Sierra Hotel Blog
Iven Carl "Kinch" Kincheloe Jr. shot down 5 MiGs in Korea, set a world altitude record of 126,200 feet in the Bell X-2, and became known as America's First Spaceman. He was killed at age 30 during an F-104 test flight at Edwards AFB.
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Clarence 'Bud' Anderson was a WWII triple ace who flew 116 combat missions over Europe in his P-51 Mustang 'Old Crow,' scoring 16.25 aerial victories with the 357th Fighter Group — and never took a scratch. He went on to serve in Korea and Vietnam, became Chief of Flight Test at Edwards AFB, and was promoted to honorary brigadier general at age 100. He flew west on May 17, 2024, at the age of 102.
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On December 4, 1950, Lt. Thomas Hudner deliberately crash-landed his Corsair behind enemy lines to save his wingman Ensign Jesse Brown — the first Black Navy pilot — trapped in his burning aircraft. Hudner received the Medal of Honor for his selfless act of bravery.
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