Joseph W. Kittinger Jr.
July 27, 1928 – December 9, 2022
Joseph W. Kittinger, Jr. was born in Tampa, Florida on July 27, 1928. He attended high school in Jacksonville, Florida. He then attended the University of Florida before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1949. From 1950 to 1953, he flew fighter jets in Europe. He was later shot down over Hanoi in 1972 during the Vietnam War and spent 11 months as a prisoner of war.
Kittinger’s passion for aviation extended beyond fixed wing airplanes; he spent the early part of his career dreaming of flying while watching airplanes at the Orlando Municipal Airport. He became interested in balloons and received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for piloting a balloon to 96,000 feet in Project “Manhigh,” in June of 1957. This would earn him the title of “First Man in Space.” Soon after in 1958, he became the Test Director of Project Excelsior and performed two high altitude parachute jumps at 76,400 and 74,700 feet. However, his most daring feat was yet to come.
At dawn on August 16th, 1960, his balloon rose to a staggering 102,800 feet.
Then, he jumped.
As he fell, he reached terminal velocity. He reported, “No wind whistles or tugs at me in the initial drop with no sensation of velocity.” After descending from 16 miles up and breaking the sound barrier with his own body, his main chute opened in the “longest free fall in history.” He reported by radio, “There is a hostile sky above me, man may live in space, but he will never conquer it.” Later, Joe remarked upon his record jump by stating, “I realize once again how dependent upon the protection of the Almighty are all seekers of the unknown.”
Joseph spent 28 years in the military and retired to Orlando to become the Vice President of Rosie O’Grady’s Flying Circus. His duties there included banner towing, skywriting, and operating the Rosie O’Grady helium balloon and hot air balloon.
Joseph Kittinger passed on December 9th, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. He is survived by his wife, two sons, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
