JAMES A. MCDIVITT (BRIG. GENERAL, USAF RET.)

NASA ASTRONAUT (FORMER)

PERSONAL DATA: Born June 10, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois. His mother Mrs. James 

McDivitt, resides in Jackson, Michigan. Married. Four children and two step-children. 

Recreational interests include hunting, fishing, golf, water sports, tennis, and all outdoor 

activities.

EDUCATION: Graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School, Kalamazoo, 

Michigan; Jackson Junior College, Jackson, Michigan, received a Bachelor of Science 

degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan (graduated first in 

class) in 1959 and an Honorary Doctorate in Astronautical Science from the University 

of Michigan in 1965; Honorary Doctor of Science, Seton Hall University, 1969; 

Honorary Doctor of Science, Miami University (Ohio), 1970; Honorary Doctor of Laws, 

Eastern Michigan University, 1975.

ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, the American Institute of Aeronautics and 

Astronautics, Tau Beta Pi, and Phi Kappa Phi. Atlantic Council on Foreign Diplomacy, Advisory Council-University of 

Michigan.

SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded two NASA Distinguished Service Medals; NASA Exceptional Service Medal; two Air Force 

Distinguished Service Medals; four Distinguished Flying Crosses; five Air Medals; the Chong Moo Medal from South Korea; the 

USAF Air Force Systems Command Aerospace Primus Award; the Arnold Air Society JFK Trophy; the Sword of Loyola; and 

the Michigan Wolverine Frontiersman Award, USAF Astronaut Wings.

EXPERIENCE: McDivitt joined the Air Force in 1951 and retired with the rank of Brig. General. He flew 145 combat 

missions during the Korean War in F-80s and F-86s.

He is a graduate of the USAF Experimental Test Pilot School and the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot course and served as an 

experimental test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

He has logged over 5,000 flying hours.

NASA EXPERIENCE: General McDivitt was selected as an astronaut by NASA in September 1962.

He was command pilot for Gemini 4, a 66-orbit 4-day mission that began on June 3, and ended June 7, 1965. Highlights of the 

mission included a controlled extra-vehicular activity period and a number of experiments.

He was commander of Apollo 9, a 10-day earth orbital flight launched on March 3, 1969. This was the first flight of the 

complete set of Apollo hardware and was the first flight of the Lunar Module.

He became Manager of Lunar Landing Operations in May 1969, and led a team that planned the lunar exploration program and 

redesigned the spacecraft to accomplish this task. In August 1969, he became Manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program and 

was the program manger for Apollo 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16.

McDivitt retired from the USAF and left NASA in June 1972, to take the position of Executive Vice-President, Corporate Affairs 

for Consumers Power Company. In March 1975, he joined Pullman, Inc. as Executive Vice-President and a Director. In 

October 1975 he became President of the Pullman Standard Division, The Railcar Division, and later had additional 

responsibility for the leasing and engineering and construction areas of the company. In January 1981 he joined Rockwell 

International where he is presently Senior Vice President, Government Operations and Rockwell International Corporation, 

Washington, D.C.

DECEMBER 1994

This is the only version available from NASA. Updates must be sought direct from the above named individual.

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Biographical Data

 Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

 Houston, Texas 77058