Gene Kranz

Eugene Francis "Gene" Kranz (born August 17, 1933) is an American aerospace engineer. He was a NASA Flight Director and manager. Kranz was NASA's second Chief Flight Director. He was in charge of the Gemini and Apollo programs. He was born in Toledo, Ohio.

Gene Kranz
Kranz c. 2005
Born	Eugene Francis Kranz (1933-08-17) August 17, 1933 Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Saint Louis University's Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology, B.S. 1954
Occupation	Flight director during Gemini and Apollo programs; Director of NASA Mission Operations
Years active	1960–1994
Employer	NASA (Retired)
Known for	Lead flight director during Apollo 13 Flight Director during first lunar landing (Apollo 11)
Predecessor	Chris Kraft (first Lead Flight Director)
Spouse(s)	Marta Cadena
Children	6
Parent(s)	Leo Peter Kranz (father)
Awards	Presidential Medal of Freedom NASA Distinguished Service Medal NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal NASA Exceptional Service Medal

Kranz is a recipient of a Presidential Medal of Freedom, given in 1970 by President Richard Nixon.

In 2010, Kranz was listed as the #2 most popular space hero by the Space Foundation.

Gene Kranz Media

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  Kranz at his console on May 30, 1965, in the Mission Operations Control Room, Mission Control Center, Houston.

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  Mission Control logo. Res Gesta Per Excellentiam means Achieve through excellence.

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  President Nixon visits the Johnson Space Center to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the Apollo 13 Mission Operations Team

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  Gene Kranz

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  Kranz in July 2019, while attending events at Space Center Houston

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  Gene Kranz at Johnson Space Center in 2022