David Scott, Class of 1945

Former Astronaut

David Scott (Class of 1945) was selected as an astronaut in October 1963. In 1966, he and command pilot Neil Armstrong were launched into space on the Gemini 8 mission, where they performed the first successful docking of two vehicles in space. Scott went on to serve as command module pilot for Apollo 9, was designated backup spacecraft commander for Apollo 12 and was spacecraft commander of Apollo 15.

Scott has received many awards including: two NASA Distinguished Service Medals, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, two Air Force Distinguished Service Medals, the Air Force Flying Cross, the Air Force Association’s David C. Schilling Trophy and the Robert J. Collier Trophy in 1971. He is one of three astronauts who has flown both earth orbital and lunar Apollo Missions.

He was the first recipient of the Col. W.T. Bondurant, Sr. Distinguished Humanitarian Award in 1977.