Theodore Freeman

Theodore Cordy "Ted" Freeman (February 18, 1930 – October 31, 1964), (Capt, USAF), was an American aeronautical engineer, U.S. Air Force officer, test pilot, and NASA astronaut. He was killed in the crash of a T-38 jet, marking the first fatality among the NASA Astronaut Corps.

Biography

Early life and education

Freeman was born on February 18, 1930, in Haverford, Pennsylvania, and completed his secondary education in 1948. He attended the University of Delaware at Newark for one year, then entered the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1960, he received a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Michigan.

He was a Boy Scout and he earned the rank of First Class.

Military and NASA career

He took flight training at Hondo Air Force Base and Bryan Air Force Base, Texas and at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, getting his pilot wings in February 1955, shortly after being promoted to First Lieutenant. He then served in the Pacific and at George Air Force Base, California. He was promoted to Captain while pursuing his master's degree at the University of Michigan and then went to Edwards Air Force Base, California, in February 1960 as an aerospace engineer.

Ted Freeman (Ontario politician)

Edward George (Ted) Freeman (c. 1902 – October 9, 1986) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a New Democratic member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1963 to 1967 who represented the northern Ontario riding of Fort William in the as a NDP member.

Background

Freeman had lied about his age in order to enlist in the Canadian army and serve during World War I. He was decorated several times during the war. He was a salesman and moved to Fort William in 1935. Freeman was a long-serving member of the Loyal Order of Elk Lodge #82, in Fort William. He joined the Lodge in 1940 and held a variety of positions, culminating in his election, in 1959-1960, as the Grand Exalted Ruler of the Lodge.

Politics

In the 1963 provincial election, Freeman ran as the New Democratic candidate in the riding of Fort William. He defeated Tory candidate Chris Asseff by 1,124 votes. Liberal incumbent John Chapple came in third. He served as an opposition member under the leadership of Donald MacDonald. In the 1967 election he was defeated by Tory candidate Jim Jessiman.