Jack Swigert

John Leonard "Jack" Swigert Jr. (August 30, 1931 – December 27, 1982) was an American test pilot, mechanical engineer, aerospace engineer, United States Air Force pilot, and NASA astronaut, one of the 24 persons who have flown to the Moon.

Swigert was born in Denver, Colorado. He studied at the University of Colorado Boulder, at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and at University of Hartford.  

Before joining NASA in 1966, Swigert was a civilian test pilot and fighter pilot in the Air National Guard. After leaving NASA, he ran for Senate but lost in a primary election against Bill Armstrong. He later ran for the Congress for Colorado's new 6th district. Swigert won the election, but died before being sworn in.

Swigert was diagnosed with nasal cancer while he was running for Congress. At first doctors believed he would survive after treatment, however he was soon diagnosed with bone marrow cancer after having back pain in August 1982. He died on December 27, 1982 in Washington, D.C. from respiratory failure caused by cancer, aged 51.

President Richard Nixon awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the Apollo 13 crew shortly after the end of their mission.

In 1995, Swigert was played by Kevin Bacon in Ron Howard's movie Apollo 13.

References

Other websites

Official NASA biography
Astronautix biography of John L. Swigert, Jr.
Spacefacts biography of John L. Swigert, Jr.
Swigert at Spaceacts 
Swigert at Encyclopedia of Science
About Jack Swigert
Congressional Quarterly's Guide to U.S. Elections
Jack Swigert at the Internet Movie Database
Swigert at International Space Hall of Fame 
John L. "Jack" Swigert, Jr., Award for Space Exploration 
America Space: Jack Swigert

Category:1931 births
Category:1982 deaths
Category:Apollo astronauts
Category:American Roman Catholics
Category:Deaths from respiratory failure
Category:Cancer deaths in Washington, D.C.
Category:Scientists from Denver
Category:Politicians from Denver
Category:United States representatives from Colorado
Category:Republican Party (United States) politicians
Category:Elected officials who died without taking their seats
Category:Deaths from bone marrow cancer
Category:Deaths from head and neck cancer