Fred Ascani

Fred J. Ascani (born Alfredo John Ascani; May 29, 1917 – March 28, 2010) was an American major general and test pilot of the United States Air Force. He was one of the "Men of Mach 1"

Early years Ascani was born on May 29, 1917, in Beloit, Wisconsin, to Italian immigrants just 14 years after the Wright brothers achieved powered flight. His interest in aviation was sparked in 1927 when he watched Charles Lindbergh fly overhead in the Spirit of St. Louis on his historic flight to Paris. His family moved to Rockford, Illinois, several miles downriver from Beloit, where Ascani attended Rockford High School and enjoyed a hobby building model airplanes. In January 1946, Ascani met his new boss, Colonel Al Boyd, who would have a significant impact on both USAF flight test and Ascani's career. During his tour at Edwards AFB, Ascani flew a wide variety of research aircraft including the X-1, X-4, X-5, and the XF-92A. A highlight of his flying career occurred in 1951 when he flew an F-86E at the National Air Show in Detroit, Michigan, and established a new 100-kilometer closed course speed record of 635 mph. In September 1951, Colonel Ascani was named vice commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB. Although only two were constructed, the sleek Mach 3 bomber pioneered technological advances used in later high speed aircraft such as the YF-12 and SR-71. Ascani's organizational skills were put to the test once again when, in 1962, he was appointed chairman of a task force to realign the Air Force Systems Command functions at Wright Field. The resulting structure of four laboratories and a systems engineering group has remained relatively unchanged to the present day. A Requiem was held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria. Ascani was interred with full military honors on June 3, 2010, at Arlington National Cemetery with his wife of 61 years, Catherine Ascani (1918–2003).

Honors

Ascani's military decorations and awards include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and Croix de Guerre with palm (France). He is an Honorary Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, a member of the Military Aviation Hall of Fame, and an honoree in the city of Lancaster's Aerospace Walk of Honor. In 1992, Ascani was honored as an Eagle in the Air Command and Staff College's Gathering of Eagles Program. Beloit College presented him with its Distinguished Service Citation/DSC Award. In recognition of his absolute speed record in the F-86, he was awarded in 1951 the Thompson Trophy,

In June 2012, a street at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was named after Ascani.

Dates of promotion The effective dates of Ascani's promotions are: Second Lieutenant, 1941 First Lieutenant, not specified Captain, December 7, 1942 Major, January 1944 Lieutenant Colonel, November 6, 1944 Colonel, January 19, 1951 Brigadier General, July 1, 1961 Major General, September 24, 1964