[X-15]

This item comes from the collection of Colonel Michael R. Yunck (1918-1984), a highly decorated naval aviator and flying ace who flew multiple combat missions in the Guadalcanal Campaign in World War II. After the second World War, Yunck served as a test pilot at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland and with Air Development Squadron 5 (VX-5) at Moffett Field in California. Yunck proceeded to serve as a logistics officer of Marine Air Group 33 during the Korean War and as an operations officer of the 1st Marine Air Wing during the Vietnam War. While flying co-pilot during a helicopter mission on December 10, 1965, Yunck was critically wounded by ground fire and lost his right leg. He retired at the rank of Colonel and over the course of his career had been awarded two Silver Stars and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After retirement, he was involved in the aerospace industry and acquired this item for his personal collection.