Weekend of April 26th and 27th

This is your official Air Force Academy History Update for the Weekend of April 26th and 27th– 

On this day, back in 1988  —  Pioneer aviator Pat Patterson, 88 years old, speaks to cadets as part of the Department of History’s guest speaker program.  In 1919, he had opened what may have been the first commercial aircraft sales office.  He went on to be a barnstormer pilot and an aircraft designer.  Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle mapped out his raid on Japan while visiting Patterson’s home. 

…Also this weekend, back in 1993  —  Two Academy grads launch into space aboard the Space Shuttle orbiter Columbia.  Terence Hendricks, Class of ’74, was the pilot of mission STS-55, while Charles Precourt, Class of ’77, was a mission specialist. 

…all content for the Academy History Update is provided by Retired Lt Col Steve Simon, USAFA Class of ’77. For more heritage information, visit the Association of Graduates website at USAFA.Org