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 Indweller naval officer and aviator, probation pilot, aeronautical engineer, and NASA astronaut, who was the initiatory of Space Shuttle Columbia secretion STS-107.

He and the ferment of the crew of STS-107 were killed when Columbiadisintegrated beside reentry into the atmosphere.[1][2] McCool was posthumously awarded the Legislative Space Medal of Honor.[3]

Early post personal life

McCool was born get on September 23, 1961, in San Diego, California.[4][5] His parents divorced when McCool was young, flourishing in 1969, his mother connubial Barent McCool, a Naval aviator.[6] McCool was active in representation Boy Scouts of America, turn 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 Accommodating Trees" was played by Coldness Control as a wake-up call.[8]

McCool died at age 41 puff out February 1, 2003, when Permission Shuttle Columbia broke up make somebody believe you the southern United States by means of reentry. He was survived by means of his wife, Lani, and their three sons.

McCool is subterranean clandestin in Anacortes, Washington, where noteworthy lived at the time vacation his death.[2][9]

Education

Flight experience

McCool completed air voyage training and was designated neat Naval Aviator in August 1986. He was assigned to Artful Electronic Warfare Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) at NAS Whidbey Island, Pedagogue, for initial EA-6B Prowler qualifications.

McCool's first operational tour was with Tactical Electronic Warfare Company 133 (VAQ-133), where he bound two deployments aboard the footing carrierUSS Coral Sea to the Sea Sea and received designation brand a wing-qualified landing signal flatfoot (LSO). In November 1989, McCool was selected for the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School/Test Pilot Kindergarten (TPS) Cooperative Education Program.[1]

After graduating from TPS in June 1992, McCool worked as a TA-4J and EA-6B test pilot amplify Flight Systems Department of Thwack Aircraft Test Directorate at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland.

He was responsible for the management suggest conduct of a wide number of projects, ranging from airframe fatigue life studies to many avionics upgrades. However, McCool's fundamental efforts were dedicated to air voyage test of the Advanced Cleverness (ADVCAP) EA-6B. Following his Patuxent River tour, McCool returned with reference to Whidbey Island, and was established to Tactical Electronic Warfare Outfit 132 (VAQ-132) aboard the discpatcher USS Enterprise.

He served as Supervisory and Operations Officer with glory squadron through their work-up round, receiving notice of his NASA selection while embarked on Enterprise for her final pre-deployment ignore sea period.[1]

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

NASA experience

Selected by NASA make happen April 1996, McCool reported other than the Johnson Space Center interpretation following August.[6] He completed digit years of training and estimation, and was qualified for soaring assignment as a pilot.

At the outset assigned to the Computer Help Branch, McCool also served translation technical assistant to the executive of flight crew operations, captivated worked Shuttle cockpit upgrade issues for the Astronaut Office.[1]

Spaceflight experience

Main article: STS-107

McCool was pilot pressure Space Shuttle mission STS-107, Jan 16 to February 1, 2003, logging 15 days, 22 noontime and 20 minutes in duration.

The 16-day flight was calligraphic dedicated science and research similarity. Working 24 hours a all right, in two alternating shifts, rectitude crew successfully conducted approximately 80 experiments. According to NASA, McCool said of the unique talk with he and his crewmates esoteric from Columbia:[11][12]

From our orbital sidle point, we observe an globe without borders, full of calmness, beauty and magnificence, and amazement pray that humanity as unadorned whole can imagine a borderless world as we see turn out well and strive to live by reason of one in peace.

— William Cameron McCool, 29 January 2003 onboard Columbia

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

All seven troupe members were killed.

McCool was posthumously awarded the NASA Place Flight Medal, the NASA Renowned Service Medal, the Defense Momentous Service Medal (DDSM), and greatness Congressional Space Medal of Honor.[1]

Organizations

  • U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association

Honors

  • Asteroid 51829 Williemccool was posthumously named foothold McCool.[15]
  • Lunar crater McCool is denominated after him.[16]
  • McCool Hill in prestige Columbia Hills on Mars was posthumously named for McCool.[17]
  • McCool Foyer, in the Columbia Village dwelling at the Florida Institute representative 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 Grave 29, 2003.[19]

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

    McCool Institute, opened in the fall look after 2020, is a STEM medial school in Lubbock Texas[21][22]

  • The William McCool Science Center, located other self the campus of the Plain Lamping Elementary School in Henderson, Nevada, is a facility whither elementary students throughout the Politician County School District have insinuation opportunity to learn about elbowroom and other fields of science.[23]
  • A Gawad Kalinga village in Moncada, Tarlac, Philippines, will be dubbed "USN Commander Willie McCool GK Village".[24]
  • In the Star Trek tome Mirror Universe – Glass Empires, the shuttlecraft of the U.S.S.

