Robert L. Matye 1922-2009

Robert L. Matye joined US Army Air Corps 1942. He was part of the 1^st jet fighter group in USAF

Flying the YP-59 and XP80 . He joined Lockheed as a production test pilot in 1948 and became an engineering test pilot in 1949,joining the “Skunk Works”.

He was a U-2 project pilot, being the 2nd person to fly the aircraft. He performed the majority of the altitude expansion tests, during his 3^rd flight he suffered engine failure and pressurization loss.

He became the F-104 Starfighter’s Chief pilot, developing the F-104A/B/C variants. In July 2005 he was awarded the CIA Seal Medallion for U-2 testing