View source for Joseph Kittinger

{{Short description|American military pilot (1928–2022)}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox military person
| name          = Joseph Kittinger
| birth_name = Joseph William Kittinger II
| birth_place   = [[Tampa, Florida]], U.S.
| birth_date    = {{birth date|1928|7|27}}
| death_place   = [[Orlando, Florida]], U.S.
| death_date    = {{death date and age|2022|12|9|1928|7|27}}
| placeofburial = [[Arlington National Cemetery]]
| placeofburial_label = Place of burial
| image         = Joseph Kittinger, Jr.jpg
| caption       = Colonel Joseph W. Kittinger II, USAF<br /> (pictured as a captain)<br /> '''First person to conduct stratospheric [[space diving]]'''
| nickname      = Red
| allegiance    = [[United States of America]]
| branch        = [[File:Seal of the US Air Force.svg|25px]] [[United States Air Force]]
| serviceyears  = 1949–1978
| rank          = [[File:US-O6 insignia.svg|25px]] [[Colonel]]
| alma_mater    = [[University of Florida]]
| unit          = 
| commands      = 
| battles       = [[Vietnam War]]
| awards        = [[File:Silver Star Medal ribbon.svg|23px|border]] [[Silver Star]] (2)<br />[[File:Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|23px|border]] [[Legion of Merit]] (2)<br />[[File:Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg|25px|link=Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)]] [[DFC (US)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] (6)<br />[[File:Bronze Star Medal ribbon with "V" device, 1st award.svg|23px|border]] [[Bronze Star]] ([["V" Device|Valor]]) (3)<br />[[Image:Purple Heart ribbon.svg|border|23px]] [[Purple Heart]] (2)<br />[[Image:Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|23px|border]] [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]]<br />[[Image:Air Medal ribbon.jpg|border|23px]] [[Air Medal]] (24)<br />[[Image:Prisoner of War Medal.svg|23px|border]] [[Prisoner of War Medal]]
| relations     = 
| laterwork     = Vice President of Flight Operations for Rosie O'Grady's Flying Circus (1978–1992)
}}

'''Joseph William Kittinger II''' (July 27, 1928 – December 9, 2022) was an American military pilot who was an [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]] in the [[United States Air Force]]. He served from 1950 to 1978 and earned [[U.S. Air Force aeronautical rating#USAF rating requirements|Command Pilot]] status before retiring with the rank of [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]]. He held the world record for the highest skydive—102,800 feet (31.3&nbsp;km)—from 1960 until 2012.<ref name="AmExp">{{cite web |title=Space Men: They were the first to brave the unknown (Transcript) |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/spacemen/ |website=American Experience |publisher=PBS |access-date=January 2, 2019 |date=March 1, 2016 |archive-date=February 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221143316/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/spacemen/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|PyGmTV0q2kY|Mission to the edge of Space&nbsp;– Red Bull Stratos&nbsp;– Trailer}}</ref>

Kittinger participated in the [[Project Manhigh]] and [[Project Excelsior]] high-altitude balloon flight projects from 1956 to 1960 and was the first man to fully witness the curvature of the Earth. 

A fighter pilot during the [[Vietnam War]], Kittinger shot down a North Vietnamese [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]] jet fighter. He was later shot down as well, subsequently spending 11 months as a [[prisoner of war]] in a North Vietnamese prison before he was repatriated in 1973.

In 1984, Kittinger became the first person to make a solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in a gas balloon.

In 2012, Kittinger participated in the [[Red Bull Stratos]] project as [[Flight controller#CAPCOM|capsule communicator]] at age 84, directing [[Felix Baumgartner]] on his {{convert|24|mi|adj=on|sp=us}} freefall from Earth's [[stratosphere]], which broke Kittinger's own 53-year-old record. Felix Baumgartner's record would be broken two years later by [[Alan Eustace]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/science/for-world-record-alan-eustace-fought-atmosphere-and-equipment.html |title=15 Minutes of Free Fall Required Years of Taming Scientific Challenges |last=Markoff |first=John |date=October 28, 2014 |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 2, 2021 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721043915/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/science/for-world-record-alan-eustace-fought-atmosphere-and-equipment.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Early life and military career==
Born in [[Tampa, Florida]], and raised in [[Orlando, Florida]], Kittinger was educated at [[The Bolles School]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], and the [[University of Florida]]. He became fascinated with planes at a young age and soloed in a [[Piper Aircraft#1940s|Piper Cub]] by the time he was 17. After racing [[speedboat]]s as a teenager, he entered the [[U.S. Air Force]] as an aviation cadet in March 1949. On completion of [[Aviation Cadet Training Program (USAAF)|aviation cadet training]] in March 1950, he received his [[U.S. Air Force aeronautical rating|pilot wings]] and a commission as a [[second lieutenant]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=93 |title=Joseph W. Kittinger, Jr. |website=veterantributes.org |access-date=February 15, 2017 |archive-date=October 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004164123/http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=93 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was subsequently assigned to the [[86th Airlift Wing|86th Fighter-Bomber Wing]] based at [[Ramstein Air Base]] in [[West Germany]], flying the [[F-84 Thunderjet]] and [[F-86 Sabre]].<ref name=RefA>{{cite book |title=Come Up and Get Me: An Autobiography of Colonel Joe Kittinger |last1=Ryan |first1=Craig |last2=Kittinger |first2=Joseph |publisher=University of New Mexico Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-0826348043}}</ref><ref name=aviationspeakers>{{cite web |url=https://www.aviationspeakers.com/joe-kittinger-jr |title=Joe Kittinger, Jr. |publisher=The Aviation Speakers Bureau |website=aviationspeakers.com |access-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201104321/https://www.aviationspeakers.com/joe-kittinger-jr |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1954, Kittinger was transferred to the [[Air Force Missile Development Center]] (AFMDC) at [[Holloman Air Force Base|Holloman AFB]], New Mexico. It was during this assignment that he flew the observation/chase plane that monitored flight surgeon Colonel [[John Stapp]]'s [[rocket sled]] run of {{convert|632|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in 1955. Kittinger was impressed by Stapp's dedication and leadership as a pioneer in aerospace medicine. Stapp, in turn, was impressed with Kittinger's skillful jet piloting, later recommending him for space-related aviation research work. Stapp was to foster the high-altitude balloon tests that would later lead to Kittinger's record-setting leap from over {{convert|102,800|ft|m}}. In 1957, as part of ''[[Project Manhigh]]'', Kittinger set an interim [[balloon]] altitude record of {{convert|96,760|ft|m}} in ''Manhigh I'', for which he was awarded his first [[Distinguished Flying Cross (USA)|Distinguished Flying Cross]].<ref name=RefA/><ref name=aviationspeakers/>
{{multiple image
 | direction = vertical
 | width = 150
 | header= Project Excelsior
 | image1 = Joseph Kittinger and the Excelsior gondola.jpg
 | caption1 = Kittinger next to the ''Excelsior'' gondola
 | image2 = Kittinger-jump.jpg
 | caption2 = Kittinger's record-breaking skydive from ''Excelsior III''
 | image3 = Excelsior NMUSAF Display.jpg
 | caption3 = Replica of ''Excelsior III'' gondola and mannequin of Kittinger at the [[National Museum of the U.S. Air Force]]<ref name=afnationalmuseum/>
}}

