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Frank Frederick Borman II

commander of the first manned mission to orbit the Moon

Biographical Data

Born March 14, 1928, in Gary, Indiana

Married To Susan Bugbee
Children Frederick and Edwin

Education

Bachelor of Science U.S. Military Academy at West Point, 1950
Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering California Institute of Technology, 1957

Hrvard Business School Advanced Management Program, 1970

Military Career

United States Air Force, 1950-1970
fighter pilot with the 44th Fighter Bomber Squadron in the Phillipine Islands, 1951-1953
operational pilot and instructor in various squadrons in the United States, 1953-1956
assistant professor of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics at West Point, 1957-1960
experimental test pilot with the USAF Aerospace Pilot School, 1960-1962
instructor at the Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California
retired with the rank of Colonel

NASA Career

Selected as one of the second group of astronauts in 1962.

Commander, Gemini 7, December 14-18, 1965
with Jim Lovell
linked with Gemini 6 in the first ever space orbital rendezvous
first men to spend 14 continuous days in space

Apollo 204 Fire Investigation Board, 1967
investigated the causes of the fire which killed three astronauts aboard an Apollo spacecraft

Commander, Apollo 8, December 21-27, 1968
with James Lovell and William Anders
the first manned lunar orbiter mission
in orbit about 70 miles above lunar surface for about 20 hours

head of team that re-engineered the Apollo spacecraft
Field Director, Space Station Task Force

Post-NASA Career

Eastern Airlines, 1970-1986
began as a vice-president, retired as CEO

Patlex, board of directors, 1988-1996

Special Presidential Ambassador to nations of the Far East
sought to raise support abroad for release of American P.O.W.s held by North Vietnam

Organizations

Air Transport Association of America, board of directors
Alfalfa Club, president, 1968
National Space Society, board of governors

Awards and Honors

Harmon International Aviation Trophy
Robert J. Collier Trophy
National Geographic Society's Hubbard Medal
Congressional Space Medal of Honor, 1978
International Aerospace Hall of Fame, 1990
Airport Operators Council International Downes Award, 1990
U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, 1993

SOURCE
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/borman-f.html

SEE ALSO
U.S. Military Academy at West Point

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This page was last updated on 05/27/2017.