TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY: MAJ. JOHN "JACK" L. ARMSTRONG
Posted 1/14/2009
Printable Fact Sheet
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DAYTON, Ohio -- Maj. John "Jack" L. Armstrong exhibit in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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On Sept. 3, 1954, Maj. John "Jack" L. Armstrong, an Air Force test pilot at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, flew an F-86H to set a new speed record of 649.302 mph for the 500-km course. For this feat, Maj. Armstrong was awarded the General Electric Trophy, but sadly, he was unable to accept it. Two days later, while simulating the record flight to the crowd at the National Aircraft Show, Maj. Armstrong died when his F-86H suddenly broke up in mid-air.
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