A 32-year career during some of the most
dramatic changes ever to the U.S. military from 1942—1974
Follow a professional flying officer through sweeping military
change, from World War II into the Cold War. Witness first
hand innovations for military aircraft, the evolution of
nuclear weapons, and the birth of the space program. Sit in
the pilot’s seat during test flights, flame-outs, engine fires
and jungle rescues.
Vaughn E. Denning has flown more than 48 different types of
airplanes, from a small single-engine wood and fabric bi-plane
to a Mach 2 jet fighter made of exotic metals and fabrics.
Col. Denning served and transported such civilian and military
leaders as Charles Lindbergh and General Jimmy Doolittle in
aircraft including the former presidential flagship Sacred
Cow.
Discover what it is like to work with military and elected
leaders in our nation’s capital.
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Col. Denning spent 10 years in the Washington, D.C.,
headquarters of the Air Force and a top agency of the
Department of Defense. While there, he worked with the Joint
Chiefs of Staff and the Atomic Energy Commission, planned and
conducted nuclear weapons tests, developed space satellites
and boosters, participated in launches, and created new space
capabilities.
After a three-decade military career, Col. Denning spent 17
years in the evolving space program building and launching
satellites. Since 1997, he has been a volunteer docent at the
Palm Springs Air Museum, which specializes in educating young
people about military aircraft in World War II. A video
interview with Col. Denning in cooperation with the Veterans
History Project will be included in the National Registry at
the Library of Congress.
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