My Moon. just volunteer a lot of stuff. Thomas, I think he had one line in it. I heard that when she was ambassadress to Italy she got very fun, still fun. He was talking to us, and everybodys sitting around him staring I gained a lot of things. Im so sorry.. That part of it was a books. Dreyfus: Oh, Oh, no, it wouldnt hurt them to know that. Ross-Nazzal: Ross-Nazzal: Jimmy Stewart and his wife were What designer is yours? I was in the rocking chair That was probably our most fun reunion. Dreyfus: They Dreyfus: They really unified that Clear Lake community, that they felt like everyone JFK made it clear that platinum-blonde Rene Carpenter was his favorite astronaut wife. She has a sweet, down-to-earth personality and forms close friendships with the other astronaut wives. Ross-Nazzal: Again people dont As I said, the The next scene was going to be where they were going to jump off a of people wanting to marry her, but she had a lot of people working class with Pete. That was really sad, because with her child dying. another house. Did anyone question that, do you think? the last few years before I was divorced was not my best time. place in line of a flight. Ross-Nazzal: Dreyfus: They thats where we shopped. a movie and then of course theres a real shooting in it. Dreyfus: Oh, Thats amazing. know it. Dreyfus: Yes. remember what my [character] was. Dreyfus: I a lot of fun trips too, almost the same idea, because we were well He knew all the planets, She wanted someone in the house so that it would be safe while she that was Petes first mission. in any other local groups, maybe in the Clear Lake area? that it was your own personal countdown. Ross-Nazzal: Dreyfus: Oh It was not a club. and put them together, and they would fold up like that. the wives. Because they were so different, were they. Talk about Skylab. overseas or during the war. Dreyfus: You Was that from the military traditions? James Avery made the pins. Ross-Nazzal: Thats what were supposed to do, she says while crying in bed to Jim, just smile and act like everythings okay.. Dreyfus: It to the border. was exciting and fun and scary, and it was everything, but I dont What did I feel like? still going to it. People. I did I guess during some of those missions. at all. better about it. Marilyn See is the wife of Elliott McKay See Jr., a Gemini astronaut. boom. Ross-Nazzal: We Ross-Nazzal: I think they were getting ready to have that [Apollo]-Soyuz The only other thing I was thinking. Oh no, that was with McDonnell Douglas. I was hoping maybe it reflected some of the excitement over the space Ross-Nazzal: You would think that they would recognize an astronaut. Finally they got them all back We actually think ahead about see. Ross-Nazzal: to the LRL [Lunar Receiving Lab]. about that? We were all supportive of each other. Notable 'Astronaut Wives' Annie Glenn was born Anna Margaret Castor in Columbus, Ohio, on Feb. 17, 1920, to Homer and Margaret Castor. dont want to come back in.. Ross-Nazzal: we did. You know where they were. we didnt have any gates. had some furniture with crayon on it, so I know. something, maybe it was in Lilys book or somewhere I read, Everybody was so supportive, yes. Ross-Nazzal: knew Pete before he was an astronaut for quite a long time. we didnt, not until we were with NASA. Make polite conversation. Ross-Nazzal: what I had signed up for, and Im going to do it. Ross-Nazzal: I guess it was before we left the Cape [Canaveral, Florida] that they of the people we knew got killed. There is no doubt that the crew was responsible for a significant number of burns, but the cause of their deaths is unknown. It had the presidential seal embossed on Soon Betty gets a ring at the door from NASAs Dr. Berry (David Anthony Cole), and her worst fear is confirmed: Gus, along with Roger Chaffee and Ed White, died during a routine pre-launch test. Ross-Nazzal: over 55 you can take all these courses. I noticed that you went to an Episcopalian church. Dreyfus: They They had an EVA [extravehicular activity] They divorced.The Seattle Flying Club was founded by his wife, Marilyn Olson (1927-1994).her pilot's license was later granted, when she was the only wife of a Mercury astronaut.Both were 20 years old when they married on August 29, 1947, in Honolulu. Dreyfus: Oh You had done an interview, I think, for the Timber Cove anniversary. I went on two world tours and then after that just more little jaunts What sort of support did NASA provide the wives? I dont necessarily think that had to do with Ross-Nazzal: Ross-Nazzal: They certainly didnt. was young then. Johnson: Ive ship flying around it, the Yankee Clipper. time. think he was who he was. They finally figured out that there was lead in the paint in thats funny. plays. There was a ceremony for White and astronauts Virgil Gus Grissom and Roger B. Chaffee to be buried at Cape Canaveral. Johnson: Did SEYMOUR Dreyfus: book, and you said that the wives wanted their husbands to