Background
Yardley, John Finley was born on February 1, 1925 in St. Louis. Son of Finley Abna and Johnnie (Patterson) Yardley.
Yardley, John Finley was born on February 1, 1925 in St. Louis. Son of Finley Abna and Johnnie (Patterson) Yardley.
Bachelor of Science, Iowa State College, 1944. Master of Science, Washington University, St. Louis, 1950.
Structural and aero engineer, McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, St. Louis, 1946-1955; chief strength engineer, McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, St. Louis, 1956-1957; project engineer, Mercury spacecraft design, 1958-1960; launch operations manager, Mercury and Gemini spacecraft, Cape Canaveral, Florida, 1960-1964; Gemini technical director, Mercury and Gemini spacecraft, 1964-1967; vice president, deputy general manager, Eastern division McDonnell Douglas Astronautics, 1968-1972; vice president, general manager, Eastern division McDonnell Douglas Astronautics, 1973-1974; president, Eastern division McDonnell Douglas Astronautics, 1981-1988; senior corporation vice president, Eastern division McDonnell Douglas Astronautics, 1989, retired; associate administrator for manned space flight, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, 1974-1981.
Served to ensign United States Naval Reserve, 1943-1946. Fellow American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Goddard award 1982), American Astronautical Society (Space Flight award 1978). Member International Academy Astronautics, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Alumni League (board directors), National Academy Engineering, National Space Club (Board of Governors), Tau Beta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Mu Epsilon.
Married Phyllis Steele, July 25, 1946. Children: Kathryn, Robert, Mary, Elizabeth, Susan.