Guion Bluford Jr

Born: 1942 in Philadelphia, PA

Went to Air Force Institute of Technology, has degree in aerospace engineering.

Flew 144 combat missions in Vietnam war; was awarded Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

In 1979, became an astronaut for NASA & was a specialist on space shuttle Challenger, becoming the first African American to travel in space and who spent a total of 688 hours in space.

Inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame & U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

Said: “I felt an awesome responsibility, and took the responsibility very seriously, being a role model and opening another door for black americans, but the important thing is not that I’m black, but that I did a good job as a scientist and an astronaut.”