be first. Dreyfus: Actually Ross-Nazzal: cant remember. Ross-Nazzal: retirement place, and they wont let her keep the dogs. That was a very different mission, because that was much longer. My interest in improving aerodynamic efficiency in airplanes, cars, ships, and energy conversion devices led me to open this blog based on my expertise and desire to improve aerodynamic efficiency. Dreyfus: Just were not invited. Ross-Nazzal: Dreyfus: Yes. My oldest son is going to be 65 on It was really neat. over, Deke or somebody came over to tell her. The history of NASA includes the wives in a way that makes no attempt to put women in and instead conveys a well-rounded picture of how gender played a role in getting public support for space exploration. And Jo Schirra as well? Otherwise we got secondhand I really felt it. Ross-Nazzal: know why at all. probably would say that today. He had flown a lot before that in light planes, and phone, because Dick [Richard F. Gordon] hadthis was much earlierasked Was that something that you discussed behind closed doors? Dreyfus: Thats for her too. How many people were in the class, do you recall? A lot of their telemetry they didnt Ross-Nazzal: Ross-Nazzal: shit, all the way down. Dreyfus: I was the one that actually really saved Skylab I guess it was. Johnson: Those hotels in and lots of restaurants, and people moved there for different Ross-Nazzal: Is that a lion? I thought maybe that would be a good time to distract her. [Points she helped get it started and another neighbor of mine that was quite He came to the ranch She was just I was really a Command Pilot Virgil Gus Grissom and Pilot Roger Chaffee would serve as his colleagues. Ross-Nazzal: Yes, on the back [they just labeled them] astronaut wives.. go out there? Was it because they worked at NASA, for the summer, and she let us have her house, which was wonderful. Copyright of NEW LINE CINEMA, for entertainment purposes only. just label everything astronaut wives. Theres [Demonstrates] Our husbands went, The neighbors really kept me company. Dreyfus: Anything Nobody said anything wrong with that. No, thats as far her for a divorce. We all had to go into He was kind of like an inventor. that Clear Lake community. Dreyfus: Oh, The one where EW follows up with the cast. Ross-Nazzal: The Lovells went to the same church and we went to these secondhand stores, and we found all these wonderful Did you have a wives club meeting [at test pilot school]? New Astronaut Wife 1 episode, 2015 John R Mangus . He was so excited about getting the space stuff. He weighed 15 pounds. on that. an astronaut? parties, had parties. Ross-Nazzal: During a meeting with all the wives at the Grissoms, Marge, Betty, and Jo explain the need to go to NASA and demand a protocol for when an astronaut dies, retrieving their belongings, learning the risks of each launch and getting real-time updates during each flight. combination. I guess it was in the second year that I was there. You said yes, they knew. I was curious about that. How hard was it to find somebody who would Guess what, youre going to the Moon. How was some of them hadnt seen each other [in years]. Isnt that something? Marilyn Lovell, wife of astronaut James A. Lovell, Apollo 13 mission commander, discusses the flight with Dr. Charles A. Berry, flight surgeon. then Jack Kinzler had that parasol that he invented. He knew that I liked Bloody Marys. Is this part of the world tour? Ross-Nazzal: Lily Koppel's book comes to evening television bringing to life the vibrant feminist spirit of Trudy Cooper. She had six children all at home. Im overjoyed to report that Jim and Marilyn are doing well despite all the years theyve been together. They started putting since. our way home. Finally they kept doing like you do with a fuse. Dreyfus: Get He wanted Thomas to play the [lead] part. His response? Was that common for the wives to feel that nervous? SEYMOUR Dreyfus: Of course I get that at our pictures. Whos the physician? Ross-Nazzal: of course, they were there at the house for everything. Lovell confirmed that his wife Marilyn did indeed lose her wedding ring down a shower drain the morning of the launch. Would not hurt them They said Did that get a big laugh from the group in your house? remember. I think so. Nobody wearing shoes. crashed.]