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Presentation hardbound memorial album honoring deceased Group 3 astronaut Theodore Freeman, presented to his wife Faith. Freeman was killed on October 31, 1964, when a goose smashed through the cockpit canopy of his T-38 Talon jet trainer. Flying shards of Plexiglas entered the jet engine intake and caused the engine to flameout. Freeman ejected from the stricken aircraft, but was too close to the ground for his parachute to open properly.
Album measures 9 x 10.5, and is signed on both sides of the opening page by 31 NASA officials and astronauts from Groups 1, 2, and 3. Signers are, in order of their signatures: Robert R. Gilruth, adding the date of November 10, 1964 (Gilruth was a pioneer of the American space program, he served as director of the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas, directed 25 manned space flights, including Alan Shepard’s first Mercury flight, Apollo 11, and the dramatic rescue of Apollo 13), Rusty Schweickart, Buzz Aldrin, Dick Gordon, Michael Collins, Neil Armstrong, Gus Grissom, Gene Cernan, Edward H. White II, Elliot See, Gordon Cooper, Alan Shepard, Scott Carpenter, Roger Chaffee, Dave Scott, Clifton Williams, Jr. (Group 3 astronaut who died in a training accident in 1967), Frank Borman, James McDivitt, Walt Cunningham, Charles Conrad, James Lovell, John Glenn, Tom Stafford, Wally Schirra, Bill Anders, Alan Bean, John Young, Donn Eisele, Charlie Bassett (a Group 3 astronaut who died during a training flight in 1966), Deke Slayton, and Ned Logan (NASA employee).
Remainder of the album consists of 36 different original NASA photos of Freeman, together with other fellow astronauts, participating in various training, including weightlessness and survival, taking part in meetings or presentations, and inspecting various equipment and research projects. In fine condition, with small spot of toning next to Borman’s signature, and some scattered light wear and dings to covers. A one of a kind assembly of NASA’s finest, including all seven Mercury astronauts, eight Moonwalkers, and the always difficult to find Apollo 01 crew, make this not only a fitting tribute to a fallen comrade, but an amazing one-of-a-kind offering. Pre-certified Scott Cornish and RRAuction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by STEVE ZARELLI
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