Wally Schirra

Walter Marty Schirra Jr. (/ʃɜːrˈɑː/, March 12, 1923 – May 3, 2007) was an American naval aviator, test pilot, and NASA astronaut. In 1959, he became one of the original seven astronauts chosen for Project Mercury.

Walter M. Schirra Jr.
Born	Walter Marty Schirra Jr. (1923-03-12)March 12, 1923 Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	May 3, 2007(2007-05-03) (aged 84) San Diego, California, U.S.
Nationality	United States
Other names	Wally Schirra
Alma mater	Newark College of Engineering USNA, B.S. 1945
Occupation	Naval aviator, test pilot
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Air Medal (3) NASA Distinguished Service Medal (3) NASA Exceptional Service Medal
Space career
NASA Astronaut
Rank	Captain, USN
Time in space	12d 7h 12m
Selection	1959 NASA Group 1
Missions	Mercury-Atlas 8 Gemini 6A Apollo 7
Mission insignia
Retirement	July 1, 1969

In October 1968, he commanded Apollo 7, an 11-day low Earth orbit shakedown test of the three-man Apollo Command/Service Module and the first crewed launch for the Apollo program.

Schirra died on May 3, 2007, of a heart attack caused by stomach cancer in San Diego, California. He was 84 years old.

Wally Schirra Media

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  Schirra in the cockpit of his F-84 Thunderjet during Korean War, 1951

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  Schirra (2nd from right) and McDonnell Aircraft Design Chief, Dave Lewis at F3H Demon delivery (c. 1958)

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  Schirra (3rd from right) with fellow Mercury astronauts (1961)

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  Schirra during training before Mercury-Atlas 8 mission (1962)

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  Schirra during a Gemini 6 training simulation (1965)

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  Schirra as the Commander of Apollo 7 crew (1968)

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  Schirra (sitting 3rd from left), signing a commemorative document, with his Apollo 7 crewmates, Apollo 8 crew, Charles Lindbergh, First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, President Johnson, NASA Administrator Webb and Vice President Humphrey (1968)