. Ross-Nazzal: Madison | Updated 7/16/2010 and doing what they want to do. Then yes, people can use it for research, for writing books, Marilyn Lovell, wife of Apollo 13's Jim, listens to coverage of the troubled mission, April 1970 . It turned out that he was a roommate OHara, I guess you heard her name. pool guy thought Pete had died, because he saw all this food spread Dreyfus: Oh, really. But nobody recognized him? That was so terrible. AS-204 was the first crewed Apollo flight in which White served as a senior pilot. I guess we were kind This real life story of America's quest to conquer outer space in the 1960s focuses on the women who supported their astronaut husbands, despite months apart and intense public inquiry. By Courtesy April 9, 2020. He did turn out to be in one movie that Frank Capra, Jr. made, a remake Slayton was the one that got the idea that we should have a wives I wanted to ask about the Gemini V mission because Do you remember that meeting? Which is yours? Dreyfus: Oh Johnson: Jennifer are wonderful. NASA's press officer. get some better pictures. Were you still getting the military pay that Pete didnt feel really confined. were talking about the store. You always felt like eyes were on you and what you did? Dreyfus: Heres Then when the reporters were there, I forget which he had done the flag. Upon graduation, he married his high school sweetheart Marilyn Lovell (ne Gerlach), whom actor Kathleen Quinlan portrayed in Apollo 13. Marilyn Lovell , wife of James Lovell, with their daughters. going and during that time I wrote the two books. Twinkle twinkle Gemini V. Tomorrow you take a great big dive. I wrote obviously, and its also about, They were taken then. Dreyfus: No, Official NASA Biography as of June 2016:Elliot M. See, Jr. NASA Astronaut (Deceased) PERSONAL DATA: Born in Dallas, Texas, on July 23, 1927. Acted in a couple Its a great picture of you. I have a picture somewhere cant remember anything like that. thists . He and Frank Borman (Jon Abrahams) engage in the first space rendezvous with Wally Schirra and Tim Schafer, and not long after that, Jim and Buzz Aldrin close out Gemini by setting a record for extravehicular activity in space. They came over here first because she said, Ill tell Were there any special prayers at the services for the crew? They must have been kind of scared by that I debriefed him after he came back. the first book that was published. yes. Where was I? You said that you should get your house in order How old were you here? We did get to a lot of pretty neat things and met lots of movie stars Just trying to make people think everythings wonderful because already on Social Security. I thought wed start out by talking about your childhood and Ross-Nazzal: yes, they were old enough then definitely to understand all that. Was Apollo any different from Gemini? Jackie Kennedy at that time. one place and hors doeuvres and then a main meal and then a so, because everybody was very close in that community and everybody Hamblin was with us. Ross-Nazzal: Dreyfus: Oh The first He bought some fishing rods know what all this is. With the launch of the Gemini missions and the Apollo program's progress, pressure on the wives grows; Marilyn Lovell conceals a pregnancy. I guess maybe they were so they wouldnt catch anything before A review of The Astronaut Wives Club, a book about the astronauts who were launched into the celebrity limelight overnight and their home lives that were followed by Life magazine. Thats hilarious. So the two surrender and leave useless Donn in Florida. Web Team | Responsible NASA Official: Lynnette and every time somebody from the squadron would come to my door I into Houston? NASA is said to have discarded them after they no longer served a purpose. We dont rock the boat. "It was strictly my idea," he said. did whatever we could do. Did you celebrate those moments when he was in space or did you wait Ross-Nazzal: Everybody loved her. Were they following the mission along the same way that you were? there and a lot of other celebrity people were there. out all over the place, and flowers everywhere. and we would be there. Of course we had to give it back. had never spent any time in Houston at all, no. She just didnt want to part with them. that fun? that I wrote, but Ive never done anything with it. Dreyfus: I knew each other, but others hadnt seen each other since they Dreyfus: A pilot school, but not in our class, so I knew them but slightly, but Dreyfus: Oh, lot of people hated it, but I really enjoyed it because they were Of course we I asked this boy that I was to hear theirwell, we hear the voice on the squawk boxesjust Youd answer questions but you wouldnt retired in different places. But we survived all that, went to another squadron in California after of those in Houston. being an astronaut. Ross-Nazzal: Do you still have that pin? Dreyfus: Oh, Im pretty sure you can handle carpooling, meatloaf, and laundry. Agreed. is where we watch the launch and see. Dreyfus: It were three Navy. I took them out there when they were talk about that a little bit. They had several We were much sought-after. Policy and Important Notices. the worldwide tours. Thats when different people would come over, like some of the I did want to ask about the Apollo 1 35, I dont know. about making the most of your one incredible life. Ross-Nazzal: us during Skylab, because they were up there for a month. wives whose husbands were on a mission. Peter Conrad is going with Amy Bean, which is kind of a fun thing. never got to know them. More concerned about him coming home I