RIP Captain Joe Kittinger 1928 - 2022 | FerrariChat
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RIP Captain Joe Kittinger 1928 - 2022

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by NYC Fred, Dec 10, 2022.

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  1. NYC Fred

    NYC Fred F1 World Champ
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    #1 NYC Fred, Dec 10, 2022
    ((Retired Air Force Col. Joseph Kittinger, whose 1960 parachute jump from almost 20 miles (32 kilometers) above the Earth stood as a world record for more than 50 years, died Friday in Florida. He was 94.

    His death was announced by former U.S. Rep. John Mica and other friends. The cause was lung cancer.

    Kittinger, then an Air Force captain and pilot, gained worldwide fame when he completed three jumps over 10 months from a gondola that was hoisted into the stratosphere by large helium balloons.))


     
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  2. Alpintourer

    Alpintourer F1 Rookie
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    #2 Alpintourer, Dec 10, 2022
    I watched that man fly off in a spherical netted helium balloon in thunderstorm conditions one evening in Indianola, Iowa in the 70's. Iron balls!
     
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  3. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 tazandjan, Dec 10, 2022
    A great pioneer. Believe he actually went supersonic on the way down on some of those jumps.
     
  4. Bob Parks

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    #4 Bob Parks, Dec 10, 2022
    I think that I remember that also.
     
  5. Chindit

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    #5 Chindit, Dec 11, 2022
    Colonel Joe Kittenger is one of my all-time heroes, and it saddens me that most Americans aren't familiar with his name. His courage was unparalleled and his contributions were epic. Rest in peace, Colonel Joe.
     
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  6. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
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    #6 jimshadow, Dec 11, 2022
    so glad I stumbled on this thread!

    RIP!
     
  7. dgalovich

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    #7 dgalovich, Dec 11, 2022
    RIP Joe...

    He's the epitome of a true American hero. After setting the world record:

    A fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, Kittinger shot down a North Vietnamese MiG-21 jet fighter. He was later shot down as well, subsequently spending 11 months as a prisoner of war in a North Vietnamese prison before he was repatriated in 1973.

    The nations stands on the shoulders of giants like Joe.
     
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  8. F2003-GA

    F2003-GA F1 World Champ
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    #8 F2003-GA, Dec 11, 2022
    God Bless Colonel Joe Kittinger's soul may he rest in peace
     
  9. Chindit

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    #9 Chindit, Dec 11, 2022
    Truer words have never been spoken.
     
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