==Project Excelsior==
{{Main|Project Excelsior}}
Captain Kittinger was next assigned to the [[311th Human Systems Wing|Aerospace Medical Research Laboratories]] at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base|Wright-Patterson AFB]] in [[Dayton, Ohio]]. For ''Project Excelsior'' (meaning "ever upward"), a name given to the project by Colonel Stapp as part of research into [[high-altitude]] bailouts,<ref name=afnationalmuseum>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=562 |title=Factsheets: Excelsior Gondola |publisher=National Museum of the USAF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331012902/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=562 |archive-date=March 31, 2010}}</ref> he made a series of three extreme altitude [[parachute]] jumps from an open gondola carried aloft by large helium balloons. These jumps were made in a "rocking-chair" position, descending on his back, rather than in the usual face-down position familiar to skydivers.<!--then why does the photo show him face-down?--> This was because he was wearing a {{convert|60|lb|abbr=on}} "kit" on his behind, and his [[pressure suit]] naturally formed a sitting shape when it was inflated, a shape appropriate for sitting in an airplane cockpit.<ref name=afnationalmuseum/>

''Excelsior I'': Kittinger's first high-altitude jump, from about {{convert|76,400|ft|m}} on November 16, 1959, was a near-disaster when an equipment malfunction caused him to lose consciousness.<ref name=supersonic/> The automatic parachute opener in his equipment saved his life. He went into a [[Flat spin (aviation)|flat spin]] at a rotational velocity of about 120 [[Revolutions per minute|rpm]], the [[g-force]]s at his extremities having been calculated to be over 22 times the force of gravity, setting another record.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sites.google.com/a/rams.colostate.edu/the-edge-of-engineering/ |title=The Edge of Engineering |access-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009083301/https://sites.google.com/a/rams.colostate.edu/the-edge-of-engineering/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Excelsior II'': On December 11, 1959, Kittinger jumped again from about {{convert|74,700|ft|m}}. For this leap, he was awarded the [[A. Leo Stevens Parachute Medal]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aero.com/publications/parachutes/9601/pc0196.htm |title=The A. Leo Stevens Parachute Medal: A Baker's Dozen of Early Recipients |date=August 2011 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20101125063836/http://aero.com/publications/parachutes/9601/pc0196.htm |archive-date=November 25, 2010}}</ref>

''Excelsior III'': On August 16, 1960, Kittinger made the final high-altitude jump at {{convert|102800|ft|m}}.<ref name=supersonic>{{cite news |author=John Tierney |title=A Supersonic Jump, From 23 Miles in the Air |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/science/16tier.html?src=me&ref=general |quote=In 1960, Kittinger, then a 32-year-old air force pilot, jumped from a balloon 102,800 feet above the New Mexico desert. |work=[[New York Times]] |date=March 15, 2010 |access-date=March 17, 2010 |author-link=John Tierney (journalist) |archive-date=March 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100318060552/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/science/16tier.html?src=me&ref=general |url-status=live }}</ref> Towing a small [[drogue parachute]] for initial stabilization, he fell for 4 minutes and 36 seconds, reaching a maximum speed of {{convert|614|mph}}<ref name=afnationalmuseum/><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://mlsandy.home.tsixroads.com/Corinth_MLSANDY/jk004.html |title=Fantastic catch in the sky, record leap toward earth |magazine=Life |date=August 29, 1960 |access-date=November 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201123600/http://mlsandy.home.tsixroads.com/Corinth_MLSANDY/jk004.html |archive-date=December 1, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> before opening his parachute at {{convert|18000|ft|m}}. Incurring yet another equipment malfunction, the pressurization for his right glove malfunctioned during the ascent and his right hand swelled to twice its normal size,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/24/sports/othersports/24jump.html |title=20-Year Journey for 15-Minute Fall |first=Matt |last=Higgins |date=May 24, 2008 |work=New York Times |access-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829231744/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/24/sports/othersports/24jump.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Paterson">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/faster-than-the-speed-of-sound-the-man-who-falls-to-earth-1877875.html |title=Faster than the speed of sound: the man who falls to earth |first=Tony |last=Paterson |date=January 25, 2010 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |access-date=January 18, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220617/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/faster-than-the-speed-of-sound-the-man-who-falls-to-earth-1877875.html |archive-date=June 17, 2022}}</ref> but he rode the balloon up to 102,800 feet before stepping off.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/us/felix-baumgartner-skydiving.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |title=Daredevil Jumps, and Lands on His Feet |first=John |last=Tierney |work=New York Times |date=October 14, 2012 |access-date=February 22, 2017 |archive-date=September 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920052538/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/us/felix-baumgartner-skydiving.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Quote box|align=right|quote=Lord, take care of me now.|source= — Kittinger, jumping from the balloon gondola ''Excelsior III'' at 102,800 feet<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/inductee/joseph-w-nkittinger/ |title=Joseph W. Kittinger |publisher=The International Space Hall of Fame |access-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209221011/https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/inductee/joseph-w-nkittinger/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} Of the jumps from ''Excelsior'', Kittinger said:<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Florida Trend]]|url=http://www.floridatrend.com/article/1935/icon-joseph-kittinger|title=Florida Icon: Joseph Kittinger|date=May 31, 2011|access-date=October 15, 2012|archive-date=October 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018025124/http://www.floridatrend.com/article/1935/icon-joseph-kittinger|url-status=live}}</ref>
<blockquote>There's no way you can visualize the speed. There's nothing you can see to see how fast you're going. You have no depth perception. If you're in a car driving down the road and you close your eyes, you have no idea what your speed is. It's the same thing if you're free falling from space. There are no signposts. You know you are going very fast, but you don't feel it. You don't have a 614-mph wind blowing on you. I could only hear myself breathing in the helmet.</blockquote>

