Frank Borman

Frank Borman, born on March 14, 1928, is a distinguished American figure known for his remarkable contributions as a test pilot, astronaut, and military flight engineer. His journey began at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated in 1950, ranking eighth out of six hundred seventy cadets. Shortly after, he was commissioned as a colonel in the United States Air Force, where he honed his skills as a fighter pilot in the Philippines.

In 1957, Borman earned a Master of Science degree from Caltech and subsequently took on the role of assistant professor of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics at West Point. His passion for aviation led him to the USAF Experimental Flight Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, where he graduated in 1960 and was selected for the prestigious Aerospace Research Pilot School.

Selected as a NASA astronaut in 1962 as part of the second group known as the Next Nine, Borman made history as the commander of Apollo 8 in December 1968. This mission marked the first time humans orbited the Moon, and it was during this journey that the iconic Earthrise photograph was captured. Borman's leadership during the mission, which included a televised reading from Genesis on Christmas Eve, solidified his place in space exploration history.

After retiring from NASA and the Air Force in 1970, Borman transitioned to the corporate world, becoming senior vice president for operations at Eastern Air Lines. He later served as CEO and chairman of the board, leading the airline through its most profitable years. However, challenges such as airline deregulation and financial difficulties led to his resignation in 1986. Borman then relocated to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he operated a Ford dealership with his son, Fred, and later acquired a cattle ranch in Bighorn, Montana, in 1998.