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A long read about a (largely) forgotten hero of history

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago

I want to talk to you about Ed White. Time seems to have forgotten him. A legend and a hero. He is, or was, famous for being the first American to space walk (EVA).

The son of a fighter pilot who fought in WW2 He became one himself, but not without a fight. In order to be enrolled at West Point, the most prestigious military academy in the USA, you have to be appointed by a Congressman. He had never stayed in one place long enough to be known to any, military families being constantly on the move, so he went to the capitol and knocked on doors till he found one that would.

Having decided he wanted to be an astronaut he figured he'd need an aeronautical engineering degree and to become a test pilot. Incidentally it was Ed that persuaded Buzz Aldrin to follow the same path.

He was chosen with the second batch of Astronauts and did eventually fly a craft in orbit and climb out to float over the earth tethered by a life support cable. He said "I feel like a million dollars". NASA completed their checks and tests and told him to re enter the vehicle. He refused. He was enjoying himself too much. He refused the order 3 times in fact. All of which was broadcast live on TV and it  endeared him to the American public.

In any pioneering achievement there are inevitable casualties and Ed, Along with Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee died in a fire on the launchpad in Apollo 1. His devoted wife Patricia couldn't handle the grief and took her own life as well.

My favourite story about Ed concerns his test pilot colleague Ed Dwight. The Kennedys, particularly Bobby, were insistent that there be a black astronaut in the Apollo program. Dwight was an excellent candidate and was enrolled under Chuck Yeager the first man to break the sound barrier. Sadly Chuck didn't like black people and told his fellow trainees "the Kennedys are trying to shove a n****r down our throats. Don't be friends with him, don't drink with him, don't invite him to your house and we'll be rid of him soon enough".

Ed White did turn up at Dwight's House with two massive boxes of fan mail wrongly addressed to him. He said that after reading all of them he really understood why America needed a black guy on the team and they did become friends.

Ed White was as famous as any rock star of the day and an all round good guy. A forgotten hero. I hope you enjoyed my ramble about him.

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By *stellaWoman
over a year ago

London

I enjoyed reading this and being reminded about Ed. What was the brilliant programme that told his story within it - there were a number of episodes, but I can’t recall where I watched it…?

Ed

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By *uriousscouserWoman
over a year ago

Wirral

I did enjoy it, thank you!

The camera from his Gemini IV manoeuvring unit is now in the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, but the lens from that camera is in the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, due to a bit of politics over who designed and owned what.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"I enjoyed reading this and being reminded about Ed. What was the brilliant programme that told his story within it - there were a number of episodes, but I can’t recall where I watched it…?

Ed "

Thank you, I'm planning to do occasional rambles along these lines in the hope someone might read them. The programme was Chasing The Moon. My favourite documentary of all time.

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By (user no longer on site) OP   
over a year ago


"I did enjoy it, thank you!

The camera from his Gemini IV manoeuvring unit is now in the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, but the lens from that camera is in the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, due to a bit of politics over who designed and owned what."

Ha! Everyone wants to own a piece of history! I had no idea. Thanks for that.

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By *stellaWoman
over a year ago

London


"I enjoyed reading this and being reminded about Ed. What was the brilliant programme that told his story within it - there were a number of episodes, but I can’t recall where I watched it…?

Ed

Thank you, I'm planning to do occasional rambles along these lines in the hope someone might read them. The programme was Chasing The Moon. My favourite documentary of all time."

Ahh yes! It’s time for a rewatch methinks. Thanks for the inspiration and reminder.

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