TRIBUTES
Jimmie Mattern was a pioneer in the truest sense of the word. [. . .] From his first flight in 1924, he was a trailblazer. [. . .] Jimmie Mattern was a giant. As we mourn his loss, we also rejoice in his life and legacy. Surely a special place in heaven has been reserved for this great and gentle man.
- Ronald Reagan, excerpt from a letter from Ronald Reagan to Dorothy Mattern on December 16, 1988
Jimmie Mattern is a pilot’s pilot.
- Gen. James “Jimmy” Doolittle
(led the Doolittle Raiders in the raid over Tokyo, Japan in WWII)
What a full and marvelous career you have had in the air. It is only through the early achievements that the rest of us could follow. We are standing on your shoulders as we reach for the stars. My thanks to you for providing the paths and guidance.
- Astronaut Alan Shepard
(Mercury 7, Apollo 14)
The spectacular achievements of modern aerospace scientists and engineers are, in a large measure, due to the inspiration they received from you and your aviation brethren.”
- Neil Armstrong
(first man on the moon, Apollo 11)
James Joseph ‘Jimmie’ Mattern was looking forward with enthusiasm to being here tonight for a reunion with his many Texas friends. Though he was born in Freeport, Illinois, he spent much of his early flying career in Texas and considered himself a Texan. However, his flight plan to Texas this time was cancelled by a higher authority. On December 11, 1988, he took off for his loftiest and longest flight.
We could spend hours reciting his scores of flight accomplishments. Most of you have already received listings of his famous flights, many establishing records which remain unbroken.
Though Jimmie has left us for a higher orbit and we will all miss him, his contributions will live on for generations to come through benefits that have accrued or will accrue for his followers.
We believe that Jimmie’s character, empathy, and compassion are best exemplified by the letter he wrote to Neil Armstrong and David Scott after their harrowing experience when their Gemini VIII capsule spun out of control in space in March 1966.
- 1988 tribute to Jimmie Mattern at the OX5 meeting in Texas, just after Jimmie's death.
As one of the newcomers to the world of aviation, I thank you for helping to pave the way.
John Young
(shuttle pilot Columbia I, Apollo X, and Gemini flights)
As one of the newcomers to the world of aviation, I thank you for helping to pave the way.
- John Young
(shuttle pilot Columbia I, Apollo X, and Gemini flights)
Mattern’s story is a thrilling tale of adventure and discovery. His legacy is one of dreaming and discovery, hard work and talent, tenacity, and bravery, and, above all, perseverance. Undaunted brings to life a truly American story of surviving and succeeding against all odds. It’s the pioneer aviators of the Golden Age like Jimmie who inspired me to start our first XPRIZE for spaceflight.
