Walter Schirra (original) (raw)

Hall of Valor by Military Times

Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

March 12, 1923

–

May 3, 2007

Alter Schirra graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1946. As a NASA Astronaut he is the only person to fly in all of America’s first three space programs (Mercury, Gemini and Apollo). He was the fifth American and the ninth human to ride a rocket into space, and was the first person to go into space three times. He retired as a U.S. Navy Captain.

Awards Received

Service:
United States Navy
Action Date:
October 11 – 22, 1968

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Captain Walter Marty Schirra, Jr. (NSN: 0-447891), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander of the Spacecraft, APOLLO 7, during the first manned orbital flight of the APOLLO Program, from 11 to 22 October 1968. Responsible for the control and coordination of all assigned evolutions during the flight, Captain Schirra demonstrated outstanding courage, extraordinary technical competence, and superb professional skill in earth-orbital flight, resulting in a most successful milestone in the progress of the APOLLO Program, and greatly enhancing the United States’ potential for further explorations in space. By his unprecedented achievement, intrepid leadership, and peerless devotion to duty, Captain Schirra rendered valuable and distinguished service to the Government of the United States, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. * ### Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Navy
Action Date:
December 15, 1965

All Hands (November 1967)
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Walter Marty Schirra, Jr. (NSN: 0-447891), United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Astronaut with NASA, on 15 December 1965, aboard GEMINI VI. Command Pilot Schirra was in flight for 25 hours and 51 minutes for a total of 15 orbits. * ### Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Navy
Action Date:
October 23, 1951

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Air Force Award) to Lieutenant Walter Marty Schirra, Jr. (NSN: 0-447891), United States Navy, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 23 October 1951. As an element leader in a flight of four F-84E type aircraft, providing close escort on B-29 type bombers, Lieutenant Schirra displayed exceptional airmanship by leading his element against repeated attacks by enemy aircraft which were attacking the bomber formation in the vicinity of Namai Airfield, North Korea. During the ensuing engagement, Lieutenant Schirra was credited with one probable enemy kill and one damaged enemy aircraft. As a result of the aggressiveness and ability displayed by Lieutenant Schirra, the B-29 bombers were able to reach their target and inflict heavy damage on the enemy airfield, despite heavy enemy flak. By his high personal courage and devotion to duty, Lieutenant Schirra has brought great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the United States Navy. * ### Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Navy
Rank:
Captain [then Commander]
Action Date:
October 3, 1962

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain [then Commander] Walter Marty Schirra, Jr. (NSN: 0-447891), United States Navy, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Astronaut with NASA on 3 October 1962 aboard SIGMA 7. Captain Schirra was in flight for 9.2 hours for a total of six orbits. As this was an engineering flight, he concerned himself primarily with the management and operation of the spacecraft’s systems to conserve hydrogen peroxide attitude control fuel and electrical power. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Schirra reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.