Background
Knight, William J. was born on November 18, 1929 in Noblesville, Indiana, United States. Son of William T. and Mary Emma (Illyes) Knight.
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William J. Knight
Edit Profileair force officer State Senator
William J. Knight, American State senator, retired air force officer. Fellow American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (associate), Society Experimental Test Pilots (past president); member Air Force Association, International Order of Characters, Aerospace Primus Club, Daedalians, Elks, Shriners.
Education
Bachelor of Science, Air Force Institute Technology, 1958; student, Industrial College Armed Forces, 1973-1974.
Career
Second in command Lieutenant, United States Air Force, 1953; advanced through grades to colonel, United States Air Force, 1971; fighter pilot, Kinross Air Force Base, Michigan, 1953-1956; experimental test pilot, Edwards Air Force Base, California, 1958-1969; experimental test pilot,, Viet Nam, 1969-1970; director test and deployment F-15 program, 1976; director, Flight Attack System Program Office, 1977-1979; vice commander Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, 1979-1982; retired, United States Air Force, 1982; mayor, City of Palmdale, California, 1988-1992; member, California Assembly, Sacramento, 1992-1996; member, California Senate, Sacramento, since 1996. Vice president Eidetics International, Torrance, California, 1988-1992.
Achievements
Membership
Fellow American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (associate), Society Experimental Test Pilots (past president). Member Air Force Association, International Order of Characters, Aerospace Primus Club, Daedalians, Elks, Shriners.
Connections
Married Helena A Stone, June 7, 1958. Children: William Peter, David, Stephen. Married Gail A. Johnson, September 3, 1983.
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Born
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Nationality
American
Awards
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Decorated Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with 2 oakleaf clusters, Air medal with 11 oak leaf clusters, Astronauts Wings. Recipient Octave Chanute award, 1968, Harmon International trophy, 1968, citation of honor Air Force Association, 1969 winner Allison Jet Trophy Race, 1954. Named to National Aviation Hall of Fame, 1988, Lancaster Aerospace Walk of Honor, 1990, International Space Hall of Fame, 1998.Decorated Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with 2 oakleaf clusters, Air medal with 11 oak leaf clusters, Astronauts Wings. Recipient Octave Chanute award, 1968, Harmon International trophy, 1968, citation of honor Air Force Association, 1969 winner Allison Jet Trophy Race, 1954. Named to National Aviation Hall of Fame, 1988, Lancaster Aerospace Walk of Honor, 1990, International Space Hall of Fame, 1998.