Marking the 50th anniversary of Lt Col Edward White II’s ’52 historic 21-minute spacewalk (the first American astronaut to do so) during the Gemini 4 space mission, the West Point Museum unveiled a new exhibit on June 3, featuring a lunar sample retrieved during Apollo 15’s lunar mission. To recognize the sacrifices and dedication of the Apollo, Gemini and Mercury astronauts, NASA presented each (or their surviving family members) with the NASA Ambassador of Exploration Award, consisting of a lunar sample taken from the 842 pounds of moon rocks and soil retrieved during NASA’s six lunar expeditions from 1969 to 1972.
Mrs. Bonnie Baer and Edward White III, White’s children, loaned the moon rock to the museum to display for the next two years. “Our father had a great love and respect for West Point and intended to return here to teach once he left the astronaut program,” Baer said. “We hope that by displaying our father’s moon rock at West Point, it will inspire all those who view it to dream big, to reach for the stars and to do whatever it takes to follow their dreams.” Col (R) Frank Borman ’50, who served as the backup command pilot to Gemini 4 and later commanded Apollo 8, the first mission to orbit the moon, attended the ceremony, as did a handful of members from the Class of 1952. COL (R) William S. McArthur ’73, who performed several spacewalks himself during various Space Shuttle missions, was also present. “It is fitting to display Ed White’s Ambassador of Exploration Award at WP,” said McArthur, “Both the award and West Point are dedicated to the highest ideals of our nation.”