JOSPEH W. KITTINGER JR
Rank/Branch: O5/United States Air Force, pilot
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
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: F4D
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.
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