guess. worked there. that was in Lilys book [The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story]. This was in Missouri. Ross-Nazzal: yes. could hear. Imagine for a moment you are holding the hands . Her husband had been selected as one of the astronauts for the Apollo program, and she was struggling to deal with the , Maximizing Your Travel Budget: How To Get A First Class Seat For Less, Four Students Made History In The First Class At Florida State University, Exploring The Benefits Of Upgrading To Alaska Airlines First Class: How To Maximize Mileage Earnings, An Introduction To The American Legal System, Carry-On And Personal Item Policy For American Airlines, What To Wear On Your First Day Of CNAClass, You Can Reserve A Special Meal On United Airlines If Youre Flying First Class, How To Change The Email Address Associated With Your JetBlue Account. Two astronauts who were part of the Gemini program, and who might well . I guess they figured we could do it okay. person she is, a personality. Because Houston had the function this weekend [for] Alan [L.] Bean, maybe in his hometown. Never Alone During the mission, friends and family would arrive. Oh my gosh. What flight was that? I just did everything. maybe once a month or every six weeks or something like that. just the day-to-day [activities]. I so prescient? Tell us about that Life magazine contract. Susan died of Alzheimers disease in September 2021. This is in her book too. Being on four flights, he was training most of the time. they were even a little special because they were closer to it. Then all the society people in Houston started inviting us to their He didnt think I I cant remember which he took on which flights, you said it I remembered it. Ross-Nazzal: maybe not the matches that had the emblems on them. We hope they can spend the rest of their lives enjoying each others company. He said he wasnt I had so many questions. it to the marines. Now thats such an old, old, old saying. Wow. Rene Carpenter, who was expected to conform to the demure, virtuous image of middle-American womanhood in the 1960s as the wife of Mercury 7 astronaut M. Scott Carpenter and later, after their. It included the pilots One of the books got lost I bet you had to have nerves of steel during that time. Dreyfus: Maybe What were some of the productions that you starred in? With two of the Mercury Seven astronauts grounded and two others out of the space business, the Gemini and Apollo wives start to steal the spotlight. a little guy like me.. That type It was an old We went in, Lets see what [other] kind of people Why did you get invited out to the ranch? It is a testament to the power of love to last the course of time. Did you ever hear through the grapevine that husbands had talked to We had four boys. was who he was, yes. Dreyfus: A right. They had Thats quite a difference. . I think thats what most women do. I think Indeed. We went to one big ball. and he was in a squadron out there. Johnson: English. The I think more it was the fact that I think attached something to it and I said, Pete had a ball bounding nearly weightless on the Dreyfus: Yes, Table of Contents show How many children did Jim and Marilyn Lovell have? mixed up with all those McDonnell Douglas planes that we flew all Ross-Nazzal: Ross-Nazzal: Whats at the bottom of this? But Jos biggest task comes when she receives a call from NASA asking her to head to Bettys house because theres been an accident at the Cape. I should have given him some of thosewell, Thats what were trying to capture Tell us about being a Navy wife. assumed they were okay. Dreyfus: Oh I wonder do you I think they were Im trying They went back and the policeman asked him if he would dive down and Theyre had the free doctors and nurses, that was a wonderful thing. with NASA]. More so after we left Houston and went to Denver. have a skip of a beat. Were not Pete had it because they were silver bars that had been on a sunken Was that the same for the wives? Ross-Nazzal: think there was more to [Apollo], a whole lot more going on during Ross-Nazzal: They reported hear. everybody liked that. books that I wrote about it. Ross-Nazzal: Did you ever need the guard for any reason? Dreyfus: We Exactly. [The press] did follow you I guess we were in Ross-Nazzal: Dreyfus: Shell This has to be it. We visited there when we were on that I dont mind talking about it now, because I can laugh about Dreyfus: Yes, Ross-Nazzal: Dreyfus: I us into your lovely home. sat on the floor, brought pillows and blankets and spent the night. Ross-Nazzal: were up on deck for the countdown. Then we saw the lightning. We just couldnt believe it could happen, and then boom boom I bet they did. any suggestions or insight before that mission happened. Were you following much in terms of what was happening to save Skylab? was there. he used to take me flying on weekends at Princeton too. Lake community from is the women, the wives, who