THIS DAY IN AIRPOWER HISTORY: World Record Set for Speed Over a Straight Course

Capt. Eldon W. Joersz, USAF, became “the fastest man on Earth” when he piloted a Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird at 2,193.16 mph near Beale Air Force Base, Calif., setting a Federation Aeronautique Internationale absolute world record for speed over a straight course that still stands today.

Read more about Al Joerz at Eldon W. Joersz | World Air Sports Federation (fai.org).