Thomas P. Stafford
Born: Sept. 17, 1930, Weatherford, Oklahoma
NASA experience: Stafford was selected among the second group of astronauts in September 1962 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to participate in Projects Gemini and Apollo. In December 1965, he piloted Gemini VI the first rendezvous in space, and helped develop techniques to prove the basic theory and practicality of space rendezvous. In June 1966 he commanded Gemini IX and performed a demonstration of an early rendezvous that would be used in the Apollo lunar missions, the first optical rendezvous and a lunar orbit abort rendezvous. From August 1966 to October 1968 he headed the mission planning analysis and software development responsibilities for the astronaut group for Project Apollo. Stafford was commander of Apollo 10 in May 1969, first flight of the lunar module to the moon, and descended to 9 miles above the moon performing the entire lunar landing mission except the actual landing. He performed the first rendezvous around the moon, and designated the first lunar landing site. He also made reconnaissance and tracking on future Apollo landing sites. Stafford was cited in the Guinness Book of World Records for highest speed ever attained by man that occurred during Apollo 10 re-entry when the spacecraft attained 24,791 statute miles per hour. He was assigned as head of the astronaut group in June 1969, responsible for the selection of flight crews for projects Apollo and Skylab.
Military experience: Stafford graduated with honors in 1952 from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He received his pilot wings at Connally AFB, Waco, Texas, in September 1953. He completed advanced interceptor training and was assigned to the 54th Flight Interceptor Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, South Dakota. In December 1955 he was assigned to the 496th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Hahn Air Base, Germany, where he performed the duties of pilot, flight leader and flight test maintenance office, flying F-86Ds. He attended the USAF Experimental Test Pilot School.