Growing Bolder Community

In 1972, decorated combat pilot and legendary aviator Joe Kittinger was shot down and imprisoned in the "Hanoi Hilton." The man in the next cell was John McCain. For the first time, Kittinger speaks out on camera about their experiences.

Eatonville, Florida, is built on dreams. It nurtured the goals of a young Zora Neale Hurston. This year the annual Zora! Festival celebrated an even bigger dream.

In 1984, Joseph P. Kittinger Jr. made aviation history when he became the first person to cross the Atlantic solo in a balloon. We visit with him to commemorate the event and reminisce with a true American pioneer.

Joe Kittinger has kept a secret for nearly two years but now it can be revealed. What does this 81-year-old American hero have to do with the most dangerous, most exciting record attempt in 50 years? Everything.

Col. Joe Kittinger is well-known for his legendary leaps forward in aviation. But there was a chapter left out of his amazing ballooning career. For several years, Kittinger was Michael Jackson's private pilot.

In 1984, at the age of 56, fighter pilot, daredevil and American aviation hero Joe Kittinger completed the first solo trans-Atlantic balloon flight from Maine to Italy. 25 years later, he shares his story with Growing Bolder. Here's a sneak peek.

Born in 1901, he not only survived WWI, but he also survived 3 years as a POW in WWII. Watch him recount his experiences and explain why he's not surprised to be living at 108 years old.

Decorated combat pilot Joe Kittinger has been pushing the envelope since he jumped out of a high-altitude balloon just past the edge of space. At age 80, he's still flying high and telling remarkable stories about his legendary life.