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Frank Borman: the story on HearLore | HearLore
— Ch. 1 · Childhood And West Point —
Frank Borman.
~14 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
Frank Frederick Borman II was born on the 14th of March 1928, at 2162 West 11th Avenue in Gary, Indiana. His father Edwin Otto Borman owned an Oldsmobile car dealership there. The family moved to Tucson, Arizona, because the cold and damp weather caused sinus problems for young Frank. He attended Sam Hughes Elementary School and Mansfeld Junior High School in that city. A local jewelry store sponsored a team he formed when he could not make the school football squad. He delivered copies of the Arizona Daily Star newspaper to earn money. His first ride in an airplane occurred when he was five years old. He learned to fly at age 15 with instructor Bobbie Kroll at Gilpin Field. He built model airplanes out of balsa wood throughout his youth. His parents did not have money for an out-of-state university. Neither the University of Arizona nor Arizona State University offered top-notch aeronautical engineering courses at that time. He planned to join the Army to qualify for free college tuition under the G.I. Bill. A friend's father convinced Congressman Richard F. Harless to list him as a third alternative for West Point. He took the entrance examination and passed both it and the Army physical. He entered West Point on the 1st of July 1946, with the Class of 1950. Many members were older than he and had seen active service in World War II. Hazing by upperclassmen was common during those early days. He tried out for the plebe football team but lacked sufficient skills. Head coach Earl Blaik took him on as an assistant manager instead. In his final year, Borman served as cadet captain commanding his company. He also managed the varsity football team. The first-string quarterback broke his arm during the first game. Every one of the four forward passes Borman attempted that season was incomplete. The team went on to win the state championship anyway. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree on the 6th of June 1950, ranked eighth in his class of 670. He drove back to Tucson with his parents in his brand-new Oldsmobile 88 for the traditional sixty-day furlough after graduation.
Test Pilot And Selection
Borman chose to be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force on the 2nd of June 1950. Before the USAF Academy was built, the service authorized up to a quarter of each West Point graduating class. The entire class was commissioned four days ahead of their official graduation date. He reported to Perrin Air Force Base in Texas for basic flight training in August 1950. Top students in the class could choose which branch of flying they would pursue. Borman elected to become a fighter pilot. He was sent to Williams Air Force Base near Phoenix in February 1951 for advanced training. He flew the North American T-28 Trojan and then the F-80 jet fighter. Fighter pilots were being sent to Korea where the war had broken out the year before. His orders changed at the last minute to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. There he practiced aerial bombing and gunnery. His first child, a son called Frederick Pearce, was born there in October. He received his pilot wings on the 4th of December 1951. Soon after, Borman suffered a perforated eardrum while practicing dive bombing with a bad head cold. Instead of going to Korea, he was ordered to report to Camp Stoneman. He boarded a troop transport bound for the Philippines on the 20th of December 1951. Susan sold the Oldsmobile to buy air tickets to join him. He was assigned to the 44th Fighter-Bomber Squadron based at Clark Air Base. Major Charles McGee commanded that unit initially. Borman was restricted to non-flying duties due to his eardrum. Doctors feared it would rupture again if he flew. He persuaded McGee to take him for flights in a T-6 and then a Lockheed T-33. This convinced the doctors and restored his flight status on the 22nd of September 1952. In June 1960, Borman was selected for Class 60-C at the USAF Experimental Flight Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base. His class included Michael Collins and James B. Irwin who also later became astronauts. They graduated on the 21st of April 1961. Thomas P. Stafford was one of the instructors. On graduation, Borman was accepted as one of five students in the first class at the Aerospace Research Pilot School. Fellow members included future astronaut Jim McDivitt. Classes included orbital mechanics at the University of Michigan. There were zero-G flights in modified Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft. Borman began training with the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. It would be flown up to 80,000 feet where the engine cut out for lack of oxygen. Then it coasted up to 100,000 feet before descending powerlessly. A pressure suit was required for these high-altitude tests. NASA formally announced acceptance of applications for a new group of astronauts on the 18th of April 1962. The USAF submitted eleven candidates through its internal selection process. Candidates called their brief May 1962 training course a charm school. Borman's selection as one of the Next Nine was publicly announced on the 17th of September 1962. Chuck Yeager told him he could kiss his godamned Air Force career goodbye. During his Air Force service, Borman logged 3,600 hours of flying time.