Kittinger set [[Flight altitude record|historical numbers]] for highest balloon ascent, highest parachute jump, longest-duration drogue-fall (four minutes), and fastest speed by a human being through the atmosphere.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/eagles/kittnger.htm |title=Joseph W. Kittinger – USAF Museum Gathering of Eagles |access-date=April 16, 2006 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205062355/http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/eagles/kittnger.htm |archive-date=February 5, 2005 }}</ref> These were the USAF records, but were not submitted for aerospace world records to the {{lang|fr|[[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale]]|italic=no}} (FAI).<ref>{{cite book|last=Kittinger|first=Joseph|title=Come Up and Get Me|year=2010|publisher=UNM Press|isbn=978-0-8263-4804-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zvnSSGvYSEoC&q=Kittinger+FAI&pg=PT106|access-date=January 12, 2021|archive-date=February 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221214725/https://books.google.com/books?id=zvnSSGvYSEoC&q=Kittinger+FAI&pg=PT106#v=snippet&q=Kittinger%20FAI&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Kittinger's record for the highest ascent was broken in 1961 by [[Malcolm Ross (balloonist)|Malcolm Ross]] and [[Victor Prather]]. His records for highest parachute jump and fastest velocity stood for 52 years, until they [[Red Bull Stratos|were broken]] in 2012 by [[Felix Baumgartner]].
[[File:Stargazer Gondola.jpg|thumb|right|''Stargazer'' gondola on display at the [[National Museum of the U.S. Air Force]]]]

For this series of jumps, Kittinger was profiled in ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' magazine and the ''[[National Geographic Magazine]]'', decorated with a second [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]], and awarded the [[Harmon Trophy]] by President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Dictionary/kittinger/DI29.htm |title=Joseph Kittinger, Jr. |publisher=U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission |access-date=July 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609063217/http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Dictionary/kittinger/DI29.htm |archive-date=June 9, 2012 }}</ref>

Kittinger appeared as himself on the January 7, 1963, episode of the game show ''[[To Tell the Truth]]''. He received two votes.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/5CcaW-sDXpk Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200420120544/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CcaW-sDXpk&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web |title=To Tell the Truth |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CcaW-sDXpk&list=PL39ftvD_GHaEXJCry46G3_qp2-e_hkBXj |website=You Tube | date=July 22, 2016 |access-date=April 12, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Project Stargazer==
Back at [[Holloman Air Force Base]], Kittinger took part in ''Project Stargazer'' on December 13–14, 1962. He and the [[astronomer]] William C. White took a balloon packed with scientific equipment to an altitude of about {{convert|82,200|ft|m}}, where they spent over 18 hours and performed a number of [[astronomy|astronomical]] observations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=White, William C. (1922– ) – the balloon encyclopedia |url=http://stratocat.com.ar/stratopedia/300.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908142357/http://stratocat.com.ar/stratopedia/300.htm |archive-date=September 8, 2014 |access-date=March 9, 2016}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Betz |first=Eric |date=December 10, 2020 |title=Project Stargazer: The history and future of balloon-based astronomy |url=https://www.astronomy.com/space-exploration/project-stargazer-the-history-and-future-of-balloon-based-astronomy/ |access-date=June 25, 2024 |website=Astronomy Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> After the first flight, however, the project was canceled due to the NASA's recent ability to send astronauts into space, and launch satellites into Earth orbit.<ref name=":0" />

==Later USAF career==
In 1965, after returning to the operational Air Force, Kittinger was approached by civilian amateur parachutist [[Nick Piantanida]] for assistance on Piantanida's ''Strato Jump'' project, an effort to break the previous freefall records of both Kittinger and [[Soviet Air Force]] officer [[Yevgeni Nikolayevich Andreyev|Yevgeni Andreyev]]. Kittinger refused to participate in the effort, believing Piantanida's approach to the project was too reckless. Piantanida died in 1966 as the result of a mishap suffered during his ''Strato Jump III'' attempt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1008811/men-who-fall-earth|title=The men who fall to Earth|date=August 12, 2012|access-date=March 9, 2016|archive-date=April 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407033337/http://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1008811/men-who-fall-earth|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kittinger later served three combat tours of duty during the [[Vietnam War]], flying a total of 483 [[Aerial warfare|combat mission]]s. During his first two tours he flew as an aircraft commander in Douglas [[A-26 Invader]]s and modified [[On Mark Engineering]] [[A-26 Invader|B-26K Counter-Invader]]s as part of Operations [[Farm Gate (military operation)|Farm Gate]] and Big Eagle.

