Date of Birth: March 12, 1923
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: May 3, 2007
Biography
Walter Marty Schirra Jr., better known as Wally Schirra, was an American naval aviator, test pilot, and NASA astronaut. He was born on March 12, 1923, in Hackensack, New Jersey. Schirra was one of the original seven astronauts selected for Project Mercury, the United States’ first human spaceflight program. He is notable for being the only astronaut to fly in all three of NASA’s pioneering space programs: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. After attending the United States Naval Academy, Schirra graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1945 and was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served in World War II and the Korean War, distinguishing himself as a skilled aviator. Schirra’s first spaceflight was on October 3, 1962, aboard Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7), where he orbited the Earth six times. He later commanded Gemini 6A in December 1965 and Apollo 7 in October 1968, the first manned mission in the Apollo program. After retiring from NASA and the Navy in 1969, Schirra worked in the aerospace industry and as a television commentator. He was known for his technical expertise, wit, and dedication to the space program. Schirra passed away on May 3, 2007, in La Jolla, California.
5 Interesting Facts about Wally Schirra
1. Wally Schirra was the only astronaut to fly in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.
2. He orbited the Earth six times during his Mercury-Atlas 8 mission.
3. Schirra’s Gemini 6A mission performed the first space rendezvous with Gemini 7.
4. He played a key role in the Apollo 7 mission, which was the first manned test of the Apollo Command/Service Module.
5. Schirra was known for his sense of humor and once famously wore a clown nose during a space-to-ground communication.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Wally Schirra
1. “Levity is the lubricant of crisis.”
2. “I left Earth three times and found no other place to go. Please take care of Spaceship Earth.”
3. “Each of us is an individual, but we are all part of the team.”
4. “There’s no way you can use the word ‘safe’ about spaceflight.”
5. “You’ll have to make up your own mind about that.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Wally Schirra’s net worth is estimated to have been around $3 million.
Children
Wally Schirra had two children: a son named Walter Marty Schirra III and a daughter named Suzanne Schirra.
Relevant Links
1. [NASA Biography](https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/schirra_walter.pdf
2. [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Schirra
3. [Encyclopedia Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Walter-Marty-Schirra-Jr
4. [Space.com Profile](https://www.space.com/21546-wally-schirra-astronaut-biography.html
5. [Find A Grave](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19154216/walter-marty-schirra
