Three former space pioneers were honored during the 48th annual Apollo 1 Memorial Ceremony Jan. 27 at Launch Complex 34, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
The memorial honored crew members, Command Pilot Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Senior Pilot Edward H. White II and Pilot Roger B. Chaffee, who were killed by a flash fire during a launch pad test of their Saturn 1B rocket, Jan. 27, 1967.
“Throughout our nation’s history, its greatest accomplishments have been manifested by brave men and women, willing to exert the effort necessary and overcome adversity to seize upon life-changing opportunity,” said Col. Shawn Fairhurst, 45th Space Wing vice commander. “These three Americans chose to serve our nation, first in defense of the freedoms we hold so dear and then later as our nation’s explorers. They embodied humanity’s desire to understand who we are and our place in the vast universe we call home.”
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