American Astronaut. Born in Lake City, South Carolina, he was a Doctor of Physics when selected as astronaut candidate by NASA in January 1978. After he completed a one-year training and evaluation period, he was placed for assignment as Mission Specialist Astronaut on Space Shuttle flight crews. He flew as Mission Specialist on STS 41-B launched from Kennedy Space Center on February 3, 1984, which landed at Kennedy Space Center on February 11, 1984. On January 28, 1986, he was Mission Specialist on the Space Shuttle Challenger when he was killed with all the crew members during a launch explosion from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida. A variety of public places and the McNair Crater on the Moon are named in his honor. The Lake City Public Library is named in his honor. When he was nine years old, the library told him that no Black people were allowed; he refused to leave. After earning degrees from MIT and becoming an astronaut, the library was named after him.
American Astronaut. Born in Lake City, South Carolina, he was a Doctor of Physics when selected as astronaut candidate by NASA in January 1978. After he completed a one-year training and evaluation period, he was placed for assignment as Mission Specialist Astronaut on Space Shuttle flight crews. He flew as Mission Specialist on STS 41-B launched from Kennedy Space Center on February 3, 1984, which landed at Kennedy Space Center on February 11, 1984. On January 28, 1986, he was Mission Specialist on the Space Shuttle Challenger when he was killed with all the crew members during a launch explosion from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida. A variety of public places and the McNair Crater on the Moon are named in his honor. The Lake City Public Library is named in his honor. When he was nine years old, the library told him that no Black people were allowed; he refused to leave. After earning degrees from MIT and becoming an astronaut, the library was named after him.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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I urge you today to go forth with the knowledge that you are better than enough; to go forth with the desire to accomplish, with the desire to contribute to our society. Go forth with a willingness to fight and a will to win.
Gravesite Details
On May 20, 1986, the comingled cremated remains of the seven Challenger astronauts were buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Section 46, Grave 1129. This is the memorial for Dr. Mc Nair
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