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Tom StaffordAmerican astronaut
Date of Birth: 17.09.1930
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Military Service
- NASA and Gemini Program
- Apollo and Soyuz Missions
- Post-Spaceflight Career
- Family and Personal Life
- Additional Mentions
Early Life and Military Service
Born on September 17, 1930, Thomas Patten Stafford was an American astronaut who became one of 24 individuals to fly to the Moon. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1952 and served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. After completing primary flight training, he trained as an interceptor pilot and graduated with honors from the Test Pilot School.
NASA and Gemini Program
In September 1962, Stafford was selected as part of the second astronaut group by NASA. He served as a member of the Gemini 6A and Gemini 9A crews and was a mission commander for Apollo 10. Though he piloted the lunar module on Apollo 10, he was not among the 12 astronauts who walked on the surface of the Moon.
Apollo and Soyuz Missions
Stafford also commanded the Apollo-Soyuz mission, a joint venture between the United States and the Soviet Union. In 1969 and 1970, he was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions.
Post-Spaceflight Career
After his spaceflights, Stafford returned to the Air Force Flight Test Center until his retirement in 1979. A member of the Masonic Order, he was affiliated with the Western Star Lodge No. 138 in Oklahoma.
Family and Personal Life
Stafford's first marriage to Faye Shoemaker produced two daughters, Dionne Kay and Karen Elaine. After their divorce, he married Linda Ann Dishman, who had two children from a previous marriage, Casey Nering and Mark Hill. Together, they adopted two boys from a children's home near Fryanovo, Russia, naming them Michael Thomas and Stanislav. Stafford enjoyed hunting, sailing, weightlifting, and swimming as hobbies.
Additional Mentions
In the documentary series "Secrets of Forgotten Victories: Taming Satan," Stafford is credited as one of the creators of the B-52 strategic bomber. He also appears in footage from a friendly visit with Vladimir Utkin, a Soviet designer of strategic missiles.
