From Air and Space to the Railroad and Beyond:

Another legendary figure in aviation and spaceflight takes the podium for the 10th anniversary John H. Glenn Lecture in Space History. James A. McDivitt–USAF pilot, astronaut, and businessman--will reflect on the various stages of his careers from the 1950s to the present.

A young pilot who entered the Air Force in 1951, McDivitt flew 145 combat missions during the Korean War in F-80s and F-86s, became an experimental test pilot, and logged over 5,000 hours in flight before retiring with the rank of Brig. General.

McDivitt was selected as an astronaut in 1962, and in 1965 served as command pilot for Gemini IV, the first NASA mission to include a spacewalk. Four years later he commanded Apollo 9, the first flight of the complete set of Apollo hardware and the first flight of the lunar module. He then served as program manager for five other Apollo missions.

Upon leaving NASA in 1972, McDivitt began another career in the energy, railroad, and aerospace industries. Ultimately, he spent more years in business than in flight and found new challenges and purpose there.

A lively wit and fine storyteller, Jim McDivitt will share highlights of his varied career.

This event is made possible by the generous support of The Boeing Company.