On This Day in History

1960:   Capt Joseph W. Kittinger Jr. jumps from 102,800 feet over New Mexico; he reaches speeds over 600 mph during 13:08 minute descent.

1945:   VICTORY DAY–JAPAN. The Japanese government announces its intention to surrender “unconditionally.”

1912:   Sgt. Vernon Burge receives rating as the U.S. Army’s first enlisted pilot.

1953:   The XC-99, the world’s largest plane to date, makes its first transatlantic flight from Kelly AFB to Frankfurt, Germany, with 60,000 pounds of cargo. For size comparison, The XC-99 is shown in flight c.

1976:   Boeing’s YC-14 flies its maiden flight around Seattle.

1944:   MEDAL OF HONOR. For valorous actions while leading 33 B-26 Marauders against a railroad bridge on the Seine River, Capt Darrell R. Lindsey is awarded a Medal of Honor posthumously. Citation: http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/2845/lindsey-darrell-r.php  

  1946:   First flight of the Convair XB-36 Peacemaker prototype 42-13570 at Fort Worth.

1916:   The Wright Company and the Glenn L. Martin Company merge into the Wright Martin Aircraft Corporation.

Flying his “Enola Gay” B-29 from Tinian Island, Lt Col Paul W. Tibbets, Jr. and his crew drop the atomic bomb “Little Boy” on Hiroshima. This photo shows the officers on the mission, with Tibbitts

  1981:   Directed by President Reagan, USAF air traffic controllers man civilian airport facilities in the US to replace striking civilian controllers.