When was Virgil Ivan Grissom born and where?
Virgil Ivan Grissom was born on the 3rd of April 1926 in Mitchell, Indiana. He grew up with three younger siblings after losing an older sister before his birth.
Questions about Gus Grissom
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How did Virgil Ivan Grissom get the nickname Gus?
A friend misread his name upside down on a scorecard as Gus instead of Griss. That nickname stuck for the rest of his life.
What happened during the Mercury-Redstone 4 flight of Virgil Ivan Grissom?
The spacecraft Liberty Bell 7 flooded with water after its hatch blew open unexpectedly following splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. The capsule sank beneath the waves while Grissom struggled to stay afloat due to buoyancy issues in his spacesuit.
Why did Virgil Ivan Grissom die during the Apollo 1 test?
Grissom died along with Ed White and Roger B. Chaffee when damaged wiring ignited a fire inside the Command Module on the 27th of January 1967. The pressurized 100 percent oxygen atmosphere and flammable materials created lethal conditions that prevented the inward-opening hatch from being opened quickly.
When was Virgil Ivan Grissom buried at Arlington National Cemetery?
Virgil Ivan Grissom's funeral services and burial took place on the 31st of January 1967 at Arlington National Cemetery. He was interred beside Roger Chaffee while President Lyndon B. Johnson attended the ceremony.