Borman, who also served as the CEO of Eastern Airlines in the 1970s and '80s, is best remembered for his role in leading the first Apollo mission to orbit the moon. Alongside his crewmates James Lovell and William Anders, Borman embarked on a three-day journey to the moon, ultimately circling it ten times before returning to Earth. This historic mission set the stage for the subsequent lunar landing in 1969.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson paid tribute to Borman, stating, "Today we remember one of NASA's best. Astronaut Frank Borman was a true American hero. His lifelong love for aviation and exploration was only surpassed by his love for his wife Susan."
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The Apollo 8 mission, launched from Cape Canaveral on December 21, 1968, marked a significant milestone in space exploration. On Christmas Eve, the astronauts delivered a live telecast from the orbiter, during which they read from the Book of Genesis. Borman concluded the broadcast with a heartfelt message, saying, "And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you — all of you on the good Earth."
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Borman's journey to the moon was not his first foray into space. He had previously flown alongside Lovell during the Gemini 7 mission in 1965, which achieved the first space orbital rendezvous with Gemini 6. Reflecting on the experience, Borman humorously remarked, "Gemini was a tough go. It was smaller than the front seat of a Volkswagen bug. It made Apollo seem like a super-duper, plush touring bus."
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In his autobiography, "Countdown: An Autobiography," Borman revealed that Apollo 8 was initially intended to orbit Earth. However, the success of Apollo 7's mission in October 1968, which demonstrated the reliability of long-duration flights, prompted NASA to seize the opportunity to fly to the moon. Borman also noted that the agency's desire to outpace the Russians played a role in the decision to change the mission plan. He believed that completing just one orbit would have sufficed, as his primary concern was beating the Russians and returning safely.
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During the fourth orbit of the mission, William Anders captured the iconic "Earthrise" photograph, depicting the Earth rising above the lunar landscape. Borman described the emotional impact of seeing the Earth from a distance, stating, "We were the first humans to see the world in its majestic totality, an intensely emotional experience for each of us. We said nothing to each other, but I was sure our thoughts were identical — of our families on that spinning globe. And maybe we shared another thought I had, This must be what God sees."
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Following his time at NASA, Borman transitioned into the aviation industry and joined Eastern Airlines in 1970. He eventually became the president, CEO, and chairman of the board of the airline. However, his tenure coincided with challenges such as rising fuel prices and the deregulation of the airline industry by the government. Eastern Airlines faced financial difficulties, mounting debt, and labor disputes, leading Borman to resign in 1986. He later relocated to Las Cruces, New Mexico.
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Borman's fascination with flying began in his teenage years when he and his father would assemble model airplanes. At the age of 15, he took flying lessons using money he had earned as a bag boy and gas station attendant. After eight hours of dual instruction, Borman completed his first solo flight. He continued flying well into his 90s.
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Born in Gary, Indiana, Borman was raised in Tucson, Arizona. He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in 1950. That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Susan Bugbee, who passed away in 2021. Borman served as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and instructor at West Point after graduation. In 1956, he moved to Pasadena, California, where he obtained a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the California Institute of Technology. In 1962, Borman was selected as one of nine test pilots for NASA's astronaut program.
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For his contributions to space exploration, Borman was awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor by President Jimmy Carter. In 1998, he embarked on a new venture, starting a cattle ranch in Bighorn, Montana, alongside his son, Fred. Borman is survived by his sons Fred and Edwin, as well as their families.
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