Donald E. Williams
Donald Williams | |
---|---|
NASA astronaut | |
Rank | Captain, USN |
Time in space | 11d 23h 34m |
Selection | NASA Group 8 (1978) |
Missions | STS-51-D STS-34 |
Mission insignia | |
Retirement | March 1, 1990 |
Donald Edward Williams (February 13, 1942 – February 23, 2016) was an American
.Early life and education
Captain Williams was born February 13, 1942, in Lafayette, Indiana and raised in the nearby town of Green Hill. He graduated from Otterbein High School in Otterbein in 1960. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in 1964.
Williams received his commission through the
In 1973, Williams attended the
He logged more than 6,000 hours of flying time, which includes 5,700 hours in jets and 745 carrier landings.[1]
NASA career
Selected by NASA in January 1978, Williams became an astronaut in August 1979, qualified for assignment as a pilot on future Space Shuttle flight crews. He then had various support assignments, including working at the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) as a test pilot, and at the Kennedy Space Center participating in orbiter test, checkout, launch and landing operations.
From September 1982 through July 1983, he was assigned as the Deputy Manager, Operations Integration, National Space Transportation System Program Office at the Johnson Space Center. From July 1985 through August 1986, Williams was the Deputy Chief of the Aircraft Operations Division at the Johnson Space Center, and from September 1986 through December 1988, he served as Chief of the Mission Support Branch within the Astronaut Office.
Williams served as pilot on STS-51-D in 1985, and was the spacecraft commander on STS-34 in 1989.
Spaceflight experience
Post-NASA career
In March 1990, Williams retired from the U.S. Navy as
Williams died of a stroke February 23, 2016, at the age of 74.[5]
Organizations
Williams was a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, the Association of Space Explorers, and the National Aeronautic Association.
Special honors
- Legion of Merit
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- 2 Navy Commendation Medalswith Combat V
- 2 Navy Unit Commendations
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- National Defense Service Medal
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal
- NASA Space Flight Medal
- NASA Exceptional Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal (with 4 stars)
- Vietnamese Gallantry Cross(with gold star)
- Vietnam Campaign Medal
References
- ^ "DONALD E. WILLIAMS (CAPTAIN, USN, RET.), NASA ASTRONAUT (DECEASED)" (PDF). NASA. February 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
- ^ Giduz, Bill (1985). "The Joy of Zero-G Juggling". Juggler's World. 37–2: 4–6. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
- Houston, Texas: NASA. 90-020 – via Wikisource.
- ^ "Don Williams | LinkedIn". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
- ^ "NASA astronaut Don Williams, led mission to launch Jupiter probe, dies at 74 | collectSPACE". collectSPACE.com. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
External links
- "DONALD E. WILLIAMS (CAPTAIN, USN, RET.), NASA ASTRONAUT (DECEASED)" (PDF). NASA. February 2016. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
- Warren County Historical Society (2002), A History of Warren County, Indiana (175th Anniversary Edition)
- Notice of Death
- Donald E. Williams
- In Memoriam: Captain Donald Edward Williams