A solo flight in a Piper Cub at age sixteen marked the beginning of an aviation career that would eventually lead Edward Givens to the ranks of NASA's fifth astronaut group. Despite logging over 3,500 hours of flight time, his service ended abruptly in 1967 before he could fulfill his objective of a spaceflight mission.
Formative Years in Texas
Born on January 5, 1930, in Quanah, Texas, Givens displayed an early commitment to aviation. He accelerated his high school studies to graduate in 1946, funding his flying lessons through manual labor. His education spanned multiple institutions, including Texas A&M and the University of Oklahoma, before he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Sciences from the United States Naval Academy in 1952.
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Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1952, Givens began flight training at the Air Force Air Training Command. By 1954, he had achieved supersonic speeds in an F-86D fighter jet. His career included serving as a flight commander in Japan and working as an instructor at the Air Force Interceptor Weapons School. He later graduated from the USAF Experimental Flight Test Pilot School and the Aerospace Research Pilot School.
NASA Assignment and Final Years
Selected by NASA in April 1966, Givens transitioned from his role as a project officer at the Manned Spacecraft Center to astronaut training. He was assigned to the Apollo program, providing support for the Apollo 1 and Apollo 7 missions. While serving in this capacity, he held the rank of major. On June 6, 1967, Givens died following a car accident in Pearland, Texas.
Fast facts
- Born: 5 January 1930, Quanah
- Died: 6 June 1967, Houston
- Education: United States Naval Academy
- Military Rank: Major
- Selected as NASA astronaut: 1966
- Total flight time: 3,500 hours
- Jet flight time: 2,800 hours
Questions readers ask
Did Edward Givens fly into space?
No, he died in an automobile accident before being assigned to a prime or backup spaceflight crew.
What was his role in the Apollo program?
He served on the support crews for both the Apollo 1 and Apollo 7 missions.
Achievements
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, University of Oklahoma and United States Naval Academy
- Worked as military officer, aircraft pilot and astronaut
