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March 14, 1934
Chicago, Illinois -
Perdue University - degree in Electrical Engeneering in 1956. U.S.Naval Postgraduate school- Aeornautical Engeneering.
Western State University College of Law- Honoraray Doctorate of law in 1969 Doctorate Degree in Engeneering in 1970. -
Commissioned as a U.S. Navy officer
Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at Purdue
Gained thousands of hours of flying experience -
Selected by NASA
One of fourteen selected pilots
Selected for Gemini and Apollo projects -
Originally backup pilot
Primary crew killed
Became prime crew
Had many problems -
Supposed to land
Could not land due to a glitch in the computer -
Cernan and Harrison Schmitt landed on moon
Returned December 19, 1972 -
He scratched T.D.C, his daughters initials into the Lunar dust before they left.
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Captain Cernan logged 566 hours in space, And 73 of them were on the moon
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Two NASA Distinguished Service Medals
The NASA Exeptional Service Medal
Two Navy Distinguished Service Medals
The Navy Astronaut wings
The Navy Distinguished Flying Cross
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Special Trustees Award
The Federation Aeronautique Internationale Gold Space Medal for 1972
The Cities of Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Gold Medals
The VFW National Space Medal in 1973. -
Retired from the U.S Navy and NASA.
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Meant to consult interest in energy, aerospace, and other industries.
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Discovery Channel documentary mini series called "When We Left Earth."
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Hosts information programs about his missions, personal and professional excellence, and the future of space travel.
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Cernan was the program manager as the senior United States negotiatior in direct discussions with the USSR