Walter M. Schirra Jr.

	WALTER M. SCHIRRA, Jr. Capt. USN Pioneer U.S. Astronaut
	Born Hackensack, N.J., 12 March 1923. U.S. Naval Academy 1945. Naval aviator 1948. Distinguished combat record in Korea. Test pilot 1958. One of the original seven U.S. astronauts, probably the most carefully selected group in history. Modest, highly skilled, dedicated, with an intense desire "to push out along the frontiers". A three mission veteran of space flight. The only astronaut to have flown as commander in Mercury, Gemini and Apollo. In Sigma 7 October 3, 1962, six earth orbits. In Gemini 6 on December 15, 1965, he made the first space rendezvous. In Apollo VII he proved the feasibility of the great leap to the moon for his fellow astronauts who would later make the epic journey.
	Elected to the International Aerospace Hall of Fame 1970