Following his first two Vietnam tours, he returned to the United States and soon transitioned to the [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II]]. During a voluntary third tour of duty to Vietnam in 1971–72, he commanded the [[555th Fighter Squadron|555th Tactical Fighter Squadron]] (555 TFS), the noted "Triple Nickel" squadron, flying the F-4D Phantom II. During this period he was credited with shooting down a North Vietnamese [[MiG-21]] while flying an F-4D, USAF Serial No. 66-7463, with his WSO, 1st Lieutenant Leigh Hodgdon.<ref name="USAFheritage">{{cite web|title=Col. Joe Kittinger Jr.|publisher=USAF Heritage|url=http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/person.asp?dec=&pid=123006518 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322014956/http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/person.asp?dec=&pid=123006518|archive-date=March 22, 2012}}</ref>

Kittinger was shot down on May 11, 1972, just before the end of his third tour of duty. While flying an F-4D, USAF Serial No. 66-0230, with his weapons systems officer, 1st Lieutenant William J. Reich, Kittinger was leading a flight of Phantoms approximately {{convert|5|mi}} northwest of [[Thai Nguyen]], [[North Vietnam]], when they were engaged by a flight of MiG-21 fighters. Kittinger and his wingman were chasing a MiG-21 when Kittinger's F-4 was hit by an air-to-air missile from another MiG-21 that damaged the plane's starboard wing and set the aircraft on fire. Kittinger and Reich ejected a few miles from Thai Nguyen and were soon captured and taken to the city of [[Hanoi]]. During the same engagement, Kittinger's wingman, Captain S. E. Nichols, shot down the MiG-21 they had been chasing.<ref>{{cite book|title=Vietnam Air Losses|first= Chris |last=Hobson|publisher= Midland Publishing|location= Hinckley UK|year=2001 |page=226|isbn=1-85780-115-6}}</ref>

Kittinger and Reich spent 11 months as [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]] (POWs) in the [[Hỏa Lò Prison]], the so-called "[[Hanoi Hilton]]". Kittinger was put through [[strappado|rope torture]]<ref>Kittinger, Joseph (2010). Come Up and Get Me. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. ISBN 978-0-8263-4803-6</ref> soon after his arrival at the POW compound and this made a lasting impression on him. Kittinger was the senior ranking officer (SRO) among the newer prisoners of war, ''i.e.'', those captured after 1969. In Kittinger's autobiography "''Come Up and Get Me''" (by Kittinger and Craig Ryan), Kittinger emphasized being very serious about maintaining the military structure he considered essential to survival. Kittinger and Reich were returned to American hands during [[Operation Homecoming]] on March 28, 1973, and they continued their Air Force careers, with Kittinger having been promoted to full colonel while in captivity. Following his return, Colonel Kittinger attended and graduated from the [[Air War College]] at [[Maxwell AFB]], Alabama and concurrently completed requirements for a bachelor's degree via an extension center of [[Tulane University]].<ref name="Grier, Peter 2014, p.66">"Kittinger"; Grier, Peter; Air Force Magazine, August 2014, p.66</ref>

Following completion of the Air War College, Kittinger became the vice commander of the [[48th Fighter Wing|48th Tactical Fighter Wing]] at [[RAF Lakenheath]], United Kingdom, where he again flew the F-4 Phantom II. In 1977, he transferred to Headquarters, [[12th Air Force]], at [[Bergstrom AFB]], Texas, retiring from the U.S. Air Force in 1978.<ref name="Grier, Peter 2014, p.66"/><ref name="USAFheritage"/>

Kittinger accumulated 7,679 flying hours in the U.S. Air Force, including 948 combat flying hours during three tours during the Vietnam War. In addition, he has flown over 9,100 hours in various civilian aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=93 |title=Kittinger's flying hours |access-date=July 4, 2016 |archive-date=October 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004164123/http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=93 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Military awards and decorations==
Kittinger received the following awards and decorations during his USAF career:<ref>{{cite web|title=Col. Joe Kittinger Awards|publisher=Sherri Lester-Aguirre and Sherry Kittinger|access-date=August 6, 2012|url=http://joekittinger.com/recordsawards.html|archive-date=April 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424080515/http://joekittinger.com/recordsawards.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
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| colspan="4"|[[File:COMMAND PILOT WINGS.png|275px]]
|-
| colspan="4"|[[File:US Army Airborne master parachutist badge.gif|125px]]
|-
|
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Silver Star Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=5|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|other_device=v|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=20|type=oak|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Air Force Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=AF Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.png|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Prisoner of War Medal.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Army of Occupation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=7|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=6|type=oak|ribbon=Air Force Longevity Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Vietnamese Gallantry Cross, with palm.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}}
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
| colspan="6"|[[U.S. Air Force aeronautical rating|USAF Command Pilot wings]]
|-
| colspan="6"|[[Parachutist Badge (United States)|Master Parachutist Badge]]
|-
| colspan="6"|[[Silver Star]] w/ 1 bronze [[oak leaf cluster]]
|-
| colspan="2"|[[Legion of Merit]] w/ 1 bronze oak leaf cluster
| colspan="2"|[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] w/ 1 silver oak leaf cluster
| colspan="2"|[[Bronze Star Medal]] w/ [[Valor device]] and {{nowrap|2 bronze oak leaf clusters}}
|-
| colspan="2"|[[Purple Heart]] w/ 1 bronze oak leaf cluster
| colspan="2"|[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]]
| colspan="2"|[[Air Medal]] w/ 4 silver oak leaf clusters
|-
| colspan="2"|[[Air Medal]] w/ 2 bronze oak leaf clusters
| colspan="2"|[[Air Force Commendation Medal]]
| colspan="2"|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan="2"|[[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award]]
| colspan="2"|[[Prisoner of War Medal]]
| colspan="2"|[[Army of Occupation Medal]]
|-
| colspan="2"|[[National Defense Service Medal]]<br />w/ 1 bronze [[service star]]
| colspan="2"|[[Vietnam Service Medal]] w/ 1 silver and 2 bronze [[service star]]s
| colspan="2"|[[Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon]] {{nowrap|w/ 1 silver and 1 bronze [[oak leaf cluster]]s}}
|-
| colspan="2"|[[Marksmanship Ribbon|USAF Marksmanship Ribbon]]
| colspan="2"|[[Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)|Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm]]
| colspan="2"|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal|Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
|}

