Bachelor of Science from the University of
California; military service (presumable Navy, was assigned in the pacific area
during World War II - Pearl Harbour - he was pilot in the legendary "Buzz"
Miller Squadron); following the end of war he became pilot for several airlines
in the pacific area; since 1948/49 pilot for Douglas Aircraft; later he was
assigned as detachment for Gene May to Edwards to be involved in the Navy
rocket airplane program; he flew the D-558-2 Skyrocket (first flight with
rocket propulsion on 26.01.1951) and the X-3 Stiletto (first flight on
20.10.1952); with the D-558-2 reached a new high altitude world record on
15.08.1951 (80.000 ft.); selected for the MISS project ("Man In Space
Soonest"); it was planned to put a man into space in October 1960; the project
was cancelled due of financial and technical problems; died in an aircraft
crash. |