Word: schirra
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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After two successful three-orbit flights National Aeronautics and Space Administration scientists decided that a six-orbit spin, probably in September, would be "well within the capability of the capsule" and of the man who flies it. Tagged for the job: Navy Commander Walter M. Schirra Jr., 39, whose parents were both pilots. Outgoing, witty and completely self-possessed, Schirra (rhymes with hurrah) is married to an admiral's step daughter, has two children. Because of the flight's length, he will be brought down in the Pacific off Midway, not in the Atlantic...
...flight. Said he with a grin: "Maybe I'm a link between Ham the Space Chimp and man." Whatever the reasons, it was Shepard who was chosen by National Aeronautics and Space Administration officials for the first, historic hop. Slayton and Cooper busied themselves with communications; Schirra and Carpenter flew jet chase planes over the range; Slayton and Grissom were on hand to greet their buddy at Grand Bahama Island; John Glenn was the back-up man and checked out the capsule...
...Lieut. Commander M. Scott Carpenter, U.S.N., Captain L. Gordon Cooper Jr., U.S.A.F., Lieut. Colonel John H. Glenn Jr., U.S.M.C., Captain Virgil I. Grissom, U.S.A.F., Lieut. Commander Walter M. Schirra Jr., U.S.N., Captain Donald K. Slayton, U.S.A.F...