The Air Force has an amazing story about Colonel Joe Kittinger, the first man to exceed the speed of sound by skydiving from 102,800 feet:
In freefall for four and a half minutes, Kittinger fell at speeds up to 714 mph, exceeding the speed of sound. He experienced temperatures as low as -94 degrees Fahrenheit. Kittinger opened his parachute at 18,000 feet and landed safely in the New Mexico desert after a 13 minute 45 second descent. Project Excelsior successfully proved the new parachute system, the Beaupre Multi-Stage Parachute, would solve the problem of high altitude escape by crewmen.
Not content with that, he also set the record for the longest solo balloon flight, commanded the Triple Nickel squadron in Vietnam, and made a bunch of solo transatlantic balloon flights.
He’s right up there with Wrong Way Corrigan.
Need a pic?
Dear Sir,
My father in law served in the air force with you, he has had me find
out what I could on you. John met you in Thailand, said you were an amazing pilot
The last time he saw you ,you wanted to cross the Altantic by balloon. John
retired in Holiday Fl, he is very sick. If you would like to responed home address is 1042 Solar Dr. Holiday Fl 34691 e-mail chardy11555@aol.com. John was an M.P. sargentalso
better known as Jack. Thank-you Carole Hardy