==Award Citations==

===Silver Star citation (first award)===

[[File:Silver_Star_medal.png|left|40px]]

<blockquote>The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph William Kittinger, Jr. (AFSN: AO-190919/FR-52808/AD-14329714), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an F-4D Aircraft Commander of the 432d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Force, in action over hostile territory in Southeast Asia, on 1 March 1972. On that date, Colonel Kittinger led a flight of two F-4D Tactical Fighters that provided cover from hostile aircraft for bombing operations in support of friendly forces. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Colonel Kittinger aggressively engaged a superior number of hostile aircraft in aerial combat and successfully destroyed one enemy aircraft. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Colonel Kittinger has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.</blockquote>

===Silver Star citation (second award)===

[[File:Silver_Star_medal.png|left|40px]]

<blockquote>The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Joseph William Kittinger, Jr. (AFSN: AO-190919/FR-52808/AD-14329714), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force during the period 11 May 1972 to 13 June 1972, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions, and propaganda materials. Colonel Kittinger resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.</blockquote>

===Legion of Merit citation (first award)===

[[File:Us legion of merit legionnaire.png|40px|left]]

<blockquote>The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph William Kittinger, Jr. (AFSN: AO-190919/FR-52808/AD-14329714), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Air Operations Officer, Special Operations Center, Europe, J-3 Directorate, United States European Command, from July 1968 to July 1970. In this extremely sensitive position, Colonel Kittinger's personal initiative, exceptional knowledge of unconventional warfare and counter insurgency operations, coupled with a keen appreciation of the overall military and political objectives of the United States in Europe and in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, contributed to decisions and programs of broad significance to the United States, the Department of Defense, and the United States European Command. Colonel Kittinger's professional competence, dedication, tenacity, and distinguished performance of duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.</blockquote>

===Legion of Merit citation (second award)===

[[File:Us legion of merit legionnaire.png|40px|left]]

<blockquote>The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Joseph William Kittinger, Jr. (AFSN: AO-190919/FR-52808/AD-14329714), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Chief, Ready Team Program Management, Headquarters, TWELFTH Air Force, Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas, from 11 April 1977 to 31 July 1978. Under Colonel Kittinger's superior leadership, depth of knowledge and aggressive management ability, the transition of the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing from F-4 aircraft to the F-15 was accomplished without loss of combat effectiveness. Colonel Kittinger's direct personal contributions to the management of the planning and execution of major aircraft unit conversions have contributed greatly to the overall combat readiness of the Tactical Air Command. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Kittinger culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.</blockquote>

===Distinguished Flying Cross citation (first award)===

[[File:Dfc-usa.jpg|left|40px]]

<blockquote>The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Joseph William Kittinger, Jr. (AFSN: AO-190919/FR-52808/AD-14329714), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 2 June 1957 in performing a solo flight to an altitude of 97,000 feet in a gondola suspended from a plastic balloon. Scientific measurements made by Captain Kittinger constitute a valuable pioneering contribution to our knowledge of extreme altitude flight. Despite difficulties due to communications malfunction and a minor oxygen failure during the flight, Captain Kittinger remained emotionally stable and outstandingly effective in collecting and transmitting data, manipulating scientific instruments, taking pictures under extremely difficult conditions and relaying as much information as possible by Morse code to ground recorders. In preparation for this, he underwent many months of preparatory training during which he participated in parachute jumps, altitude chamber tests and free balloon flights. The contributions of Captain Kittinger to the first experimental flight of a human in the MAN-HIGH project reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.</blockquote>

===Distinguished Flying Cross citation (second award)===

[[File:Dfc-usa.jpg|left|40px]]

<blockquote>The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Joseph William Kittinger, Jr. (AFSN: AO-190919/FR-52808/AD-14329714), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 16 August 1960 near Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. On that date, Captain Kittinger made an open gondola balloon ascent to an altitude of 102,800 feet, surpassing all previous records. From this record altitude, Captain Kittinger successfully tested an experimental stabilization parachute system, free-falling for four minutes and thirty-eight seconds to an altitude of 17,500 feet where deployment of the recovery parachute occurred. By this historic achievement of national and international significance, Captain Kittinger has made a vital contribution to the advancement of aeronautical science. The personal courage, outstanding airmanship and selfless devotion to duty of Captain Kittinger reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.</blockquote>

===Distinguished Flying Cross citation (third award)===

[[File:Dfc-usa.jpg|left|40px]]

<blockquote>The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major Joseph William Kittinger, Jr. (AFSN: AO-190919/FR-52808/AD-14329714), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Aircraft Commander over North Vietnam on 4 July 1966. On that date, while engaged in a night armed reconnaissance mission, Major Kittinger accepted a diversionary flak suppression mission against a highly defended target. Disregarding his own personal safety, Major Kittinger made repeated flak suppression attacks and flare passes over heavily armed targets. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Kittinger reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.</blockquote>


===Distinguished Flying Cross citation (fourth award)===

[[File:Dfc-usa.jpg|left|40px]]

