Veterans Day tribute to America's first astronauts

November 11, 3:07 PMSpace Education ExaminerBarbara Malone

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On October 4, 1957, Russia launched Sputnik 1, the first manmade earth satellite. That event hurled the United States into the Space Age.

One year later, on October 1, 1958, NASA began searching for individuals to participate in its Space Flight Group, to become United States Astronauts. They had to be experienced test pilots with a degree in engineering, or in one of the physical or biological sciences.

On April 9, 1959, seven men serving in the US military became America's first 'sailors of space'.
In addition to becoming the pioneers of human spaceflight, these seven men were also navigators, engineers, scientists, physicians, and technicians.

Scott Carpenter, US Navy

During the Korean War, he served with patrol Squadron 6, flying anti-submarine, ship surveillance, and aerial mining, and ferret missions in the Yellow Sea, South China Sea, and the Formosa Straits.

Among others, awarded the Navy’s Distinguished Flying Cross the Navy's Legion of Merit, the, the U.S. Navy Astronaut Wings

Gordon Cooper, US Air Force

Flew F-84s and F-86s for four years with the 86th Fighter Bomber Group in Munich, Germany

Among others, awarded The Air Force Association Trophy, The Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, The Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross Cluster, The Air Force Legion of Merit, and the USAF Command Astronaut Wings,

John Glenn, US Marine Corps

Served in both WWII and the Korean War as a naval aviator

Among others, awarded the Marine Corps' Astronaut Medal, the Air Medal with 18 Clusters for his service during World War II and Korea, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Marine Corps' Astronaut Medal, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy's Astronaut Wings, and the Distinguished Flying Cross on six separate occasions,

 Gus Grissom, US Air Force

Flew one hundred combat missions during the Korean War, with the 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron

Among others, awarded the Air Force Command Astronaut Wings, the Air Medal with cluster for his Korean service, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two NASA Distinguished Service medals and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal

Walter Schirra, US Navy

In 1942, entered US Naval Academy, and from 1952 to 1954, he served as a test pilot at the Naval Ordnance Training Station at China Lake, California.

Among others, awarded the Air Medal three times, Distinguished Flying Cross three times, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal two times, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and the U.S. Navy Distinguished Service Medal

Alan Shepard, US Navy

Served on the destroyer Cogswell in the final year of WWII

Among others, awarded the Navy Astronaut Wings, the Navy Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal

Deke Slayton, US Air Force Reserve

Entered the Air Force as an aviation cadet; flew 56 combat missions in Europe with the 340th Bombardment Group. In April 1945, flew seven combat missions over Japan with the 319th Bombardment GroupAmong others, awarded NASA Distinguished Service Medal three times, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Space Award