Gus Grissom

Virgil I. Grissom was born on 3 April, 1926. He grew up in Mitchell, INdiana and was always interested in flight.

HE was in the Army Air Force after high school, but he did not like the job he was assigned as he wanted to be a pilot. He married Betty, and went to Perdue for his degree.

He joined the Air Force again, and flew 100 missions over Korea earning him the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He became a test pilot afterwards and was a good engineer. He had 2 sons while he was away: Scott and Mark.

Gus then applied to be an astronaut for a new government project we now know as manned spaceflight. He became one of USA first 7 astronauts. He was the second MAerican in space flying the "Liberty Bell 7" spacecraft. Unfortunaly, it sank, but was resurrected in 1997.

Gus became commander of the first Gemini mission with John Young. He was the first American to make spacefllight twice. THIS time, the spacecraft did NOT go down!

Gus then became commander of Apollo 1 which never flew. ON 27, January, 1967, GUs and his crewmates were killed in a practice test flight on the ground. Pure oxygen under high pressure, and a sparking wire caused a huge blow-out!!

Gus now rests in Arlington National Cemetary where he deserves to rest-as a hero!