Capt Joe Jordan shakes hands with Lockheed Test Pilot Tony LeVier after his record flight at Edwards AFB December 14, 1959

Capt Joe B. Jordan sets world altitude record of 31.513 meter (103.389 feet) on December 14, 1959 with F-104C 56-0885 at Edwards AFB.
This was the first time that an aircraft taking off under its own power exceeded the 100.000 foot mark.
During the flight, the aircraft also reached a top speed of Mach 2.36 (1.400 mph / 2.253 km/h)
and established a time-to-height record to 30.000 meter (98.425 feet) of 15 minutes 4.92 seconds from brake release.

copyright © Peitzmeier archive via San Diego Air and Space Museum archive