Gene Kranz

Gene Kranz received his BS Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Parks College of Saint Louis University in 1954. He was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force in 1954, and flew high performance jet fighter aircraft. In 1958 he worked as a Flight Test Engineer at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, for McDonnell Aircraft developing the Quail Decoy Missile for the B-47 and B-52 aircraft. He was discharged from the Air Force Reserve as a Captain in 1972. In 1960, Mr Kranz joined the NASA Space Task Group at Langley,Virginia and was assigned as Assistant Flight Director for Project Mercury. He assumed Flight Director duties for all Project Gemini Missions, and was the Branch Chief for Flight Control Operations. Mr. Kranz was selected as Division Chief for Flight Control in 1968, and continued his duties as Flight Director for the Apollo Program. He was the Flight Director for many Apollo missions including the Apollo 11 lunar Landing, and he led the "Tiger Team" for the successful return of the Apollo 13 crew. He performed as both a Flight Director and Flight Operations Director for the Skylab program, and, at its conclusion, was assigned as Deputy Director of Flight Operations with responsibility for space flight planning, training and mission operations, aircraft operations and astronaut operations. In 1983, Mr. Kranz was assigned as Director of Mission Operations. Mr Kranz retired from NASA in March 1994 after 37 years of federal service. Current activities include consulting and motivational speaking to professional, civic and youth groups. He is a Flight Engineer on a B-17 "Flying Fortress," performing at air shows throughout the United States. Since retirement, he has completed building an aerobatic biplane. Mr. Kranz was a co-recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded by President Nixon for the Apollo 13 Mission, and was designated a Distinguished member of the Senior Executive Service by President Reagan. Mr. Kranz is the author of the “Spaceflight” section of the 1984 and 1988 World Book Encyclopedia, has written "Failure Is Not An Option" and was the focus of a History Channel Television Special in 2003. Pat II of this special work by Mr. Kranz will air on The History Channel on Aug. 28, 2005.