Gemini 7 Endurance Record
When Deke Slayton drew up a tentative schedule for Project Gemini flights, he assigned Alan Shepard command of the first crewed flight. Mercury Seven astronaut Gus Grissom would command the backup crew with Borman as co-pilot. Under Slayton's rotation system, the backup crew of one mission became prime of the third mission after. Borman would therefore become co-pilot of Gemini 6 which was planned as a long-duration fourteen-day mission. When Shepard was grounded in October 1963, Grissom and Borman became prime crew of Gemini 3. Grissom invited Borman to talk about the mission but decided they could not work together. Gene Cernan later said the egos of Grissom and Borman were too big to fit into a single spacecraft. Slayton replaced Borman with John Young. Slayton still wanted Borman for the two-week flight now slipped to Gemini 7. He was assigned as backup commander of Gemini 4 with Jim Lovell as co-pilot. This was officially announced on the 27th of July 1964. Their assignment to Gemini 7 followed on the 1st of July 1965. Ed White and Michael Collins served as their backups. Prime and backup crews trained together making it a dress rehearsal for their own mission. That Gemini 7 would last fourteen days gave Borman time to prepare. To keep fit he and Lovell jogged three miles daily and played handball after work. They visited the McDonnell Aircraft plant in St. Louis where their spacecraft was built. At 35,000 pounds it was heavier than any previous Gemini spacecraft. Special procedures developed for stowage of consumables and garbage. A lightweight space suit made astronauts more comfortable. A major change occurred when the Agena target vehicle for Gemini 6 suffered catastrophic failure. The mission intended to practice orbital rendezvous became impossible. Borman heard two McDonnell officials discuss using Gemini 7 as a rendezvous target instead. He rejected docking but thought the idea had merit. After discussion it was approved. The 6555th Aerospace Test Wing dismantled Gemini 6 and assembled Gemini 7 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 19. Gemini 7 launched at 14:30 local time on the 6th of December 1965. Then the race began to launch Gemini 6 with Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford aboard. It accomplished that at 08:37 local time on December 15. Gemini 6 completed rendezvous with Gemini 7 at 14:33. The two craft came within six feet of each other. At one point Schirra held up a sign saying Beat Army. Schirra, Stafford and Lovell were all Naval Academy graduates while Borman was from West Point. When Schirra and Stafford pulled away Borman and Lovell still had three days left in a space size of a small car front seat. On December 18 it was time to return. They used dexedrine stimulant before re-entry. The spacecraft splashed down 20 miles from the recovery vessel aircraft carrier USS Guadalcanal. Borman had never been on an aircraft carrier before and was awed by its size. He received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for this mission. At age 37 he became youngest full colonel in the Air Force.
Apollo 8 Lunar Orbit
Borman's medium Earth orbit lunar module test mission planned as Apollo 9 shifted when Collins suffered cervical disc herniation requiring surgery in July 1968. He was replaced by Lovell reuniting Borman with his Gemini 7 crewmate. When Apollo 8's LM-3 arrived at Kennedy Space Center in June 1968 over hundred significant defects appeared. George Low proposed sending CSM-103 alone to the Moon entering lunar orbit before returning. This kept schedule for mid-1969 lunar landing intact. McDivitt turned down flying it since his crew prepared to test the lunar module. Borman answered yes without hesitation when asked same question. Slayton decided swap crews and spacecraft of Apollo 8 and 9 missions. Apollo 8 launched at 12:51:00 UTC on the 21st of December 1968. On second day Borman awoke feeling ill vomiting twice and suffering diarrhea leaving spacecraft full of small globules. Crew cleaned up best they could. Researchers now believe space adaptation syndrome affected him about third of astronauts during first day weightlessness. Increased cabin space contributed symptoms compared Mercury and Gemini missions. On December 24 Apollo 8 went into lunar orbit making ten orbits in twenty hours. Mission known for Earthrise photograph taken by Bill Anders showing Earth rising above lunar horizon. Also famous for televised reading from Genesis released worldwide broadcast. Julian Scheer told Borman six weeks before launch television broadcast scheduled finding appropriate words. Bourgin consulted Joe Laitin former United Press International reporter suggesting read Book of Genesis after wife Christine idea. Text transcribed onto fireproof paper for broadcast. One thing truly historic Borman later joked was getting good Catholic Bill Anders to read King James Version bible. Spacecraft splashed down darkness at 10:51:42 UTC Friday December 27. Borman argued daylight landing unnecessary requiring twelve orbits minimum. When hitting water he did not flick switch releasing parachutes quickly enough dragging spacecraft over leaving it upside down. Flashing beacon light could not seen recovery helicopters. He inflated bags nose righting itself. Ground rules required daylight recovery so crew waited 45 minutes until sunrise before frogmen opened hatches. Borman became seasick throwing up glad when taken aboard aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. They survived mission even crew rated fifty-fifty chance fully succeeding. Effect summed telegram stranger received stating simply Thank you Apollo 8 You saved 1968. Crew accorded ticker tape parades New York Chicago Washington DC awarded NASA Distinguished Service Medal presented President Lyndon B. Johnson. Borman also awarded Air Force Distinguished Service Medal.
