There are some astronauts that are household names. Neil Armstrong, of course. Buzz Aldrin. But other names are known only to space geeks.
The Apollo program featured numerous astronauts, including the first American to walk in space, Edward H. White II.
James A. McDivitt was the commander on that mission, Gemini 4.
In 1969, he commanded Apollo 9, which everyone forgets about. It's the mission where they tested the lunar module. People tend to forget about test flights.
Like all of the Apollo astronauts, McDivitt was an air force veteran. He joined the Air Force in 1951 and was accepted for pilot training with zero experience. He flew 145 combat missions in the Korean War then went to the University of Michigan to study aeronautical engineering...and that's where he met Edward White.
NASA was apparently quite willing to send best friends up together. Which makes sense. There wasn't much space in that capsule!
After Apollo 9, McDivitt was promoted to manage the program. He retired in 1972.
White, unfortunately, was killed in the 1967 Apollo 1 preflight fire. McDivitt spent many years as a private consultant.
He passed away yesterday at the age of 93. Apollo is vanishing into history.
Let's remember everyone who played important roles, not just the men who walked on the moon.
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