U.S. Honors Astronauts Killed In Fire

President Clinton on Wednesday honored two U.S. astronauts killed in 1967, awarding the Congressional Space Medal of Honor to Roger Chaffee and Edward White.

Chaffee, White and Virgil “Gus” Grissom were killed when a fire erupted on the launch pad on Jan. 27, 1967, during a preflight test for the Apollo I Moon mission. The president and NASA awarded the honor to Chaffee and White to mark the 30th anniversary of the event. Grissom previously received the Medal as the Apollo I commander.

“A generation ago, President Kennedy challenged our nation and asked God’s blessing to undertake the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked,” Clinton said, according to an official transcript.

“A group of pioneering Americans recognized the limitless possibilities of this seemingly impossible challenge, and they would risk their lives to make it happen,” he said, during the award ceremony that included the three astronauts’ families.

White, a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, was the first man to walk in space. President Lyndon Johnson called him “one of the Christopher Columbuses of our century.”

Chaffee, a decorated Navy pilot ho held the rank of lieutenant commander, was the rookie of the crew who is remembered fondly for his self-confidence.

He once said, “Hell, I’d feel secure taking it up all by myself.”

Ten individuals have received the Congressional Space Medal.

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter awarded the first six to Neil Armstrong, Frank Borman, Pete Conrad, John Glenn, Alan Shepard and Grissom (posthumously). President Ronald Reagan gave one to John Young (1981), and President George Bush gave one to Tom Stafford (1992). Clinton presented the medal to Jim Lovell (1995) and Shannon Lucid (1996).