1946 Sweeny graduate Capt. Joe B. Jordan (1929-1990) set an official world altitude record with his F-104C aircraft December 14, 1959. After taking off from Edwards AFB he reached 103,389 feet, a new world altitude record. Joe also reached a time-to-climb record to 98,424 feet from brake release in 15 min 4.92 sec. At the time it was the first aircraft taking off on its own power to reach the 100,000 foot altitude.The recipient of the 1960 Harmon Trophy, Joe is also a member of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame and has a street named after him at Edwards Air Force Base in California.