Major General Eldon Wayne Joersz (born February 2, 1944) is an American pilot, who jointly holds the World Air Speed Record

Air speed record

An air speed record is the highest airspeed attained by an aircraft of a particular class. The rules for all official aviation records are defined by Fédération Aéronautique Internationale , which also ratifies any claims. Speed records are divided into multiple classes with sub-divisions...

.

Joersz and Ltc George T. Morgan Jr. set the air speed record on July 28, 1976 in an SR-71 Blackbird

SR-71 Blackbird

The Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" was an advanced, long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft. It was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by the Lockheed Skunk Works. Clarence "Kelly" Johnson was responsible for many of the...

 at Beale Air Force Base

Beale Air Force Base

Beale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately east of Marysville, California. Originally known as Camp Beale....

. They went to 2,194 mph (3,529.56 km/h), breaking the record of Daniel Andre and Robert L. Stephens

Robert L. Stephens

Robert L. "Silver Fox" Stephens was an American United States Air Force test pilot who set several speed and altitude records while testing the Lockheed YF-12 and SR-71.-Early years:Robert L...

 of 2070 mi/h.

During his career in the United States Air Force

United States Air Force

The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...

, Joersz held several positions, including instructor for the T-38 Talon and SR-71, as a pilot during the Vietnam War in an F-105 Thunderchief from Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand; as well as Wing Commander from May 1987 to May 1989 at K.I. Sawyer, AFB, Michigan, over Strategic Air Commands 46th Air Refueling Squadron and 644th Bombardment Squadron.

His awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal

Defense Distinguished Service Medal

The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a United States military award which is presented for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to national security or defense of the United States...

, Legion of Merit

Legion of Merit

The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...

, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

The Defense Meritorious Service Medal is the third-highest award bestowed upon members of the United States military by the United States Department of Defense...

, amongst others.

He graduated from North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as North Dakota State University , is a public university in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU has about 14,000 students and it is the largest university in North Dakota based on full time students and land size...

 in 1966 and received his masters degree from Auburn University

Auburn University

Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...

in 1976. He retired from the Air Force in 1997.

External links

• http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=5948 Joersz bio