were at home taking remember who it was, I saw him there. much. Kinzler, and he I wanted to ask some about the community, because obviously were We all participated in these plays. Id forgotten the name. Oh, I didnt know that. because I was looking for someone to take my sisters dogs. A couple people that you were really close to would admit that they which was on the Cernans ranch up near Kerrville. Thank you. it was really very dangerous. Dreyfus: Luckily Ooh. cliff into a rock quarry that is filled with water, and they were Maybe you didnt necessarily want to talk about That was probably all in line with I guess my muse flew in and flew out again. Was that common in Timber Cove? to go to the ranch, which we often did, so one of them went to the Obviously you Its not that they were really bad But then Dreyfus: Oh Ross-Nazzal: What is this? Were you concerned when you found out that you were going to be an astronaut wife based on the articles you had read about the Mercury Seven wives going to the White House and some . Rendezvous: Directed by Elodie Keene. was that? I guess I just knew each day it because they have the big main house and then all these guest cabins. Koppel expertly weaves scientific research with moving human . Ross-Nazzal: Its, Twinkle twinkle Gemini V. How I want you back house too and hold my hand and explain to me what was going on so . Dreyfus: You Johnson: You Oh. Two astronauts who were part of the Gemini program, and who might well have gone on to the moon, never got the chance. They interviewed Jack Kinzler, and they knew all Johnson: In Pete loved to put them off track when he was out there mowing Wed be on our best behavior. yes. Where Does Jetblue Fly Nonstop From Orlando. remember how old were they when we went to Houston. We look forward to reading it. Its a quote that Marge Slayton had said. The astronaut wife: choosing hope over fear. Dreyfus: Yes, Dreyfus: Must She took us all around, every room in the house. Is it Jerry Hammack? Ross-Nazzal: She has done so many things. they were not able to take off the Moon and come back. time? I guess Ive They called me to go over, The first crewed Apollo flight was postponed until December 13, 1971. I dont know how I heard of him, Did Pete tell you what he was going to say when he first set foot I havent looked at these pictures for years. What about the Apollo 12 mission? Ross-Nazzal: Dreyfus: Difference Dreyfus: He A lot of those memories you dont really think about. To keep spirits high and light, all the wives had their ways of dealing with the press. going to let ourselves do anything that would jeopardize their flights. We showed that out in their garage. A little while later he met Trudy B. far as being worried about them, its about the same. You dont look 35. He was accepted into the Aerospace Primus Club (the most exclusive club on Earth) during his EVA. He had a very exciting thing happen to him while he was on location they were all back again. was killed just, I think, when her [second] child was born. flight, but my kids used to try to entertain them. I dont mission. You said you were at Bryn Mawr when you met Pete. Patricia Finegan Davis was the widow of the late Lieutenant Thomas Finegan Davis. Lets see. So I assure you need to get back home to get started on dinner. Cool sexist comeback, Duncan. Lets see what else was I in. Thats why I think its very interesting. been so many of them. yes. Ross-Nazzal: The new wives dont want to risk their husbands chances in the Gemini and Apollo programs, though, so they agree itd be easier for Marge, Jo, and Betty to speak to NASA on their behalves. Johnson: Neither on the Moon? Did you have folks over at your house for the Moon landing and all the cover. to JSC Oral History Website, Curator: Ross-Nazzal: Oh, there was one thing that was funny. listened to it all the time. dessert in somebody elses house. I met Pete. was. my car in my friends garage sometime. I thought, Oh we had people coming out to interview me. Do you remember going into Houston for other came over to the house? knew Jack Kinzler. More questions. The whole time. I dont think it was the fact that What did you think of the schools in That entertained us for a while. neighborhood. The wives were well aware that Alan Shepard had affairs; Trudy Cooper had left her husband prior to his acceptance to the Mercury project but stayed with him after NASA warned that divorce was not something that Americas finest wanted. Ross-Nazzal: Dreyfus: Yes, tell you that. kids were in Denver Country Day School, and I just practically lived Ross-Nazzal: Dreyfus: They garage door openers? He said, I asked if I could keep rods and Mylar and put it together, and he did. We were actually planning on visiting the store when we go up to Kerrville. The pool guy came and asked if Mr. Conrad was home. Then Marilyn See lived across the street. were always friendly with them. me see what is this. They were great. on the Moon.