Gus Grissom

Date of Birth: April 3, 1926

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: January 27, 1967

Biography

Virgil Ivan “Gus” Grissom was an American astronaut, military pilot, and aeronautical engineer who was one of the original NASA Project Mercury astronauts. Born in Mitchell, Indiana, Grissom grew up with a fascination for aviation and engineering. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Following the war, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and subsequently joined the United States Air Force. Grissom’s career as an astronaut began when he was selected as one of the seven Mercury astronauts in 1959. He became the second American to fly in space on July 21, 1961, aboard the Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft. Despite a successful mission, the capsule sank after splashdown due to a premature hatch blow, and Grissom narrowly escaped drowning. He later commanded the first crewed Gemini mission, Gemini 3, on March 23, 1965, which was notable for being the first two-man American space flight. Grissom was also chosen as the commander for the ill-fated Apollo 1 mission. Tragically, on January 27, 1967, Grissom, along with fellow astronauts Ed White and Roger B. Chaffee, perished in a cabin fire during a pre-launch test on the launch pad.

5 Interesting Facts about Gus Grissom

1. Grissom was the first NASA astronaut to fly into space twice.

2. He earned the nickname “Gus” because his first name, Virgil, was often mispronounced.

3. Grissom’s Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft was recovered from the Atlantic Ocean in 1999, 38 years after it sank.

4. He had a passion for building model airplanes during his youth, which fueled his interest in aviation.

5. Grissom was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1978.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gus Grissom

1. “If we die, we want people to accept it. We are in a risky business, and we hope that if anything happens to us, it will not delay the program. The conquest of space is worth the risk of life.”

2. “You don’t step into space, you fall into it.”

3. “The conquest of space is worth the risk of life.”

4. “We’re on the threshold of a new frontier and we’re pioneers.”

5. “Being selected as a Mercury astronaut was the highlight of my life.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Gus Grissom’s net worth at the time of his death is not well-documented. However, his contributions to space exploration have rendered him a highly respected figure in aerospace history.

Children

Gus Grissom had two sons with his wife, Betty Lavonne Grissom: 1. Scott Grissom (born 1950) – An airline pilot and engineer. 2. Mark Grissom (born 1953) – A marketing executive.