James Verdin was capable of a reaching great deal of speed on the football field when playing for Abraham Lincoln High School in the mid 1930s.  But he was destined for more speed than his own legs could carry him.  A lot more.  In fact faster than any man had ever moved before.

   James Bernard Verdin was born in Miles City, Montana, in 1918, and moved with his mother and sister to Council Bluffs following the death of his father.  They lived in an apartment on Fourth Street then moved to a house at 219 Stutsman.  His mother, Nellie, worked for the state employment agency.  Known as Bernard or Bernie in high school, he was fairly active, serving on the school newsletter staff, did some theater work, and was involved with social clubs, in addition to being a good football player.

   Following graduation from AL in 1936 Bernie attended Iowa State then served in the Navy during World War II as a pilot.  He was awarded the Navy Cross, Distinguish Flying Cross, Air Medal and Gold Star in lieu of a second Air Medal for service in the Pacific.  After the war he enrolled in the Naval Academy in Annapolis.  Following more stuides at the University of Minnesota he became a test pilot for the Navy.  

   Piloting a Douglas F4D Skyray Lt. Commander Verdin claimed the world speed record by flying at 742.2 miles per hour.  He later broke his own record by reaching 753.3 mph.

   He retired from the Navy in 1954 and began work as a test pilot for Douglas Aircraft.  His mother moved to Iowa City; his sister married and also moved from Council Bluffs.

   His career at Douglas lasted less than a year.  While testing a Douglas A4D Skyhawk 30,550 feet over the Mojave Desert he radioed, "I'm in trouble.  I'm leaving." and bailed out of the aircraft.  The bomber crashed fifteen miles north of Victorville, California.  Over 2000 searchers fanned out over a 10,000 square mile area of the desert using Air Force, Navy, sheriffs' and Douglas airplanes.  After 23 hours his body was located.  His seat ejected properly but the parachute had failed to open.  He was 36.