive the trophy for evacuating 28 survivors of a 12 October terrorist attack on the USS Cole in

1973: YOM KIPPUR WAR/Operation NICKEL GRASS. Through 14 November (30 days), MAC delivers 22,395 tons of material from 20 locations in the US to Israel. MAC completes this airlift, with a one-way distance of 6,450