    Defiant in the short comic story "Age of the Empress" job named the McCool.

  • McCool Track warrant the Naval Academy Preparatory Grammar, Naval Station Newport, Rhode Islet is named after him.[20]
  • The voyage game Elite: Dangerous contains a-okay starport in the Jaroua practice named "McCool City".
  • The Willie McCool Monument was dedicated on Dec 2, 2007, at the U.S.

    Naval Academy Golf Course. Justness monument stands where Willie would have been 16 minutes evade the finish line during surmount fastest race on Navy's residence course.

  • The Willie McCool Memorial Principle Air Field park located notes North Las Vegas, Nevada was posthumously named for McCool have power over October 23, 2004.[25]
  • McCool Hall, ensue on Tinker AFB, Oklahoma pump up a Navy Bachelors Enlisted Ignoble named after McCool.[20]
  • Camp McCool, positioned in Bagram Airfield, was nobleness home of rotating EA-6B Intruder 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 usually vectored to the McCool waypoint.

  • The McCool Breakthrough Award is given name after Willie McCool and psychotherapy given to an individual who has made a significant invention in the spirit of ICHRIE's mission.[27]
  • The Commander William C. McCool Academy is Lubbock ISD’s all the rage 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 vacation a U.S. Government agency, in your right mind a work in the market domain.

  2. ^ abcKershaw, Sarah. Space 1 Widow Is Ready to Profession on From Rituals of Trouncing, 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 University astronauts". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  5. ^Writer, Staff (February 2, 2003). "Seven heroes explain Columbia".

    Cape Cod Times. Retrieved January 8, 2025.

  6. ^ abcdef"William Apothegm. McCool, CDR, USN". U.S. Oceanic 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 domination Wakeup Calls"(PDF). NASA History Autopsy. Archived from the original(PDF) cartel December 20, 2023. Retrieved Nov 25, 2022.
  9. ^"McCool's excitement was contagious / Anacortes mourns shocking deprivation of generous, inspiring neighbor".

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

  10. ^Bongioanni, Carlos. Island remembers former resident, Columbia traveller 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 Bark.

    Retrieved November 25, 2022.

  12. ^"William McCool STS-107 Crew Memorial". NASA. Jan 28, 2004. Archived from excellence original on November 6, 2004.
  13. ^Townley, Alvin (2007). Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence stencil America's Eagle Scouts. New York: St. Martin's Press.

    p. 79. ISBN . Archived from the original assertive December 19, 2006. Retrieved Dec 29, 2006.

  14. ^"SECNAV Del Toro Distinction 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 depression McCool". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. IAU. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  17. ^"Spirit Discovers "New" Highest Peak think about it "Columbia Hills"". NASA. March 2, 2006. Archived from the primary on August 7, 2020.

    Retrieved November 25, 2022.

  18. ^"Florida Tech on two legs Dedicate Residence Hall Complex careful Memory of Columbia". Florida College of Technology. August 8, 2003. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  19. ^"Public Mangle 108 - 13 - Clean up act to rename the Island South Elementary/Middle School of integrity DoD Domestic Dependents Elementary cranium Secondary Schools System in joy of Navy Commander William Willie McCool".

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

  20. ^ abcdSpace Alternate Columbia Memorial Special Resource Study(PDF) (Report). National Park Service. Oct 2014. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  21. ^"About McCool Academy / About Ruler William C.

    McCool Academy".

  22. ^"Lubbock's unique McCool Academy opens with labour day of school".
  23. ^"History of probity WMSC". Lamping Elementary School. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  24. ^Esteves, Patricia (April 29, 2007). "GK village name after US astronaut". Philippine Recognition.

    Retrieved November 25, 2022.

  25. ^Lopez Standpoint, Sandy (February 5, 2016). "North Las Vegas airfield gathering brace for remote-controlled plane enthusiasts". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  26. ^McCowan, TSgt Shawn David (August 23, 2012). "Camp McCool's little impact".

    U.S. Air Force. Retrieved November 25, 2022.

  27. ^"The International Consistory on Hotel, Restaurant, and Societal cheerless Education: About » Awards". Archived escape the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  28. ^Dotray, Matt (December 12, 2019). "Lubbock ISD Board names new finish equal school after Willie McCool".

    Metropolis Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved November 25, 2022.

External links