Commanding the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968, Frank Borman led the first human crew to travel beyond Earth's orbit and circle the Moon. This milestone in space exploration defined his career, shifting his trajectory from a background in military flight engineering and test piloting toward a legacy as a central figure in 20th-century aviation history.
Military Service and Education
Born in 1928 in Gary, Indiana, Borman pursued a rigorous path in aeronautical education. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating eighth in his class of 670 in 1950. Commissioned into the United States Air Force, he later earned a Master of Science degree from the California Institute of Technology in 1957. His training continued at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, where he qualified as a test pilot, eventually becoming an assistant professor at West Point.
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Selected as one of the Next Nine astronauts in 1962, Borman advanced quickly through NASA's program. In 1966, he commanded Gemini 7, establishing a fourteen-day endurance record in space. Following his role on the review board for the Apollo 1 fire investigation, he was named commander of Apollo 8. During this mission, he and his crewmates orbited the Moon on Christmas Eve, an event marked by a televised reading from Genesis. He also served as the NASA liaison at the White House during the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Aviation Industry and Later Life
Borman retired from NASA and the Air Force in 1970 to join Eastern Air Lines, rising to the position of chief executive officer in 1975 and chairman in 1976. Despite overseeing a period of significant profitability, the company eventually faced financial strain due to airline deregulation and debt. Following his resignation in 1986, he transitioned to operating a Ford dealership in New Mexico and later managed a cattle ranch in Bighorn, Montana. He died in 2023 in Billings.
Fast facts
- Born: 1928, Gary, United States
- Died: 2023, Billings, United States
- Education: United States Military Academy, California Institute of Technology
- Military Rank: Colonel
- Notable Mission: Apollo 8 Commander
- Key Award: Congressional Space Medal of Honor (1978)
- Professional Background: Astronaut, Test Pilot, Aerospace Engineer
- Corporate Role: CEO, Eastern Air Lines (1975–1986)
Questions readers ask
What was Borman's role in the Apollo 11 mission?
He served as the NASA liaison at the White House, watching the launch alongside President Richard Nixon.
When did Borman serve as an executive at Eastern Air Lines?
He joined in 1970 and served as CEO from 1975 until his resignation in 1986.
Achievements
- National Aviation Hall of Fame — 1982
- United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at California Institute of Technology, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and United States Military Academy
- Worked as test pilot, astronaut and autobiographer
