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A flyover occurs during the funeral service for U.S. Air Force Col. Joseph Kittinger, Jr. in Section 36 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Sept. 9, 2024.
Kittinger enlisted in the Air Force in 1949 when he was accepted into the U.S. Air Force aviation school as an aviation cadet. During his 29-year career, Kittinger participated in several pre-space race projects and was part of hundreds of flight missions during the Vietnam War.
In 1960, Kittinger set a world record for the highest parachute jump and freefall – 102,800 feet. Part of Project Excelsior, Kittinger rose more than 19 miles above the earth’s surface in a helium filled balloon before jumping. This record was held for more than 50 years. In 1962, Kittinger went up in a balloon again with Project Stargazer to test a telescope above the Earth’s atmosphere. After these feats, Kittinger returned to being a fighter pilot in the Vietnam War. In 1972, he became a prisoner of war for 11 months in Hoa Lo Prison when his F-4D Phantom jet was shot down.
Kittinger retired from the Air Force in 1982. Six years later, he became the first person to complete a solo balloon flight across the Atlantic.
Kittinger’s awards include a Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with five oak leaf clusters, and Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters.
Kittinger’s spouse, Sherry Kittinger, received the U.S. flag from his service.
(U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)
| Date Taken: | 09.09.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.10.2024 12:59 |
| Photo ID: | 8632684 |
| VIRIN: | 240909-A-IW468-6160 |
| Resolution: | 5748x3832 |
| Size: | 8.92 MB |
| Location: | ARLINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 42 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Military Funeral Honors with Funeral Escort are Conducted for U.S. Air Force Col. Joseph Kittinger, Jr. in Section 36 [Image 32 of 32], by Elizabeth Fraser, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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