Alvin S. White

Alvin Swauger White (December 9, 1918 - April 29, 2006) was an American test pilot, engineer, and a USAF astronaut. Born to Harold H. White, Sr. and Ruth A. Winkleman, in Berkeley, California, he was a pilot for over 60 years. In 1936, he enrolled in the University of California at Davis to study electrical engineering, and transferred to the campus at Berkeley two years later. He began his flying career in the Civilian Pilot Training Program, re... more

Alvin Swauger White (December 9, 1918 - April 29, 2006) was an American test pilot, engineer, and a USAF astronaut. Born to Harold H. White, Sr. and Ruth A. Winkleman, in Berkeley, California, he was a pilot for over 60 years. In 1936, he enrolled in the University of California at Davis to study electrical engineering, and transferred to the campus at Berkeley two years later. He began his flying career in the Civilian Pilot Training Program, receiving his license in 1940. During World War II, he enlisted as an Aviation Cadet, graduated from training at Williams Field in 1942. He later flew bomber escorts and strafing missions over Europe with the 355th Fighter Group from D-Day through V-E Day. After the war, White completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, and went on to become an engineering test pilot for the U.S. Air Force and North American Aviation. He participated in a variety of flight test programs over his career, including the F-86... less