First Man

Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. was born on November 18, 1923, in East Derry, New Hampshire, USA. He grew up in a family with a strong military tradition, which influenced his early interest in aviation and ultimately led him to a distinguished career in both the United States Navy and NASA.

Shepard graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1944, and during World War II, he served aboard the destroyer USS Cogswell in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he trained as a naval aviator and served in several aircraft squadrons. In 1950, he attended the United States Naval Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland, where he flew test flights for various aircraft, developing a reputation for skill and bravery.

His career took a pivotal turn in 1959 when he was selected as one of the original seven astronauts of Project Mercury, NASA’s first manned spaceflight program. Shepard made history on May 5, 1961, when he became the first American in space, piloting the Freedom 7 mission. Although this suborbital flight lasted just over 15 minutes, it was a significant milestone in the Space Race against the Soviet Union.

After his historic flight, Shepard was grounded due to an inner ear problem, Ménière’s disease, which he eventually overcame through an innovative surgical procedure. He returned to active status in the astronaut corps and was assigned to Apollo 14. On February 5, 1971, Shepard, along with Edgar Mitchell, landed the Lunar Module Antares on the Moon’s Fra Mauro highlands, making Shepard the fifth person to walk on the Moon and the only one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts to do so. During this mission, he famously hit two golf balls on the lunar surface.

After his return from the Moon, Shepard took on various administrative roles at NASA and retired from the agency and the Navy in 1974. Following his NASA career, he engaged in private business and served on the boards of several corporations and charitable organizations. Shepard also co-authored a book, “Moon Shot: The Inside Story of America’s Race to the Moon,” with Deke Slayton, another of the original Mercury astronauts.

Alan Shepard’s contributions to space exploration and his role as a pioneering astronaut have made him a significant figure in American history. He passed away on July 21, 1998, after a lengthy battle with leukemia. His legacy continues to inspire generations of space enthusiasts and professionals.