Lieutenant Colonel John J Quinn (JJ) was born in Newark, New Jersey on September 20, 1920. He graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he also served as managing editor of the student newspaper He entered the Air Force in 1942 as a student in the Army Air Corps. In 1963, he retired as a senior pilot with more than 15,000 flying hours in the P-51, P-47, P-38, YP-59A, P-80C, YRB-49, YF-89A-D/J, F-100, F-5, T-38, B707 and many other aircraft.He participated in test flying the first US jet fighter at Muroc Dry Lake, now Edwards AFB. In 1950, he joined Northrop Aircraft as an engineering test pilot on the YF-89 and was also involved in test flying the YRB-49 Northrop Flying Wing. As the Chief Test Pilot of the YF-89, he was the pilot of the first flight at Edwards and later flew the production version of the F-89 from Los Angeles to Edwards. Before he retired from Northrop Aircraft, his non-flying assignments were Concept and Proposal Manager for the T-38 and F-89J Programs.
His flying experience also includes many years as a Captain with Golden West Airlines flying the DHC-6.
In recognition for his test pilot achievements, J.J. received the Edwards AFB Veteran Experimental Test Pilot 'Eagle' Award. J.J. was also a founder and trustee of the Air Force Flight Center Museum at Edwards AFB. His professional pilot affiliations included the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and Quiet Birdmen.