<blockquote>The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph William Kittinger, Jr. (AFSN: AO-190919/FR-52808/AD-14329714), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Aircraft Commander over Southeast Asia on 16 November 1966. On that date, Colonel Kittinger willingly risked his life as he aggressively attacked hostile forces in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire. With full realization of the extreme hazards involved, Colonel Kittinger attacked the target repeatedly until he had expended all of his ordnance. This singular act of heroism resulted in the destruction of three active anti-aircraft positions, several fully loaded fuel trucks and was credited with causing several hostile casualties. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Kittinger reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.</blockquote>


===Distinguished Flying Cross citation (fifth award)===

[[File:Dfc-usa.jpg|left|40px]]

<blockquote>The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph William Kittinger, Jr. (AFSN: AO-190919/FR-52808/AD-14329714), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4D Aircraft Commander over hostile territory on 18 April 1972. On that date, Colonel Kittinger led a flight of two F-4D Tactical Fighters that struck a heavily defended truck park and storage area. Despite marginal weather conditions and heavy ground fire directed at his aircraft, Colonel Kittinger's outstanding airmanship and leadership were directly responsible for the destruction of the target complex. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Kittinger reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.</blockquote>

===Distinguished Flying Cross citation (sixth award)===

[[File:Dfc-usa.jpg|left|40px]]

<blockquote>The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph William Kittinger, Jr. (AFSN: AO-190919/FR-52808/AD-14329714), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Aircraft Commander near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 16 April 1972. On that date, Colonel Kittinger was flying an F-4D fighter aircraft on a mission to provide protection from hostile interceptors for sixteen strike aircraft hitting targets in the Hanoi area. While flying in extremely hazardous weather conditions and taking ground fire from heavy anti-aircraft guns and surface-to-air missiles, Colonel Kittinger successfully chased off two flights of hostile aircraft. The protection given the strike force by Colonel Kittinger resulted in the successful completion of a very difficult mission. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Kittinger reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.</blockquote>

===Bronze Star citation (first award)===

[[File:Bronze Star medal.jpg|40px|left]]

<blockquote>The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph William Kittinger, Jr. (AFSN: AO-190919/FR-52808/AD-14329714), United States Air Force, for meritorious service while engaged in ground operations against an opposing armed force in Southeast Asia as Operations Officer, Detachment 1, 603d Air Commando Squadron, from 14 July 1966 to 2 January 1967. During this period, Colonel Kittinger was responsible for effectively implementing all mission requirements of project "Big Eagle," an extremely important test and evaluation of A-26 aircraft in the night combat environment of Southeast Asia. These responsibilities included operational details involved in deploying the detachment from the United States to Southeast Asia, establishing operational needs and procedures for initiating the test and evaluation criteria necessary for the "Big Eagle" project, and supervision of all details concerned with maintenance and armament, scheduling, and development of combat tactics and mission profiles to accomplish the mission. These responsibilities were completed in a clearly superior manner. The exemplary leadership, personal endeavor, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Kittinger in this responsible position reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.</blockquote>


===Bronze Star citation (second award)===

[[File:Bronze Star medal.jpg|40px|left]]

<blockquote>The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" to Colonel Joseph William Kittinger, Jr. (AFSN: AO-190919/FR-52808/AD-14329714), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period 31 May 1972 to 28 March 1973. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.</blockquote>

===Bronze Star citation (third award)===

[[File:Bronze Star medal.jpg|40px|left]]

<blockquote>The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" to Colonel Joseph William Kittinger, Jr. (AFSN: AO-190919/FR-52808/AD-14329714), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 1972 to March 1973. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.</blockquote>

===Prisoner of War Medal citation===

[[File : POWM.jpg|40px|left]]

<blockquote>Colonel Joseph William Kittinger, Jr. (AFSN: AO-190919/FR-52808/AD-14329714), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from May 11, 1972 until his release on March 28, 1973.<ref>{{cite web |title=Joseph Kittinger - Recipient - |url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/24461#55059 |website=valor.militarytimes.com |access-date=26 June 2023 |language=en |archive-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626045055/https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/24461#55059 |url-status=live }}</ref></blockquote>


==Later civilian career==
Kittinger retired from the Air Force as a [[Colonel (United States)|colonel]] in 1978 and initially went to work for [[Martin Marietta]] (now [[Lockheed Martin]]) Corporation in [[Orlando, Florida]]. He later became vice president of flight operations for Rosie O'Grady's Flying Circus, part of the [[Church Street Station (Orlando)|Rosie O'Grady's/Church Street Station]] entertainment complex in Orlando, prior to the parent company's dissolution.

Still interested in ballooning, Kittinger set a world distance record for the AA-06 size class of gas balloons of {{convert|3,221.23|km|sp=us}} in 1983.<ref name=FAI>{{cite web|title=History of Records, Joseph W. Kittinger, Jr.|publisher=FAI|url=http://records.fai.org/data?p=658|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608155226/http://records.fai.org/data?p=658|archive-date=June 8, 2011}}</ref> The record has since been broken. In 1984, he completed the first solo balloon crossing of the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] in the {{convert|106,000|cuft|adj=on}} ''Balloon of Peace'', launched from [[Caribou, Maine]], on September 14 and landing on September 18. The flight was organized by the Canadian promoter Gaetan Croteau.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Long, Lonely Flight|first=Joe W.|last=Kittinger, Jr.|magazine=[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]]|pages=270–276|volume=167|issue=2|date=February 1985|issn=0027-9358|oclc=643483454}}</ref> An official [[Fédération Aéronautique Internationale|FAI]] world aerospace record, the {{convert|5,703.03|km|sp=us|adj=on}} flight is the longest gas balloon flight in the AA-10 size category.<ref name=FAI/> For the second time in his life, he was the subject of a story in [[National Geographic Magazine]].

