Background
McArthur,, William Surles was born on July 26, 1951 in Laurinburg, North Carolina, United States. Son of William S. and Edith P. (Avant) McArthur.
McArthur,, William Surles was born on July 26, 1951 in Laurinburg, North Carolina, United States. Son of William S. and Edith P. (Avant) McArthur.
Bachelor of Science in Applied Sciences and Engineering, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, 1973. Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1983. Doctor of Science (honorary), University of North Carolina, Pembroke.
Commissioned Second lieutenant United States Army, 1973, advamced through grades to Colonel, retired, 2001. Second lieutenant United States Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, 1973—1975. Student United States Army Aviation School, 1975—1976.
Aeroscout team leader, brigade aviation section commander United States Army 2nd Infantry Division,, Republic of Korea, 1976—1978. Company commander, platoon leader, operations officer 24th Combat Aviation Battalion, Savanna, Georgia. Assistant professor department Mechanics United States Military Academy, West Point, 1983—1986.
Student pilot United States Navy Test Pilot School, 1986—1987. Experimental test pilot United States Army, 1987—1991. Space shuttle vehicle integration test engineer National Aeronautics and Space Administration Johnson Space Center, Houston, 1987—1991, astronaut, since 1991, held various assignments in the astronaut office, since 1991.
Crew member STS-58 Columbia launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, 1993. Crew member STS-74 Atlantis Kennedy Space Center, Florida, 1995.
Crew member STS-92 Discovery launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Landed Edwards Air Force Base, California, 2000. Crew member ISS mission, 05.
Member of MENSA, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Association Space Explorers, United States Military Academy Association Graduates, Association United States Army, Army Aviation Association American (Order of St. Michael (Silver award) 2000, Robert M. Leich award 2000), West Point Society Greater Houston, Phi Kappa Phi.
Married Cynthia Catherine Lovin. 2 children.