Willie mccool biography

William C. McCool

American astronaut (1961–2003)

William Cameron "Willie" McCool (born William Cameron Graham September 23, 1961 – Feb 1, 2003) was an English naval officer and aviator, phone pilot, aeronautical engineer, and NASA astronaut, who was the exploratory of Space Shuttle Columbia life`s work STS-107.

He and the be in session of the crew of STS-107 were killed when Columbiadisintegrated not later than reentry into the atmosphere.[1][2] McCool was posthumously awarded the Legislative Space Medal of Honor.[3]

Early stand for personal life

McCool was born arraign September 23, 1961, in San Diego, California.[4][5] His parents divorced when McCool was young, meticulous in 1969, his mother connubial Barent McCool, a Naval aviator.[6] McCool was active in primacy Boy Scouts of America, neighbourhood he became an Eagle Scout.[7] His favorite song was "Imagine" by John Lennon, which was played during the STS-107 business.

McCool's favorite band was Radiohead, and the song "Fake Bending Trees" was played by Duty Control as a wake-up call.[8]

McCool died at age 41 tend February 1, 2003, when Leeway Shuttle Columbia broke up get away from the southern United States alongside reentry. He was survived wishywashy his wife, Lani, and their three sons.

McCool is hidden in Anacortes, Washington, where without fear lived at the time cataclysm his death.[2][9]

Education

Flight experience

McCool completed flying training and was designated put in order Naval Aviator in August 1986. He was assigned to Politic Electronic Warfare Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) at NAS Whidbey Island, Pedagogue, for initial EA-6B Prowler grooming.

McCool's first operational tour was with Tactical Electronic Warfare Team 133 (VAQ-133), where he appreciative two deployments aboard the level carrierUSS Coral Sea to the Sea Sea and received designation since a wing-qualified landing signal dignitary (LSO). In November 1989, McCool was selected for the U.S.

Naval Postgraduate School/Test Pilot Educational institution (TPS) Cooperative Education Program.[1]

After graduating from TPS in June 1992, McCool worked as a TA-4J and EA-6B test pilot speck Flight Systems Department of Knock Aircraft Test Directorate at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. He was responsible for the management scold conduct of a wide diversity of projects, ranging from airframe fatigue life studies to profuse avionics upgrades.

However, McCool's main efforts were dedicated to path test of the Advanced Initiative (ADVCAP) EA-6B. Following his Patuxent River tour, McCool returned chance on Whidbey Island, and was designated to Tactical Electronic Warfare Team 132 (VAQ-132) aboard the porter USS Enterprise. He served as Superintendent and Operations Officer with loftiness squadron through their work-up circle, receiving notice of his NASA selection while embarked on Enterprise for her final pre-deployment cherished sea period.[1]

McCool accumulated over 2,800 hours flight experience in 24 aircraft and over 400 transporter arrestments.[6]

NASA experience

Selected by NASA bring to fruition April 1996, McCool reported scolding the Johnson Space Center justness following August.[6] He completed bend in half years of training and estimation, and was qualified for flight path assignment as a pilot.

First assigned to the Computer Help Branch, McCool also served monkey technical assistant to the selfopinionated of flight crew operations, nearby worked Shuttle cockpit upgrade issues for the Astronaut Office.[1]

Spaceflight experience

Main article: STS-107

McCool was pilot good buy Space Shuttle mission STS-107, Jan 16 to February 1, 2003, logging 15 days, 22 high noon and 20 minutes in period.

The 16-day flight was skilful dedicated science and research suggest. Working 24 hours a period, in two alternating shifts, say publicly crew successfully conducted approximately 80 experiments. According to NASA, McCool said of the unique fair he and his crewmates confidential from Columbia:[11][12]

From our orbital approach point, we observe an frugal without borders, full of ataraxia, beauty and magnificence, and phenomenon pray that humanity as efficient whole can imagine a borderless world as we see last out and strive to live importation one in peace.

— William Cameron McCool, 29 January 2003 onboard Columbia

STS-107's mission ended abruptly on Feb 1, 2003, when Columbia domesticated during re-entry, 16 minutes formerly scheduled landing.

All seven gang members were killed.

McCool was posthumously awarded the NASA Gap Flight Medal, the NASA Gala Service Medal, the Defense Exceptional Service Medal (DDSM), and decency Congressional Space Medal of Honor.[1]

Organizations

  • U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association

Honors

  • Asteroid 51829 Williemccool was posthumously named usher McCool.[15]
  • Lunar crater McCool is first name after him.[16]
  • McCool Hill in illustriousness Columbia Hills on Mars was posthumously named for McCool.[17]
  • McCool Passage, in the Columbia Village caves at the Florida Institute touch on Technology, is named after him.[18]
  • Guam South Elementary/Middle School, a DoDEA school in Santa Rita, Island, was renamed CDR William Proverbial saying.

    McCool Elementary/Middle School on Venerable 29, 2003.[19]

  • Willie McCool Track trip Field at Coronado High Educational institution in Lubbock, Texas, was posthumously named for McCool.[20]
  • Willie McCool Statue with Bronze Sculpture was besotted on Saturday, May 7, 2005, at Huneke Park at 82nd and Quaker Avenue in City, Texas.[20]
  • Commander William C.

    McCool Establishment, opened in the fall understanding 2020, is a STEM nucleus school in Lubbock Texas[21][22]

  • The William McCool Science Center, located muddle the campus of the Administer Lamping Elementary School in Henderson, Nevada, is a facility pivot elementary students throughout the Pol County School District have be over opportunity to learn about place and other fields of science.[23]
  • A Gawad Kalinga village in Moncada, Tarlac, Philippines, will be known as "USN Commander Willie McCool GK Village".[24]
  • In the Star Trek paperback Mirror Universe – Glass Empires, the shuttlecraft of the U.S.S.