Kittinger participated in the [[Gordon Bennett Cup in ballooning]] in 1989 (ranked third) and 1994 (ranked 12th).

In the early 1990s, Kittinger helped [[NASA]] plan [[Charles "Nish" Bruce]]'s project to break Kittinger's highest parachute jump record.<ref>Tom Read, Freefall (Little Brown, 1st ed., 1998). {{ISBN|0-316-64303-3}}.</ref> The project was suspended in 1994.

Joining the [[Red Bull Stratos]] project, Kittinger advised [[Felix Baumgartner]] on Baumgartner's October 14, 2012, free-fall from {{convert|128,100|ft}}.<ref name="Paterson"/> The project collected leading experts in the fields of aeronautics, medicine, and engineering to ensure its success. Kittinger served as [[Flight controller#Spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM)|CAPCOM]] (capsule communicator) for Baumgartner's jump, which broke Kittinger's altitude record set during Project Excelsior.<ref>{{cite web|title=Col. Joe Kittinger|url=http://www.redbullstratos.com/the-team/joe-kittinger/|work=Red Bull Stratos&nbsp;– The Team|access-date=October 14, 2012|archive-date=October 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014233348/http://www.redbullstratos.com/the-team/joe-kittinger/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Langewiesche, William (May 2013) "The Man Who Pierced the Sky" ''Vanity Fair'', pp. 174–183, 203–204</ref>

In 2013, Kittinger helped balloonist Jonathan Trappe as he attempted to be the first to cross the Atlantic by cluster balloon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/January/09/trappe-balloon.aspx|title=Atlantic crossing beckons|date=September 2014|access-date=January 12, 2014|archive-date=January 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112135550/http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/January/09/trappe-balloon.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:F-4 Phantom II Collings Foundation.jpg|thumb|Collings Foundation F-4D Phantom II with markings & serial number of the F-4D that then-Lt Col Kittinger achieved his [[MiG-21]] kill in while commanding the [[555th Fighter Squadron|555th Tactical Fighter Squadron]]. The actual F-4D, AF Ser. No. 66-7463, is now on permanent display at the [[USAF Academy]].]] 
In 1997, Kittinger was inducted into the [[National Aviation Hall of Fame]] in [[Dayton, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Records and awards |url=http://joekittinger.com/recordsawards.html |access-date=March 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424080515/http://joekittinger.com/recordsawards.html |archive-date=April 24, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On January 23, 2007, the [[Civil Air Patrol]] honored Kittinger by renaming the Texas CAP wing's TX-352 Squadron after him. Texas Governor [[Rick Perry]] cited Kittinger's work, as did the Texas state senate with a special resolution presented during the dedication ceremony attended by Kittinger and his wife, Sherry. The Colonel Joseph W. Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron of CAP's Texas Wing is based at the former [[Bergstrom AFB]], the site of Kittinger's last active duty assignment in the Air Force and which is now the [[Austin-Bergstrom International Airport]].

Kittinger was honored at a 2009 ceremony in [[Caribou, Maine]], the launch point for his 1984 solo trans-Atlantic balloon flight. He also served as the guest of honor at the community's sesquicentennial celebration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstflight.org/shrine/joe_kittinger.php|title=Paul E. Garber Shrine|work=First Flight Society|access-date=June 28, 2013|archive-date=November 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114004645/http://www.firstflight.org/shrine/joe_kittinger.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{youTube|quaZVqMe56s|Col. Joe Kittinger in Caribou, Maine Parade Sept 2009}}</ref>

On February 20, 2013, Kittinger visited his ''alma mater'', the [[University of Florida]], and spoke to over 400 students and faculty about his role in the Red Bull Stratos and ''Excelsior III''.<references group="The Gainesville Sun"/> The event took place during the UF Engineers Week, and it was made possible due to the efforts of the UF American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, UF's [[Air Force ROTC]] Detachment 150, and the UF College of Engineering.<ref name="UF alum, 84, talks about helping daredevil break his parachute jump records">{{cite web|last=Kegu|first=Jessica|title=UF alum, 84, talks about helping daredevil break his parachute jump records|url=http://www.gainesville.com/article/20130221/ARTICLES/130229865/?tc=ar|work=The Gainesville Sun|access-date=May 30, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064059/http://www.gainesville.com/article/20130221/ARTICLES/130229865/?tc=ar|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In November 2023, Kittinger was posthumously inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame in [[Tallahassee, Florida]].<ref>https://floridaveteranshalloffame.org/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://floridaveteranshalloffame.org/?page_id=5956#:~:text=Joseph%20Kittinger%20%E2%80%8E&text=A%20Florida%20native%2C%20POW%2C%20and,both%20war%20and%20peace%20times | title=2023 Inductees – Florida Veteran's Hall of Fame }}</ref>

In April 2025, the U.S. Post Office in [[Casselberry, Florida]] was renamed the Colonel Joseph W. Kittinger II Post Office Building.<ref>https://about.usps.com/newsroom/local-releases/fl/2025/0409ma-casselberry-po-building-to-be-dedicated-colonel-joseph-w-kittinger-ii.htm</ref>

