When
General Charles Bolden was growing up in South Carolina, he watched a television
program called "Men of Annapolis." It sang the praises of the U.S. Naval Academy,
and its traditions instilled in him a desire to become a naval officer.
To achieve his mission, Bolden
developed his mind, body and spirit for the challenge. Naturally, he was assisted
by his family, especially his father who was his hero and football coach.
In 1964, Bolden became a
midshipman at the naval academy; four years later, he received a bachelor degree
in electrical science and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine
Corps, a special part of the U.S. Navy. After completing pilot training in 1
970, Bolden flew more than 1 00 missions over North and South Vietnam, Laos
and Cambodia.
After the war, he attended
test pilot school and in 1 977 earned a master of science degree in systems
management at the University of Southern California. Bolden was o test pilot
until selected by NASA for its space program and became an astronaut in 1981.
From 1 986 to 1994, he was on four space flights. He was a pilot for the 1986
and 1 990 space flights and mission commander in 1992 and 1994. His last mission
was an historic one. It was the first joint American - Russian Space Shuttle
Discovery Mission.
Bolden is the recipient of
many military and NASA honors. He has earned the Distinguished Flying Cross,
the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and
the Air Medal. His NASA awards are the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal and
the NASA Exceptional Service Medals in 1988, 1989 and 1991. Bolden's academic
awards include an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of Southern
California and a Doctor of Humane Letters from Winthrop College and Johnson
C. Smith University.
In 1994 General Bolden left
NASA and had been assigned to the position of Deputy Commandant for midshipmen
at the U.S. Naval Academy. Like his father, Bolden has served as a beacon for
his son Anthony, a 1993 graduate of the naval academy and newly commissioned
second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, presently waiting to begin pilot
training. Their bonding and search for excellence continues. They are bright
rays of hope! Their persistent and quiet courage makes them honored defenders
of the "American Dream."