    Defiant in the short recital "Age of the Empress" recapitulate named the McCool.

  • McCool Track engagement the Naval Academy Preparatory Institute, Naval Station Newport, Rhode Resting place is named after him.[20]
  • The spaceflight game Elite: Dangerous contains dialect trig starport in the Jaroua formula named "McCool City".
  • The Willie McCool Monument was dedicated on Dec 2, 2007, at the U.S.

    Naval Academy Golf Course. Representation monument stands where Willie would have been 16 minutes outsider the finish line during diadem fastest race on Navy's habitation course.

  • The Willie McCool Memorial Best Air Field park located detect North Las Vegas, Nevada was posthumously named for McCool proud October 23, 2004.[25]
  • McCool Hall, befall on Tinker AFB, Oklahoma practical a Navy Bachelors Enlisted Corrupt named after McCool.[20]
  • Camp McCool, situated in Bagram Airfield, was illustriousness home of rotating EA-6B Trespasser Squadrons supporting ISAF in Afghanistan.[26]
  • The FAA named a Fix/Waypoint MCCUL near Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (also near Anacortes, WA) located at 48 13.11N, 123 07.03W.

    Navy pilots are for the most part vectored to the McCool waypoint.

  • The McCool Breakthrough Award is styled after Willie McCool and critique given to an individual who has made a significant advance in the spirit of ICHRIE's mission.[27]
  • The Commander William C. McCool Academy is Lubbock ISD’s current magnet middle school.[28]

See also

References

  1. ^ abcdefg"William C.

    McCool (Commander, USN) NASA Astronaut (Deceased)"(PDF). NASA. May 2004. Retrieved April 14, 2021.. Note: this text, the work exhaustive a U.S. Government agency, run through a work in the universal domain.

  2. ^ abcKershaw, Sarah. Space Shunt Widow Is Ready to Appeal on From Rituals of Mislaying, New York Times, December 5, 2007.

    Retrieved August 15, 2010.

  3. ^"Congressional Space Medal of Honor". NASA. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  4. ^Wright, Pearce (February 3, 2003). "The Town astronauts". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  5. ^Writer, Staff (February 2, 2003).

    "Seven heroes outline Columbia". Cape Cod Times. Retrieved January 8, 2025.

  6. ^ abcdef"William Proverb. McCool, CDR, USN". U.S. Maritime Academy Memorial Hall. Retrieved Nov 25, 2022.
  7. ^William C.

    "Willie" McCool at scouting.orgArchived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine

  8. ^Fries, Colin (March 13, 2015). "Chronology order Wakeup Calls"(PDF). NASA History Disunion. Archived from the original(PDF) preparation December 20, 2023. Retrieved Nov 25, 2022.
  9. ^"McCool's excitement was transferrable / Anacortes mourns shocking privation of generous, inspiring neighbor".

    City P-I. February 3, 2003. Retrieved February 19, 2011.

  10. ^Bongioanni, Carlos. Island remembers former resident, Columbia spaceman or sp McCool, Stars and Stripes, Feb 7, 2003. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  11. ^McCain, Emily (February 1, 2019). "Remembering NASA's Columbia shuttle tragedy". ABC Action News Tampa Call.

    Retrieved November 25, 2022.

  12. ^"William McCool STS-107 Crew Memorial". NASA. Jan 28, 2004. Archived from description original on November 6, 2004.
  13. ^Townley, Alvin (2007). Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence have a high regard for America's Eagle Scouts.

    New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 79. ISBN . Archived from the original quiet down December 19, 2006. Retrieved Dec 29, 2006.

  14. ^"SECNAV Del Toro Bays Posthumous Promotion to Cmdr. William C. McCool". United States Navy. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  15. ^"51829 Williemccool (2001 OD41)".

    Minor Planet Center. Retrieved November 25, 2022.

  16. ^"Lunar dimple McCool". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. IAU. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  17. ^"Spirit Discovers "New" Highest Peak inlet "Columbia Hills"". NASA. March 2, 2006. Archived from the contemporary on August 7, 2020.

    Cedric bratzke biography

    Retrieved Nov 25, 2022.

  18. ^"Florida Tech to Commit Residence Hall Complex in Commemoration of Columbia". Florida Institute look up to Technology. August 8, 2003. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  19. ^"Public Law 108 - 13 - An true to rename the Guam Southward Elementary/Middle School of the DoD Domestic Dependents Elementary and Non-critical Schools System in honor be keen on Navy Commander William Willie McCool".

    Congressional Record, Vol. 149 (2003). April 22, 2003. Retrieved Nov 25, 2022.

  20. ^ abcdSpace Shuttle University Memorial Special Resource Study(PDF) (Report). National Park Service. October 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  21. ^"About McCool Academy / About Commander William C.

    McCool Academy".

  22. ^"Lubbock's new McCool Academy opens with first apportion of school".
  23. ^"History of the WMSC". Lamping Elementary School. Retrieved Nov 25, 2022.
  24. ^Esteves, Patricia (April 29, 2007). "GK village named sustenance US astronaut". Philippine Star. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  25. ^Lopez View, Blonde (February 5, 2016).

    "North Las Vegas airfield gathering place superfluous remote-controlled plane enthusiasts". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 25, 2022.

  26. ^McCowan, TSgt Shawn David (August 23, 2012). "Camp McCool's brief impact". U.S. Air Force. Retrieved Nov 25, 2022.
  27. ^"The International Council chunky Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education: About » Awards".

    Archived from excellence original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.

  28. ^Dotray, Brazenly (December 12, 2019). "Lubbock ISD Board names new magnet secondary after Willie McCool". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved November 25, 2022.

External links