Short answers, pulled from the story.
The crew consisted of Walter M. Schirra, Donn F. Eisele, and R. Walter Cunningham. Schirra graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1945 and was a Navy captain at age forty-five. Eisele graduated from the same academy in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautics and held the rank of Air Force major. Cunningham joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 and earned degrees in physics from UCLA.
Apollo 7 launched from Launch Complex 34 at Cape Kennedy Air Force Station on Friday, the 11th of October 1968 at eleven o'clock two minutes and forty-five seconds EDT. The Saturn IB rocket performed well on its first crewed launch without significant anomalies during the boost phase.
The hatch design changed to allow opening from within in seven seconds using aluminum and fiberglass materials. Flammable materials were swapped for non-flammable alternatives including plastic switches replaced by metal ones. An emergency oxygen system shielded crews from toxic fumes in case of fire and the cabin used sixty percent oxygen and forty percent nitrogen at launch.
Schirra perceived risk eardrums might burst due to sinus pressure from colds while wearing helmets. They wanted ability pinch noses blow equalize pressure increasing during reentry impossible wearing helmets. No helmets worn during entry despite Director of Flight Operations Christopher C. Kraft demanding explanation believing Schirra insubordination.
Each crew member spent one hundred sixty hours in CM simulations with Mission Control participating live during some sessions. Simulators were constructed at Houston's Manned Spacecraft Center and at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew often worked twelve or fourteen hours per day to complete training once these became available.