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| Click Here For Full Artist Print Indexes | Aviation History Archive |
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Aviation Art Prints  Pilot Signatures Modern Era Signatures United States D to L  Knight, William |
[UP] - Day, George - DeCarlo, Jeff - Dietz, William - Driscoll, Willie - Ferraro, Jan - Fisher, Bernard - Floyd, Howard - Foster, Hook - Gabreski, Gabby - Gilliland, Robert - Goldfein, Dave - Graham, Richard - Hartmann, Jack - Hearn, Chris - Heller, Edwin - Hunt, Pete - Jerakis, John - Kane, John - Kearns, William - Kittinger, Joe - Knight, William - Lafferty, Daniel - Lane, Mike |
USAF Col William J Pete Knight | USAF Col William J Pete Knight Pete Knight was born in NovIesville, Indiana on November 18, 1929. He attended Butler and Purdue Universities, and was commissioned through the Aviation Cadet Program of the USAF in 1952. Following his flight training Pete was assigned to the Air Defense Command as a jet fighter pilot. He won the Allison Jet Trophy at the National Air Show in Dayton in 1954. Pete graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1954 earning a degree in aeronautical engineering. He then transferred to Edwards Air Force Base to attend Experimental Test Pilots School from which he graduated in 1959. He remained at Edwards following graduation as a fighter test pilot. From 1960 - 1963 Pete was involved with the Dyna-Soar program. Following cancellation of that program Pete returned to Edwards and completed Aerospace Research Pilots School. He began work on the X-15 program in 1965. He established the world speed record of 4,520 MPH in the X-15, a record which stands till this day. He earned his astronaut wings on a flight in the X-15 to an altitude of more than 50 miles. He was personally presented the Harmon International Aviators Trophy by President Johnson in 1968, and was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1988. He served as the Vice Commander of Edwards Air Force Base prior to his retirement from the United States Air Force with the rank of Colonel following thirty-two years of service. Colonel Knight flew more than one hundred different types of aircraft during his career as a test pilot. He also flew 253 combat missions in Vietnam. Following his military career Pete began a career in politics. His first position was as a member of the Palmdale City Council. He then became the first popularly elected Mayor of Palmdale in 1988. From 1992-1996 Pete was an Assemblymen in the California legislature. In 1996 he was elected to the State Senate where he serves on the Senate Education, Revenue and Taxation, Governmental Organization committees. Pete is also Vice-Chairman of the Senates Veterans Affairs Committee. Pete is known throughout his district by his open door policy. He makes a concerted effort to speak with anyone who wants to speak with him. This sense of service has made Senator Knight one of the most popular public figures in the Antelope Valley of California. Pete's numerous military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Medal with ten Oak Leaf Clusters. William Knight passed away on 8th May 2004. |
| USAF Col William J Pete Knight - Signed Aviation Art Prints, Paintings and Drawings |
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This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts. Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269. Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com
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