Alan Shepard

Alan Shepard (November 18, 1923 - July 21, 1998) was an American astronaut. He was the first American to travel into space. He was born in East Derry, New Hampshire. He received a Bachelor of Science at Naval Academy in 1944, graduated at Naval Testpilot School in 1951 and he earned a Master of Arts at the Naval War College in 1957.

On May 5, 1961, Shepard flew into suborbital space in the Mercury spacecraft. This was powered by a Redstone rocket.

He made another space flight as spacecraft commander (person in charge) of Apollo 14. This was the third trip to land astronauts on the moon. The trip lasted from January 31 - February 9, 1971. At the age of 47, he was the oldest person to ever walk on the Moon.

 Personal life 
In April 5, 1945, Shepard married with Louise. They also had three children.

Shepard suffered with leukemia in 1996 and died on July 21, 1998 in Pebble Beach, California. His wife died from a heart attack on August 25, 1998.

References

Category:American astronauts
Category:Apollo astronauts
Category:Deaths from leukemia
Category:Scientists from New Hampshire
Category:1923 births
Category:1998 deaths