James S. McDivitt

James S. McDivitt
Name	James S. McDivitt
Caption	McDivitt in 1971
Type	NASA Astronaut
Nationality	American
Status	Deceased
Birth name	James Alton McDivitt
Birth date	10 June 1929
Birth place	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Death date	13 October 2022
Death place	Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Michigan (BS)
Occupation	Test pilot, aerospace engineer, executive
Rank	Brigadier General, United States Air Force
Selection	NASA Astronaut Group 2
Time	14d 02h 56m
Mission	Gemini 4, Apollo 9
Insignia	50px 50px
Retirement	June 1972

James S. McDivitt was an American test pilot, United States Air Force officer, and NASA astronaut who played a pivotal role in the early years of human spaceflight. He commanded two critical missions: Gemini 4, which featured the first American spacewalk, and Apollo 9, the first crewed flight of the complete Apollo spacecraft. Following his spaceflight career, he served as manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program and later as a senior executive in the private sector. His leadership in both flight and program management was instrumental to the success of the Apollo program.

Early life and education

James Alton McDivitt was born on June 10, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois. He spent much of his youth in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After graduating from Kalamazoo Central High School, he began studying engineering but left to enlist in the United States Air Force in 1951 at the onset of the Korean War. Following his military service, he utilized the G.I. Bill to attend the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1959, graduating first in his class.

Military career

McDivitt entered the U.S. Air Force as an aviation cadet and earned his pilot wings in 1952. He flew 145 combat missions during the Korean War in F-80 and F-86 aircraft, earning several awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, he served as a pilot and flight instructor at various bases, including Edwards Air Force Base. He later graduated from both the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and the U.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School, becoming an experimental test pilot and working on advanced projects.

NASA career

Selected as part of NASA Astronaut Group 2 in 1962, McDivitt was among the agency's second class of astronauts, known as the "New Nine." His first assignment was as backup command pilot for Gemini 3. In June 1965, he commanded Gemini 4 with pilot Ed White. This landmark mission lasted four days and featured White's historic spacewalk, the first for an American. McDivitt also attempted but was unable to achieve a rendezvous with the mission's spent Titan II rocket stage, an early lesson in orbital mechanics critical for future Apollo missions.

Apollo program

McDivitt was subsequently selected to command the first crewed Earth-orbital test of the complete Apollo spacecraft, Apollo 9, in March 1969. His crew included David Scott and Rusty Schweickart. The mission was a comprehensive engineering test, featuring the first crewed flight of the Lunar Module (callsign "Spider"), the first test of the Saturn V rocket with a crew, and critical tests of the spacesuits and life-support backpacks needed for lunar surface operations. Following the success of Apollo 9, McDivitt was promoted to Manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program in May 1969, overseeing the final missions including the Apollo 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 flights.

Post-NASA career and legacy

McDivitt retired from both NASA and the U.S. Air Force with the rank of brigadier general in June 1972. He then entered the private sector, holding senior executive positions including Executive Vice President of Consumers Power Company and later as President of the Rockwell International Space Division's Washington, D.C. operations. His legacy is defined by his calm command during two pioneering space missions and his managerial stewardship of the Apollo spacecraft during its most successful operational period. He was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1993.

Personal life and death

McDivitt married Patricia Ann Haas in 1956; they had four children. Following a divorce, he married Judith Ann Odell in 1985. In his later years, he lived in Jackson, Michigan, and later in Tucson, Arizona. James McDivitt died in his sleep on October 13, 2022, in Tucson. He was survived by his wife, Judith, and his children. His contributions are memorialized in numerous institutions, including the McDivitt Hall dormitory at the University of Michigan.

Category:American astronauts Category:Apollo program astronauts Category:Gemini program astronauts Category:United States Air Force officers Category:University of Michigan alumni