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Motivational, Inspirational, Experimental
Dick Rutan made history in December of 1986 after completing a nine day, three minute and forty-four second round-the-world, non-stop and non-refueled flight, setting an absolute world’s record that still holds today. Setting the storm-battered Voyager down on the dry lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base,he successfully completed a six year quest doubling the previous world distance record. President Ronald Reagan awarded Dick the Presidential Citizen’s Medal of Honor at a special ceremony for the Voyager Team four days after the landing. The Medal of Honor has been presented only sixteen times in the history of the United States. Dick received his pilot’s license and driver’s license on his 16th birthday. He flew 325 missions in Vietnam, 105 of them as a member of the Super Sabre FAC, a high risk operation commonly known as the “MISTYS.” Dick was hit by enemy ground fire on his last mission and was forced to eject from his burning F-100 to be rescued later. Before retiring from the Air Force in 1978, Lt. Col. Rutan had been awarded the Silver Star, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals and a purple heart. Dick’s programs include One World-One Flight, Experimental Aircraft Forum and a special Youth Forum.
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Dick Rutan
