Richard F. Gordon Jr.

Richard Gordon

Richard Francis Gordon Jr., a Captain in the United States Navy (Retired), was born on October 5, 1929 in Seattle, Washington.

After he retired from NASA and the U.S. Navy, he served as an Executive Vice President of the New Orleans Saints, held leadership positions in the oil industry, and was President of Astro Sciences Corporation.

Gordon died on November 6, 2017 from cardiac arrest and complications from cancer at his home in in San Marcos, California.

NASA Biography

Space Flights:

  • Pilot, Gemini 11, September 12-15, 1966, tethered the spacecraft to an Agena target vehicle after the first direct-ascent (first orbit) rendezvous with an Agena. Gordon also performed two EVAs. His Gemini 11 crewmate Conrad is also buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
  • Command Module Pilot, Apollo 12, Yankee Clipper and Intrepid, November 14-24, 1969. Second landing on the moon, near the Surveyor 3 unmanned probe. His Apollo 12 crewmates Bean and Conrad are also buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Total Hours in Space: 315+

Astronaut Group: 3-October 18, 1963

Degrees: BS Degree, Chemistry, University of Washington, 1951

Military Service & Awards: He served as a test pilot and later as flight safety officer, assistant operations officer, and ground training officer for Fighter Squadron 96 at Miramar. He logged more than 4,500 hours of flying time, including 3,500 hours in jet aircraft. Awarded to Navy Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

Apollo 12 crew
Apollo 12 crew

Interred at Arlington National Cemetery: February 20, 2018

Section: 18
Grave: 30047
Grid: Q-11

How to locate: From the Memorial Amphitheater walk South on Memorial Drive, turn right on Porter Drive, then left on McPherson Drive. The roadway curves to the right and then to the left, onto Grant Drive. Pass Hobson Avenue on the right and the gravesite is on the right just before Clayton Drive.