R.I.P. Major General Robert Michael "Bob" White (July 6, 1924 – March 17, 2010)
21 gun salute, present arms
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The First Winged Aircraft into Space Flight
Major General Robert M. White (USAF – Ret) as told to Al Hallonquist
In the cockpit of the black, sleek aircraft slung underneath the wing of the mighty B-52 bomber, the interphone crackles to life. Performing his pre flight checklist Major Bob White hears the commander of the B-52, Major Jack Allavie, on his radio: “Ah Robert, it’s a lovely morning”. While still focusing on these crucial items “Robert” responds, “Yes it is Jack”.
This could be a normal salutation and exchange in any office or business anywhere in the world, but on this date: July 17th, 1962, it’s between two highly complex aircraft and professional pilots. And one of these aircraft launches as an airplane, but returns a spacecraft, with its pilot earning the still new title of astronaut.
The X-15 was one of a very few aircraft designed strictly as a research aircraft. This means it was not a forerunner of a design for a particular breed of aircraft, and would not evolve into a useful aircraft for the military or airlines. Research aircraft exploring the transonic, supersonic and hypersonic regimes began with the Bell X-1. You may recall of course, that the X-1 was the aircraft that punched a hole through the “sound barrier” in 1947. This rocket powered aircraft’s sole purpose was to explore the regime of transonic and supersonic flight, and it did that very well.
However, the North American Aviation X-15 was the aircraft that set more records and went much faster and higher than the X-1 or any other research aircraft of that or any era since. The X-15 was the first aircraft to fly Mach 4, Mach 5 and Mach 6. It set several speed and altitude records and became the first winged vehicle to fly into space. The X-15’s primary purpose was to investigate hypersonic (above mach 5) flight and extreme high altitude flight and the effects of aerodynamic heating on the aircraft surfaces that reached a bit over 1,000 degrees farenheit..
And the man who was the first to fly Mach 4,5 & 6, the first to fly in excess of 3000 mph, the first to fly above 200,000’ and 300,000’; was to become on this date, the first man to fly it and any winged vehicle into space. This allowed him to become only the 5th American to attain astronaut wings and only the 2nd Air Force pilot to do this. Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, John Glenn and Wally Schirra of the Project Mercury program, went first.
Retired Major General Robert M. “Bob” White (USAF) reflects back on his career and specifically this date. Feeling it to be his highlight flight of the program, he looks back with the missile man’s steely eyed professional glint and walks me through his flight. As I sit there rapt, listening to this aerospace pioneer, it’s easy to see “the General” and the veteran test pilot, as he recalls the flight. A more consummate professional you will not find, not even 43 years later in his life.
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Background and career
White was born in New York on 6 July 1924. He entered active military service in November 1942 as an aviation cadet in the United States Army Air Forces, and received his pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant in February 1944.
During World War II he served with the 355th Fighter Group in the European Theater of Operations, where he flew P-51 Mustangs from July 1944 until February 1945 when he was shot down over Germany on his 52nd combat mission. He was captured and remained a prisoner of war until his release in April 1945. He then returned to the United States, left active duty in December 1945, and became a member of the Air Force Reserve at Mitchel Air Force Base, New York, while studying electrical engineering at New York University. He earned a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from New York University in 1951 and a master of science degree in business administration from The George Washington University in 1966.
White was recalled to active duty in May 1951, during the Korean War, where he served as pilot and engineering officer with the 514th Troop Carrier Wing at Mitchel Air Force Base. In February 1952 he was assigned as a fighter pilot and flight commander with the 40th Fighter Squadron, based at Johnson Air Base, Japan. In August 1953 he returned from overseas to serve as a systems engineer at Rome Air Development Center, Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y.
Awards and decorations
White was a command pilot astronaut. His military decorations and awards included the Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with three oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with four oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 16 oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with "V" device. For his achievements in the X-15 aircraft, General White received the Harmon International Aviators Trophy, the Collier Trophy and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal.
Air Force Cross citation
Colonel Robert M. White
U.S. Air Force
Date Of Action: August 11, 1967
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, awards the Air Force Cross to Colonel Robert M. White, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-105 Mission Commander near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 11 August 1967. On that date, Colonel White led the entire combat force against a key railroad and highway bridge in the vicinity of Hanoi. In spite of 14 surface-to-air missile launches, MIG interceptor attacks, and intense antiaircraft artillery fire, he gallantly led the attack. By being the first aircraft to dive through the dark clouds of bursting flak, Colonel White set an example that inspired the remaining attacking force to destroy the bridge without a single aircraft being lost to the hostile gunners. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Colonel White reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Michael_White
Wild Blue Yonder (AF song)
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