Barry E . Wilmore Barry Eugene " Butch " Wilmore ( born December 29 , 1962 ) is a NASA astronaut and United States Navy test pilot . He has had one spaceflight , which was an 11 - day Space Shuttle mission in November 2009 , to the International Space Station . There were five other crew members launched with him on Space Shuttle " Atlantis " for the mission STS - 129 ; Wilmore was designated as pilot . Prior to being selected as a NASA astronaut in July 2000 , Wilmore was an experienced Navy test pilot . He also participated in the development of T - 45 Goshawk trainer jet . Personal life . Wilmore was born in Murfreesboro , Tennessee , but was raised in Mount Juliet by his mother Faye and father Eugene . Wilmore has one sibling , a brother named Jack Wilmore , who resides in Franklin , Tennessee . He is married to the former Miss Deanna Newport of Helenwood , Tennessee . Wilmore currently lives in Houston , Texas with his family . Education . Barry Wilmore graduated from Mt . Juliet High School in Mt . Juliet , Tennessee . Wilmore has received a Bachelor ' s of Science and a Master of Science degree from the Tennessee Technological University in electrical engineering , and a Master of Science in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee . Military experience . Barry Wilmore has over 6 , 200 hours of flight time and 663 carrier landings , all in tactical jet aircraft , and is a graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School ( USNTPS ) . During Wilmore ' s tenure as a fleet Naval officer and pilot , Wilmore completed four operational deployments , flying the A - 7E and F / A - 18 aircraft from the decks of the , , and aircraft carriers . He has flown missions in support of Operations Desert Shield , Desert Storm and Southern Watch over the skies of Iraq , as well as missions over Bosnia in support of U . S . and NATO interests . Wilmore successfully completed 21 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm while operating from USS " John F . Kennedy " . Wilmore ' s most recent operational deployment was aboard the USS " Dwight D . Eisenhower " with the " Blue Blasters " of Strike Fighter Squadron 34 ( VFA - 34 ) , a F / A - 18 squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana , Virginia . As a Navy test pilot Wilmore participated in all aspects of the initial development of the T - 45 jet trainer to include initial carrier landing certification and high angle of attack flight tests . His test tour also included a stint at USNTPS as a systems and fixed wing “ Flight Test ” instructor . Prior to his selection to NASA , Wilmore was on exchange to the Air Force as a “ Flight Test ” instructor at the U . S . Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base , California . NASA experience . Wilmore was selected as a pilot by NASA in July 2000 , and reported for training that August . Following the completion of two years of training and evaluation , Wilmore was assigned technical duties representing the Astronaut Office on all propulsion systems issues including the Space Shuttle Main Engine s , solid rocket motor , external tank , and also served on the astronaut support team that traveled to the Kennedy Space Center , Florida , in support of launch and landing operations . STS - 129 . Wilmore piloted the for the STS - 129 mission to the International Space Station . STS - 135 . Wilmore served as CAPCOM during the ascent and landing of on STS - 135 , the historic final flight of NASA ' s 30 - year Shuttle program . Awards and honors . Barry Wilmore has received numerous medals , awards and honors . These includes the Navy Meritorious Service Medal , the Air Medal ( 5 ) , 3 with the Combat " V " designation , the Navy Commendation Medal ( 6 ) , 3 of which also hold the Combat " V " designation , the Navy Achievement Medal ( 2 ) , and numerous Unit decorations . He has also received the Aviation Officer Candidate School ( AOCS ) “ Distinguished Naval Graduate ” award . He is also on the Initial Naval Flight Training “ Commodore ' s List With Distinction ” . He has also won the U . S . Atlantic Fleet “ Light Attack Wing One - Pilot Of The Year ” ( 1991 ) and U . S . Atlantic Fleet " Strike Fighter Aviator of the Year " ( 1999 ) . Wilmore is the recipient of the Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic “ Scott Speicher Award ” for Weapons Employment Excellence ( 1998 ) . In 2003 Barry Wilmore was inducted to the Tennessee Technological University “ Sports Hall of Fame ” .