Flights, Jumps and Records: A Life to Remember

On a beautiful late summer day, Vietnam War veteran and former prisoner of war Air Force Col. Joseph Kittinger Jr. was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, surrounded by family and friends.

The Air Force Honor Guard and Ceremonial Brass held military funeral honors with funeral escort for Kittinger. As the honor guard carried his urn to Section 36A, a lone airman held a POW/MIA flag high, honoring Kittinger’s 11 months in a North Vietnamese prison camp.

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Kittinger enlisted in the Air Force in 1949. During his 29-year career, he participated in several pre-space race projects, even setting a record for highest parachute jump in 1960, and was part of hundreds of Vietnam War flight missions.

Kittinger retired from the Air Force in 1982. Six years later, he became the first person to complete a solo balloon flight across the Atlantic.

During his exemplary military career, Kittinger received the Silver Star Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Bronze Star Medal among other decorations.

Airmen presented the American flag to his wife, Sherry Kittinger, during the service.

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