Eastern Air Lines Turnaround
Borman joined Eastern Air Lines the 1st of July 1970 moving to Miami becoming senior vice president operations December that year. Evening of the 29th of December 1972 phone call informed him Flight 401 disappeared off radar near Florida Everglades. He took helicopter landing darkness from crash site wading waist-deep murky swamp helping rescue victims loading survivors into rescue helicopters. Accident spotlighted Lockheed L-1011 TriStar aircraft suffering maintenance problems turbine blades Rolls-Royce RB211 engine making difficult fly profitably. Company spent $200,000 down payment two Concordes no suitable routes flying them. Fuel prices quadrupled 1970s making Boeing 727-100QC aircraft marginally profitable consuming more fuel than standard models. Borman promoted executive vice president general operations manager elected board directors July 1974. May 1975 elected president chief operating officer named CEO December 1976 chairman board December 1976. He disliked plush offices luxury Cadillac Mercedes company cars Lockheed JetStar corporate jet executives firing furloughing employees. After becoming CEO saved company $9 million annually salaries firing 81 middle managers 31 vice presidents. Drove work second-hand Chevrolet Camaro engine rebuilt himself. Sold JetStar banned drinking company time including lunchtime ending three-martini lunch shock many executives. Eastern not turned profit since 1969 convinced employees accept wage freeze 1976 eight percent raise 1977 five-year Variable Earnings Program VEP. Employees contributed 3.5 percent annual salaries special profit insurance fund. If company achieved two percent return revenue dollar fund used make difference. Excess money returned employees earning back twice contributions. Borman visited airline facilities 28 states bringing proposals employees. With VEP refinance debt company's 254 aircraft profits jumped record $67.3 million 1978. Employees received double VEP payments ordered $1.4 billion worth new fuel-efficient aircraft company debt ballooned $2.3 billion. But 1979 last profitable year until 1985 intervening five years Eastern ran loss accumulating $380 million losses. Debt-to-equity ratio stood 8:1 servicing required $235 million annually interest payments representing about cents every dollar earned. Airline deregulation 1978 caused number airlines United States increase 30 nearly 100 newcomers offered unprofitable unsustainable low prices gain market share. First three-quarters 1984 Eastern lost $128 million. Borman negotiated agreement Air Line Pilots Association ALPA 22 percent pay cut International Association Machinists IAM Transport Workers Union TWU flight attendants accepted 18 percent cut. Employees nominally compensated grants company stock value declined $60 share 1966 to $6 share 1983. Eastern posted profit $6.3 million gross revenues $4 billion 1984 not enough satisfy creditors demanding two percent profit. Laid off 1,000 flight attendants cut pay 6,000 more over 20 percent slashed executives middle managers 20 to 25 percent. First quarter 1985 earnings up $24.3 million 35 cents share setting aside $28.9 million employees third consecutive profitable quarter row. Attempted negotiate further cuts unions threatening bankruptcy ALPA TWU accepted IAM did not. Over ten years three unions gave up $836 million wages benefits company little show Charlie Bryan head IAM said union accept deal only if Borman resigned. Response Eastern board decided sell airline Texas Air Corporation headed Frank Lorenzo. Borman resigned June 1986 personal defeat hardly financial disaster receiving severance payment $900,000 drawing consultant fee $150,000 year until 1991.
