Contribution & Achievements of
James A. McDivitt, former NASA astronaut, who led the Gemini IV and Apollo 9 missions
James McDivitt, who commanded the Gemini IV and Apollo 9 missions, died peacefully in his sleep surrounded in Tucson, Arizona, on October 13 at the age of 93.
Awards & Achievements received by McDivitt
For his service in the U.S. Air Force, he was awarded two Air Force Distinguished Service Medals, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, five Air Medals, and U.S. Air Force Astronaut Wings.
For his service to the space program, McDivitt was honored with two NASA Distinguished Service Medals and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal.
In 1969, he was presented the Iven C. Kincheloe Award by the SETP.
In 2006, NASA presented McDivitt the Ambassador of Exploration Award, a moon rock-embedded trophy.
He received honorary doctorate degrees from the University of Michigan in 1965, Seton Hall University in 1969, Miami University in 1970 and Eastern Michigan University in 1975.
McDivitt was enshrined in the International Space Hall of Fame in 1982, U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1993, International Air and Space Hall of Fame in 2012, and National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2014.
He also received,
- Chong Moo Medal from South Korea,
- U.S. Air Force Systems Command Aerospace Primus Award,
- Arnold Air Society JFK Trophy,
- Sword of Loyola,
- Michigan Wolverine Frontiersman Award.
Contribution of McDivitt
He was a Knight of Columbus.
He represented the Order at the Third World Congress for the Lay Apostolate at the Vatican in 1967.
In 1981, McDivitt went to work for Rockwell International (today part of Boeing), where he was senior vice president for Government Operations and International in Washington, D.C. He retired in 1995.
He joined the Air Force in 1951 and retired with the rank of Brig. General.
He flew 145 combat missions during the Korean War in F-80 and F-86 aircraft.
He logged more than 5,000 flying hours during his piloting career.
Contribution of McDivitt in NASA
McDivitt was selected as an astronaut by NASA in September 1962 as part of NASA's second astronaut class.
He first flew in space as commander of the Gemini IV mission in June 1965.
On March 3, 1969, McDivitt’s 2nd spaceflight as the commander of Apollo 9 played a critical role in landing the first humans on the Moon.
This was the 1st flight of the complete set of Apollo hardware and was the first flight of the Lunar Module.
McDivitt logged more than 14 days in space.
After Apollo 9, he became manager of lunar landing operations, and led a team that planned the lunar exploration program and redesigned the spacecraft to accomplish this task.
In August 1969, he became manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program, guiding the program through Apollo 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.
In June 1972, McDivitt retired from the U.S. Air Force and left NASA to take the position of executive vice president, of corporate affairs for Consumers Power Company.
In January 1981 he joined Rockwell International as senior vice president, government operations, and Rockwell International Corporation, Washington.