Jean Hixson | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1922-09-30)September 30, 1922 Hoopeston, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | September 21, 1984(1984-09-21) (aged 61) Akron, Ohio, U.S. |
| Military career | |
| Service | United States Air Force Reserve |
| Rank | Colonel |
Jean Hixson (September 30, 1922 – September 21, 1984) was an Americanaviator, aWomen Airforce Service Pilot and part of theMercury 13. She was also the second woman to exceedMach One.
Jean Hixson was born inHoopeston, Illinois.[1][2] Hixson began taking flying lessons at age 16 and was able to get her pilot's license by the age of 18. After Hixson received her license, she began to train with the Women's Air force Service Pilots (WASP). DuringWorld War II Hixson flewB-25 Mitchells as anengineering test pilot. After the war, she became a flight instructor inAkron, Ohio. After hours, she attendedAkron University and received a degree in Elementary and Secondary Education.[3]
In 1957 Hixson also became the second woman to exceed the speed of sound, in aLockheed F-94C Starfire flying at over 840 miles per hour (1,350 km/h).[4]
TheMercury 13 was a group of women who underwent training in 1959 to train for mission Mercury. Hixson was a member of this group.[5]
After testing in the Mercury 13 program, Hixson went to work at the Flight Simulator Techniques branch of theUSAF Reserve atWright Patterson AFB inDayton, Ohio.[3]
In 1982, she retired from the Air Force Reserves as acolonel, and that same year chaired a WASP reunion.
In 1983, she completed 30 years of service with the Akron, Ohio school system.
Hixson died of cancer at age 61 on September 21, 1984.[6]