Maj. Robert Smith: 120,000 ft Altitude Record 1963 American Hero Test Pilot

In a Lockheed NF-104 Starfighter (specially modified F-104), Smith accelerated to Mach 2.5 and then cut in the rocket motor attached to his fighter at 85,000 feet. His Starfighter zoomed up to 120,000 feet where he used the reaction motors attached to his plane to maneuver since the air was too thin for typical flying. Basically he became a spaceship, spacesuit and all. He successfully (without dying or destroying the plane like Yeager) returned to land the aircraft. His altitude record was eventually broken in the 1970s by a Russian pilot in a Mig-25 which has since never been broken. Robert Smith was a fighter pilot with many kills in Korea in his F-86 and a Thud (F-105) pilot in Vietnam. He was awarded the Air Force Cross, Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross 5 times.

His bravery and achievements show us the way. Valor is in you. Set it free.