Donald "Deke" K. Slayton A-26 Pilot

[Robbie Stuart]

NASA PHOTO

Photo Description; This World War II photograph shows future Astronaut Donald "Deke" K. Slayton (on right) and 1st Lt. Ed Steinman (on left) beside a Douglas A-26 bomber in the Pacific Theater of Operations during the summer of 1945. While the exact location is unknown, the photograph was most likely taken on Okinawa. 1st Lt. Slayton was one of only two NASA astronauts to fly combat missions during World War II.

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[Django]

Only 2 were combat vets? That is surprising. I assume John Glenn was the other?

[Robbie Stuart]

John Glenn enrolled in the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in 1942 and served with the Marines' VMO-155 during World War Two, flying 59 combat missions in F4U Corsairs over the Marshalls, and earning two DFC's.

[Dan Jones]

I thought Deke Slayton was also a Skyraider driver in Korea?

[BK]

John Glenn enrolled in the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in 1942 and served with the Marines' VMO-155 during World War Two, flying 59 combat missions in F4U Corsairs over the Marshalls, and earning two DFC's.

He shot down three Migs over Korea flying an F-86 in the USAF pilot exchange program. This was after 63 missions flying ground support in Panthers.