UPDATE: This lot is one of 16 in the current auction that comprise a complete suite of a medal, a patch, and a cover for each of John Young’s six space missions. Because select pieces within this collection are very rare, it took over seven years of determination and dedication to complete the project. The other 15 lots associated with this special collection are listed here.
Gus Grissom's flown Gemini 3 gold-plated sterling silver Fliteline medallion, 1" in diameter, with the front depicting the GT-3 capsule ("The Molly Brown") floating in the ocean, encircled by the names of the astronauts, "Virgil I. Grissom" and "John W. Young"; the reverse features the name of the mission in raised text, "GT-3," and is engraved with its date, "March 23, 1965." Matted and framed with a Gemini 3 mission patch to an overall size of 9.5 x 7.5; window backing shows the reverse of medallion. In fine condition. Accompanied by a handwritten and flight-certified letter of authenticity from Grissom's wife, Betty: "I certify that this medallion flew aboard GT-3 with Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom. March 23, 1965." In fine condition.
Less than three months after the flight of Alan Shepard's Freedom 7, Gus Grissom earned the distinction of becoming the second American to reach space when his Liberty Bell 7 launched on July 21, 1961. However, unlike the successful splashdown of Shepard, the premature opening of his capsule's hatch upon Atlantic touchdown nearly led to Grissom's drowning. Having already unbuckled most of his harnessing, Grissom was able to quickly free himself and escape from the sinking craft. After four to five minutes of treading water, an exhausted and relieved Grissom was lifted aboard a recovery helicopter. For his subsequent Gemini 3 mission, Grissom playfully named the spacecraft 'Molly Brown,' in reference to the Titanic's 'The Unsinkable Molly Brown' and his own harrowing experience.
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