developed by the Germans for the V-2. The two decided in 1946 to invest $1 million in a rocket engine test facility in Santa Susana, California, and a supersonic wind tunnel at Los Angeles International Airport. This paid off when North American landed the contract to develop the Navaho, a rocket-boosted intercontinental cruise missile. Kindelberger was promoted to chairman and chief executive officer in 1948, with Atwood replacing him as president. The Navaho project allowed North American to develop expertise in rocket engines, inertial navigation systems, and supersonic aerodynamics. This in turn led to securing contracts for many advanced aerospace vehicles in the late 1950s – the X-15 crewed hypersonic spaceplane, the Hound Dog missile, and the XB-70 Valkyrie triple-sonic bomber. The XB-70 required the company to develop new materials, welding, and manufacturing processes. Later life In 1960, Kindelberger retired and Atwood took over as Chief Executive. Kindelberger remained Chairman of the Board until his death on July 27, 1962, due to congestive heart failure at the age of 67. Dr. Toby Freedman was his personal doctor and Medical Director at NAA. Dr. Freedman was with Kindelberger when he died. He is buried at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. Upon his death, Atwood became chairman of the board. Legacy Under his guidance, North American Aviation broke technological barriers; produced propeller- and jet-powered fighters and bombers, military trainers, rocket engines, and rocket-powered aircraft; and began its role as the prime contractor for the country's space program. Between 1935 and 1967, North American Aviation (under Kindelberger's direction) built more military aircraft than any other airplane maker in U.S. history. In 1972, he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. The International Aerospace Hall of Fame inducted Kindelberger in 1977. Kindelberger was featured in a 2006 documentary by filmmaker William Winship, aired by PBS: Pioneers in Aviation: The Race to the Moon, which profiled five US aerospace pioneers:William Boeing, Donald Douglas, Dutch Kindelberger, Harrison Storms, and James McDonnell. The film included previously unreleased interviews, photos, and film footage of Kindelberger. References Notes Bibliography North American Aviation History The International Aerospace Hall of Fame Kindelbergers of Germany Mike Gray (1992), Angle of Attack: Harrison Storms and the Race to the Moon 1895 births 1962 deaths American aviation businesspeople Businesspeople in aviation Burials at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery American people of German descent United States Army Air Service