Charles A. Bassett II
Born December 30, 1931 in Dayton, Ohio. Charles A. Bassett graduated from Ohio State University and Texas Technological College receiving a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. Bassett and his wife, Jean Martin Bassett, have two children, Karen and Peter.
Captain Bassett graduated from the Air Force Experimental Pilot School and became a test pilot. He ultimately logged over 3,600 hours of flying time, including over 2,900 hours in jet aircraft.
Bassett was chosen to be an astronaut in October 1963, and was named pilot for the Gemini 9 mission. While in training for this mission, he was on a flight into the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation’s St. Louis plant. During an instrument landing, the plane crashed.
Charles A. Bassett II made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on February 28, 1966 at 34 years of age.
Captain Bassett graduated from the Air Force Experimental Pilot School and became a test pilot. He ultimately logged over 3,600 hours of flying time, including over 2,900 hours in jet aircraft.
Bassett was chosen to be an astronaut in October 1963, and was named pilot for the Gemini 9 mission. While in training for this mission, he was on a flight into the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation’s St. Louis plant. During an instrument landing, the plane crashed.
Charles A. Bassett II made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in service to the nation and the space program on February 28, 1966 at 34 years of age.
