Background
Stafford, Thomas Patten was born on September 17, 1930 in Weatherford, Oklahoma, United States.
Stafford, Thomas Patten was born on September 17, 1930 in Weatherford, Oklahoma, United States.
Bachelor of Science, United States Naval Academy, 1952. Student, United States Air Force Experimental Flight Test School, 1959. Doctor of Science (honorary), Oklahoma City University, 1967.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Western State University College Law, 1969. Doctor of Laws (honorary), University Cordoba, Argentina. Doctor Communications (honorary), Emerson College, 1969.
Doctor Aeronautical Engineering (honorary), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Institute, 1970. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), University Oklahoma, 1994. Master of Humane Letters (honorary), Southwestern University, 1994.
HHD (honorary), Oklahoma Christian University.
Commissioned Second lieutenant United States Air Force, 1952. Advanced through grades to lieutenant general. Chief performance branch Aerospace Research Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, California.
With National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Houston, 1962-1975. Assigned Project Gemini. Pilot Gemini VI, 1965, command pilot Gemini IX, 1966, Commander Apollo X, 1969, chief astronaut office, 1969-1971.
Deputy director flight crew operations, Commander Apollo-Soyuz flight, 1975. Commander Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, 1975. Lieutenant general, deputy chief staff Research, Development and Aquisition, 1979.
Retired, 1979
Chair The White House/National Aeronautics and Space Administration Committee to Independently Advise National Aeronautics and Space Administration How to Return to Moon and Explore Mars, 1990-1991. Chairman board Omega Watch Company American. Director start F-117A Stealth Fighter, B-2 Stealth Bomber program, 1978.
Co-founder technical consultant firm, Stafford, Burke, Hecker, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia. Advisory numerous governmental agencies including National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Air Force Systems Command. Defense advisor to Ronald Reagan during presidential campaign.
Board directors numerous companies.
Fellow American Astronautical Society, Society Experimental Test Pilots. Member American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Federation of television and Radio Artists (honorary life).
Married Linda A. Dishman. Children: Dionne, Karin.