KITTINGER, JOSPEH W. JR Name: Joseph W. Kittinger Jr. Rank/Branch: O5/United States Air Force, pilot Unit: 432 TFW Date of Birth: 27 July 1928 Home City of Record: Orlando FL Date of Loss: 11 May 1972 Country of Loss: North Vietnam Loss Coordinates: 213000 NOrth 105300 East Status (in 1973): Returnee Category: Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F4D Missions: 485 Other Personnel in Incident: William Reich, returnee Source: Compiled by P.O.W. NETWORK from one or more of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources, correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. REMARKS: 730328 RELEASE BY DRV SOURCE: WE CAME HOME copyright 1977 Captain and Mrs. Frederic A Wyatt (USNR Ret), Barbara Powers Wyatt, Editor P.O.W. Publications, 10250 Moorpark St., Toluca Lake, CA 91602 Text is reproduced as found in the original publication (including date and spelling errors). UPDATE - 03/97 by the P.O.W. NETWORK, Skidmore, MO JOSEPH W. KITTINGER JR. Colonel - United States Air Force Captured: May 11, 1972 Released: March 28, 1973 Others in incident: none A short, stocky man with reddish hair and freckles was a relative newcomer to Hanoi. He was older than most of the POWs and was known as the "Red Baron" to some and as "Grandpa" to the younger pilots. He buoyed the spirits, boosted morale and was one of the best officers in the camp. He had confidence and courage, his outlook was positive. He knew that captivity was not forever and on his 307th day as a POW he was released. Joe Kittinger had confidence, enthusiasm and a desire for accomplishment. "Self-mastery is the key to the portals of the universe" and with these words he attempts and succeeds where many would be daunted. As a boy he wanted to fly. His plane ride in a "little old Ford two motor job" only enhanced that desire. Flying was his dream and since that time the accomplishment list has awed many. In 1949 Joe enlisted in the Air Force from the time at that $1.50 ride he was enamored by aviation. He spent his youth around planes - flying was to be his life. During his years as a test pilot, Joe volunteered to test a parachute that was to be used by astronauts. With calm courage he dramatically fell several miles, thus evoking the comment from aerospace doctor Paul Stamp, "Joe is the bravest man alive." At age 28 in 1957 in the early dawn Joe boarded a small gondola under a high balloon. He was to test man's endurance in space. Upward he went more than eighteen miles; it was the highest man had ever gone and he became known as "the first man in space". A brush with death came while flying an F-100. The plane went out of control, crashed and burned. Joe had bailed out at 1000 feet and not even a scratch! Later in 1960 he rode another balloon to the height of 102,000 feet. Wearing a bulky pressure suit he climbed out of the balloon. He descended for four minutes 38 seconds, finally reached the speed of 614 MPH, even through there was a drag chute which was used to slow his descent When asked about his fall, he said, "I didn't have time to worry " This gave Colonel Kittinger the record for the highest jump and longest free fall. Later he was given the credit for testing the parachute which would be used by astronauts in the event that an ejection was necessary. Joe served three tours in Vietnam. He volunteered for his third tour saying he wanted to go "because I want the war to end so my own sons won't have to go. By May 11, 1972, Joe had flown more than 485 missions as the pilot of an F-4 with the 432 TFW. Seven days before he was to return home, a missile struck the right side of his aircraft, the wings fell off, and the rear of his plane began to break up. His parachute was not observed and his family feared he was missing in action. However, several months later his wife and his two sons were notified he was a prisoner of war. Times were sometimes difficult, but Joe Kittinger, a Christian, turned to God in prayer. December 1996 Joseph Kittinger Jr. retired from the United States Air Force in 1978 with a Silver Star and the rank of Colonel. He and his wife Sherry reside in Florida. They have 2 sons and 4 grandchildren.