Retirement And Legacy
Borman retired NASA U.S. Air Force colonel June 1970 citing family stress major reason leaving astronaut corps wife alcohol dependency. Later cited family stress major reason leaving astronaut corps wife alcohol dependency. August 1970 undertook special presidential mission worldwide tour seeking support release American prisoners war held North Vietnam. Conclusion 25-day mission 25 countries briefed Nixon September 1 Western White House San Clemente California. Mission abject failure fame failed compensate lack political experience gravitas. Appeared unusual joint meeting Congress conducted request National League Families American Prisoners Missing Southeast Asia capacity presidential envoy. Noted POWs treated poorly urged Congress not forsake countrymen given much for you. Performed one more assignment military 1976 major cheating scandal West Point Faculty noticed remarkably similar answers examination paper Electrical Engineering 304 required course over 800 cadets complete own. Cheating violation Cadet Honor Code cheaters subject expulsion. Cadets tried 12-member honor boards functioning grand juries system prone abuse cleared appeal five-member appeal boards officers courts often punished silence form shunning. Borman appointed head special commission investigate report Secretary Army. Eventually 92 cadets readmitted graduated Class 1978 more than 60 others declined offer amnesty chose complete education elsewhere. Son Frederick West Point Class 1974 accused taking bribe alleged member cadet honor code board accepted $1,200 payment fix case involving two cadets accused cheating. Cleared charges polygraph test younger son Edwin Class 1975 also accused improprieties evidence support allegations dismissed. Left Miami moved Las Cruces New Mexico majority owner Las Cruces Ford dealership founded son Fred. Member boards directors Home Depot National Geographic Outboard Marine Corporation Automotive Financial Group Thermo Instrument Systems American Superconductor CEO Patlex Corporation small company holding patents lasers July 1988 August 1996. Published autobiography Countdown co-written Robert J. Serling year. Purchased cattle ranch Bighorn Mountains southern Montana running 4,000 head cattle 1998. Tending cattle continued hobbies rebuilding modeling aircraft notably owned painstakingly rebuilt rare World War II single-engine fighter Bell P-63 Kingcobra won prestigious Grand Champion Warbird award exhibited Oshkosh 1998 personally flew airshows. Member Society Antique Modelers SAM. Moved Billings Montana wife Susan suffered Alzheimer's disease spent much time caring visiting daily until death the 7th of September 2021. Following John Glenn death December 2016 oldest living American astronaut eleven days older Apollo 8 crewmate Jim Lovell. Both celebrated 90th birthdays March 2018. Gave commencement address University Arizona 2008 graduating class reunited Lovell Anders celebrations 50th anniversary Apollo the 8th of December 2018 Museum Science Industry Chicago spacecraft orbited Moon display. Declared publicly never said before these two talented guys proud able fly tough job done four months did good job. Died stroke Billings Clinic the 7th of November 2023 age 95 remembered some Billings man cared people interred West Point Cemetery.
When was Frank Borman born and where did he grow up?
Frank Frederick Borman II was born on the 14th of March 1928 in Gary, Indiana. His family moved to Tucson, Arizona when he was young due to his sinus problems caused by cold weather.
What education did Frank Borman receive before becoming an astronaut?
Frank Borman graduated from West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree on the 6th of June 1950 ranked eighth in his class. He later attended the USAF Experimental Flight Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base graduating on the 21st of April 1961.
Which missions did Frank Borman command during his space career?
Frank Borman commanded Gemini 7 which launched on the 6th of December 1965 and lasted fourteen days. He also commanded Apollo 8 which launched on the 21st of December 1968 making ten orbits around the Moon.
How did Frank Borman contribute to Eastern Air Lines after leaving NASA?
Frank Borman served as CEO of Eastern Air Lines starting in December 1976 where he saved the company $9 million annually through cost-cutting measures. He implemented a Variable Earnings Program that helped generate record profits of $67.3 million in 1978 before resigning in June 1986.
When did Frank Borman die and what was his age at death?
Frank Borman died from a stroke on the 7th of November 2023 at Billings Clinic in Montana. He was 95 years old when he passed away and is interred in West Point Cemetery.