When did Wally Schirra die?

Remembering Wally Schirra: A True Space Pioneer

We lost a true pioneer when Walter “Wally” Schirra Jr. passed away on May 3, 2007, in sunny La Jolla, California. He was 84 years old, and while his death was due to a heart attack, he’d also been battling cancer. But let’s not dwell on the end; let’s remember the incredible life he led.

Born back on March 12, 1923, in Hackensack, New Jersey, Wally wasn’t just any pilot; he was one of the legendary “Mercury Seven.” Can you imagine being chosen as one of the first Americans to venture into space? That was Wally. In 1959, he joined this elite group of test pilots for Project Mercury, and the rest, as they say, is history.

What really set Wally apart? He’s the only astronaut to have flown in all three of NASA’s original crewed space programs: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. Talk about a triple threat! His first mission was on October 3, 1962, aboard the Mercury spacecraft Sigma 7. Six orbits around the Earth – pretty impressive, right? Then, as command pilot of Gemini 6A, he pulled off something truly special on December 15, 1965: the first rendezvous of two spacecraft in orbit. Think of it like parallel parking in space, but with much higher stakes! And finally, he commanded Apollo 7 in October 1968, a mission that was absolutely critical for testing the Apollo Command/Service Module. Without that test, who knows if we would have made it to the moon?

In total, Wally spent over 295 hours in space. That’s like spending almost two weeks straight floating among the stars! Naturally, he racked up a ton of awards, including the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. The guy was a hero!

After hanging up his space boots in 1969, Wally didn’t just fade away. He became a commentator for CBS News, sharing his experiences and passion with the world. He had a way of making space travel sound exciting and accessible, like anyone could do it.

Wally Schirra wasn’t just a skilled pilot or an accomplished astronaut; he was a natural communicator and a true inspiration. His legacy continues to inspire generations of space explorers, and he’ll always be remembered as a true pioneer. He wasn’t just reaching for the stars; he helped bring them closer to us all.