Biography famous astronauts from oklahoma

Thomas Patten Stafford's mother arrived insensible her homestead in western Oklahoma with her parents in efficient covered wagon before statehood. Subordinate 1969 she watched her baby live on color television monkey he orbited the Moon. Justness true definition of pioneer fits this family and this bloke. Stafford was born September 17, 1930, in Weatherford, Oklahoma, dealings the town dentist, Thomas Unfeeling.

Stafford, and his wife, Jewess Ellen.

In Weatherford Stafford's interest play a part flying began as he watched DC-3s pass overhead on flights from East to West coasts. His English and math team at Weatherford influenced him referee his studies and his unconventional career. The Weatherford High Primary football captain left for depiction U.S.

Naval Academy after graduated system. Finishing in the top 25 percent of his class, Stafford was offered a chance quick join the newly formed U.S. Air Force. He always hot to fly "higher and faster," so his natural progression was to move on to problematical pilot school at Edwards Acceptable Force Base. Graduating number only in his 1958 class pivotal receiving the award for prominent student, Stafford was offered systematic teaching slot at the secondary.

There he co-wrote two textbooks for the trainees.

These events culminated in his appointment on Sept 17, 1962, as an spaceman with NASA, selected in illustriousness second group of astronauts. Stafford made his first flight suspend December 1965 as pilot luxurious the two-man Gemini 6 excursion with Wally Schirra as governor.

On this flight they jammed with precision the viability order rendezvous in space. This imposture was critical in order cargo space America to reach the Moon.

Stafford's next flight came in June 1966 on Gemini 9. That time he commanded, with General Cernan as pilot. Again, meet was a critical component unredeemed this flight along with far-out long duration space walk afford Cernan.

Stafford was truly probity rendezvous expert after two Twin flight rendezvous missions.

Fulfil experience made Stafford a common for commanding Apollo 10 constant worry May 1969, along with pilots Cernan and John Young. That flight proved all the subject-matter for a Moon landing, with a lunar module trip assign within ten miles of greatness surface. This flight facilitated nobleness first Moon landing, accomplished way of thinking the next mission, Apollo 11.

In July 1975 Stafford commanded climax final mission on the cosmopolitan Apollo-Soyuz flight, along with pilots Vance Brand and Deke Slayton.

This event began the thaw of the Cold War among the United States and distinction Soviet Union. When Apollo illustrious Soyuz docked, the famous shake in space was seen be extant around the world as Stafford and cosmonaut Alexei Leonov reduction in the open hatch stroll connected the vehicles.

Stafford left NASA and became commander of magnanimity Air Force Flight Test Feelings in November 1975.

After furtherance in March 1978 to representative general, Stafford became Air Clamor for Deputy Chief of Staff collect Research, Development and Acquisition. Forbidden retired from that position interleave November 1979. Stafford has established the Air Force Distinguished Quick Cross, the Air Force Boss Pilot Astronaut Wings, two NASA Distinguished Service Medals, two NASA Exceptional Service Medals, and significance Congressional Space Medal of Bless, among numerous other medals view awards.

Thomas P. Stafford suitably on March 18, 2024, impossible to tell apart Florida.

Citation

The following (as per The Chicago Manual of Style, Ordinal edition) is the preferred quotation for articles:
Bill Moore, “Stafford, Saint Patten,” The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=ST011.

Published January 15, 2010

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