===Colonel Joe Kittinger Park===
[[File:F4D 650747 Kittinger.jpg|thumb|F-4D, AF Ser. No. 65-0747, on display at Colonel Joe Kittinger Park]]
In September 1992, Colonel Joe Kittinger Park<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityoforlando.net/fpr/html/Parks/JoeKittinger.htm |title=City of Orlando :: Families, Parks and Recreation – Colonel Joe Kittinger Park |access-date=June 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140126112912/http://www.cityoforlando.net/fpr/html/Parks/JoeKittinger.htm |archive-date=January 26, 2014 }}</ref> in [[Orlando, Florida]], was completed by the [[Greater Orlando Aviation Authority]] (GOAA) for the [[City of Orlando]]. Located on the southwest corner of the [[Orlando Executive Airport]], at the corner of Crystal Lake Drive and South Street, the park was named in Kittinger's honor, but was temporarily closed and partially demolished circa 2008–2011 in order to create a [[stormwater runoff]] retention area to permit a highway expansion project of the [[Florida State Road 408|State Road 408]] East-West Expressway. In March 2011, the park was reopened at its previous location.<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Aviation Hero, Colonel Joe Kittinger, Re-Opens Park in His Honor at Orlando Executive Airport |url=http://www.orlandoairports.net/press/2011/20110316.htm |access-date=March 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615215732/http://orlandoairports.net/press/2011/20110316.htm |archive-date=June 15, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In spring 2014, the mayor of Orange County, the mayor of Orlando, the GOAA Board, and other City of Orlando and GOAA officials approved the installation in the park of a restored USAF [[F-4 Phantom II]] aircraft. The [[National Museum of the U.S. Air Force]] picked an [[F-4 Phantom II|F-4D]] previously on display in Corsicana, Texas (Air Force serial no. 65-0747) to be moved to Orlando for display.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityoforlando.net/elected/mayor/pressreleases/11_03_15_park.htm |title=Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer Reopens Colonel Joe Kittinger Park |access-date=June 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114003917/http://www.cityoforlando.net/elected/mayor/pressreleases/11_03_15_park.htm |archive-date=November 14, 2013 }}</ref> It was subsequently determined that Kittinger had flown this particular F-4D on several occasions when it was assigned to his fighter wing in [[Thailand]] during the Vietnam War, and later when it was assigned to his fighter wing in Great Britain. Disassembled in Texas and transported in two semi-trailers over several days, the aircraft arrived in Orlando on July 22, 2014. It was restored by a team of volunteers at Orlando Executive Airport and painted with the colors and markings of the squadron that Kittinger commanded during the Vietnam War. The restored aircraft was mounted on its pylon and formally dedicated on December 14, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandoairports.net/press/2014/20140722.htm|title=Orlando International Airport (MCO) – Press Release – 7/22/14 F-4 Phantom Arrives at ORL|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811232422/http://www.orlandoairports.net/press/2014/20140722.htm|archive-date=August 11, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbird-videos/f-4-phantom-arrives-orlando-serve-vietnam-vet-tribute.html|title=F-4 Phantom Arrives in Orlando to Serve as Vietnam Vet Tribute|work=Warbirds News|date=July 23, 2014|access-date=August 2, 2014|archive-date=August 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808124234/http://www.warbirdsnews.com/warbird-videos/f-4-phantom-arrives-orlando-serve-vietnam-vet-tribute.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life and death==
Kittinger died at the age of 94 on December 9, 2022, from [[lung cancer]],<ref name="USPA 2022">{{cite web |title=USPA Mourns Passing of Joe Kittinger |url=https://uspa.org/Discover/News/uspa-mourns-passing-of-joe-kittinger |website=United States Parachute Association |access-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209210157/https://uspa.org/Discover/News/uspa-mourns-passing-of-joe-kittinger |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 9, 2022 |title=Joseph Kittinger, who set longtime parachute record, dies |work=AP via Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/joseph-kittinger-who-set-longtime-parachute-record-dies/2022/12/09/25cbcf04-781f-11ed-a199-927b334b939f_story.html |access-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210194032/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/joseph-kittinger-who-set-longtime-parachute-record-dies/2022/12/09/25cbcf04-781f-11ed-a199-927b334b939f_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Richard Goldstein |title=Joseph Kittinger, a Record-Setter High in the Skies, Dies at 94 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/09/us/joseph-kittinger-dead.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=December 9, 2022 |date=December 9, 2022 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210013005/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/09/us/joseph-kittinger-dead.html |url-status=live }}</ref> survived by his wife, two sons, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He is interred at [[Arlington National Cemetery]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.starnewsonline.com/obituaries/pwlm0394743 |title=Colonel Joseph William Kittinger Jr |date=January 6, 2023 |access-date=March 1, 2023 |archive-date=March 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301065153/https://www.starnewsonline.com/obituaries/pwlm0394743 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Parachuting]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*{{Cite book|first=Joseph |last=Kittinger|title=The Long, Lonely Leap|year=1961|publisher=E. P. Dutton|location=New York}} (Kittinger's autobiography)
*{{Cite book|first=Gregory P. |last=Kennedy|title=Touching Space: the story of Project Manhigh|publisher=Schiffer|year= 2007|isbn=978-0-7643-2788-9}}
*{{Cite book|first=Craig|last=Ryan|title=The Pre-Astronauts: Manned Ballooning on the Threshold of Space|url=https://archive.org/details/preastronautsman00ryan|url-access=registration|publisher=[[Naval Institute Press]]|year= 1995|isbn=1-55750-732-5}}
*{{Cite book|first=Joseph |last=Kittinger|title=Come Up and Get Me| year=2010|publisher=University of New Mexico Press|location=Albuquerque|isbn=978-0-8263-4803-6}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/interview/spacemen-kittinger/ Interview: Joseph Kittinger] ''[[American Experience]]''
*[https://www.npr.org/2016/02/27/468321247/what-its-like-to-freefall-from-20-miles-above-the-earth Feb 27 2016 Interview: Joseph Kittinger] [[NPR]]
{{Spoken Wikipedia|En-JosephKittinger-article.ogg|date=December 10, 2017}}
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{{s-bef|before=''None''}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Space diving|Highest space dive]] (23.287 km)|years= November 16, 1959 – August 16, 1960}}
{{s-aft|after=Joseph Kittinger}}
{{s-bef|before=Joseph Kittinger}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Space diving|Highest space dive]] (31.333 km)|years= August 16, 1960 – October 14, 2012}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Felix Baumgartner]]}}
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{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kittinger, Joseph}}
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