JOE W. KITTINGER, JR.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

      Joe W. Kittinger, Jr., a native of Orlando, Florida, began
his aviation career dreaming of flying while watching planes at the
Orlando Municipal Airport.  He was accepted in the U.S.Air Force
aviation school in 1949.  After 28 years in the United States Air
Force, he spent 14 years as Vice President of Flight Operations for
Rosie O'Grady Flying Circus, where his duties included Banner Towing,
Skywriting, the Rosie O'Grady helium balloon and hot air balloon
operations.  He is currently an Aviation and Aerospace Consultant and
a Barnstormer in a 1929 New Standard Open Cockpit Bi-Plane.

     A few of his many career highlights include:

        * World's Record Parachute Jump - 102,800 ft. 16 Aug 1960

        * First man to exceed sound barrier in freefall 16 Aug 1960

        * First Atlantic solo balloon flight 14-18 Sept 1984

        * 15,000 hrs of flight time in 68 different types of aircraft

        * 4 time winner of Gordon Bennett Trophy (Gas Balloon Race)

    Kittinger served three combat tours in Vietnam, was shot down
near Hanoi and held as a prisoner of war for over a year.  He has been
awarded the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross,
Harmon Trophy and a host of other military and civilian awards.
Recently enshrined into the National Aviation Hall of Fame as well as 
named an Elder Statesman of Aviation by the NAA, Kittinger is a 
genuine American hero.

    Joe Kittinger is the subject of a new Naval Institute book, The
Pre-Astronauts.  He is currently actively seeking sponsorships for
a planned attempt to fly around the world by balloon as part of the
Windstar Project.

See also: Complete Biographical Summary