Object #: 6782, 6783, and 6784
Object Name: Thank You Card, Condolence
Place of Origin: United States
Date of Origin: 1967
Source: Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center
Description: Three cream-colored stock cards with black, script print. The cards are notes of thanks to people who offered their sympathy and condolences to the families of the Apollo 1 crew after the tragic explosion in January 1967. The words on each card are reprinted below.
We wish to acknowledge with sincere thanks the kind expression of your sympathy
The family of Virgil (Gus) Grissom
Sheryl, Stephen, and I thank you sincerely for your thoughtful expression of sympathy at a time when it was deeply appreciated
Martha Chaffee [signed in blue ink]
The family of Edward H. White II thanks you sincerely for your thoughtful kindness at a time when it was deeply appreciated
Pat White [signed in blue ink]
Historical Notes: Forty-three years ago, NASA suffered its first loss of life involving a spacecraft. Apollo 1 (officially Apollo/ Saturn – 204) was to be the first manned mission of the Apollo lunar landing program. The official launch day was set as February 21, 1967. However, on January 27, during a routine pre-launch test of the spacecraft on Pad 34, a fire broke out inside the capsule killing the entire crew: Commander Pilot Virgil ‘Gus’ Grissom, Senior Pilot Edward H. White, and Pilot Roger B. Chaffee. The source of the fire was never specifically identified; however, several flaws were found in the Block I Apollo Command Module prompting redesign and reconstruction work before another manned crew flew. The tragedy of Apollo 1 ensured specific measures and precautions were taken in moving forward with the manned program, leading the entire Apollo program, and the astronaut’s brothers in arms, to a successful and safe place in history.
Curatorial Comments: The Cosmosphere honors the achievements of these three brave astronauts before their life was so suddenly and tragically taken away. Gus Grissom’s Mercury capsule, Liberty Bell 7, is on display in the Mollett Gallery, as are flown items from Ed White’s first space walk. |
