July 19, 1934
1934: Thru 20 Aug, Lt Col Henry H. Arnold commands 10 Martin B-10s from Bolling Field to Fairbanks and back; he receives the Mackay Trophy and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
July 18, 1967
1967: For the 1st time, an HC-130 refuels an HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopter is during a rescue mission. (1968 Photo)
July 17, 1962
1962: Maj Robert White flies X-15 No. 3 with the XLR-99 rocket engine on the first spaceflight by a manned aircraft: Altitude 58.7 miles (314,750 ft.), speed in excess of Mach 6 (3,784 mph).
July 16, 1940
1971 – Brig Gen Jeanne Holm becomes 1st female general officer in the US Air Force. She is pinned by Secretary of the Air Force Robert C. Seamans, Jr. and Lt Gen Robert J. Dixon,
July 13, 1921
1921: Brig Gen Billy Mitchell’s bombers sink several capital ships off Virginia to prove this capability of unopposed aircraft.
July 10, 1935
1935: Larry Bell founds Bell Aircraft, producer of among others the P-39 Airacobra and the X-1.
July 9, 1944
1944: MEDAL OF HONOR. During an attack on the Ploesti oil refineries, Lt Donald D. Pucket’s B-24 receives heavy and direct hits and crashes. For his courage and supreme sacrifice in attempting to save the
July 6 , 1953
1953: Op KINDERLIFT. US Air Forces in Europe begin airlift of children from Berlin to West Germany for a summer vacation in German and American homes.