RIP Lt Col Frank Murray (Ret) Last A-12 pilot

Platapus · 04-10-23, 03:30 PM

On 26 March 23, Frank Murry died at the age of 93. He was one of only six pilots to fly the CIA's A-12 reconnaissance aircraft which was a predecessor of the SR-71. He was the last surviving A-12 pilot.

He learned to fly at the age of 15 and at 18, he enlisted in the New USAF in 1948 as an aircraft mechanic. In, 1952 after being promoted to Sergeant, he was accepted into the AF Aviation Cadet Flying Training Program.
His final assignment prior to becoming an A-12 pilot was a three-year tour as an A-12 safety chase pilot in direct support of Project Oxcart in the 1129th Special Activities Squadron at Area 51, Nevada. Lt Col Murray’s transition to the CIA, the A-12, and Project Oxcart came just as he was promoted to the rank of major. He chose to resign his commission to take the job.

He flew four operational missions in the A-12.

Murry was the pilot that located the USS Pueblo in the North Korean port of Wonson Harbor. For his service, he was awarded the CIA's Intelligence Star for Valor.

After the A-12 program was canceled, he was accepted back into the USAF (not uncommon for CIA pilots)
He volunteered for duty in Southeast Asia with the 1st Special Operations Squadron at Nakhon Phanom AB, Thailand. He flew 67 combat rescue missions in the A-1 Skyraider over Laos and Vietnam, ultimately commanding the squadron before returning to Tyndall and retiring from active duty in 1977 with 29 years of service.

04-10-23, 03:30 PM	#1
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	RIP Lt Col Frank Murray (Ret) Last A-12 pilot On 26 March 23, Frank Murry died at the age of 93. He was one of only six pilots to fly the CIA's A-12 reconnaissance aircraft which was a predecessor of the SR-71. He was the last surviving A-12 pilot. He learned to fly at the age of 15 and at 18, he enlisted in the New USAF in 1948 as an aircraft mechanic. In, 1952 after being promoted to Sergeant, he was accepted into the AF Aviation Cadet Flying Training Program. His final assignment prior to becoming an A-12 pilot was a three-year tour as an A-12 safety chase pilot in direct support of Project Oxcart in the 1129th Special Activities Squadron at Area 51, Nevada. Lt Col Murray’s transition to the CIA, the A-12, and Project Oxcart came just as he was promoted to the rank of major. He chose to resign his commission to take the job. He flew four operational missions in the A-12. Murry was the pilot that located the USS Pueblo in the North Korean port of Wonson Harbor. For his service, he was awarded the CIA's Intelligence Star for Valor. After the A-12 program was canceled, he was accepted back into the USAF (not uncommon for CIA pilots) He volunteered for duty in Southeast Asia with the 1st Special Operations Squadron at Nakhon Phanom AB, Thailand. He flew 67 combat rescue missions in the A-1 Skyraider over Laos and Vietnam, ultimately commanding the squadron before returning to Tyndall and retiring from active duty in 1977 with 29 years of service. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.