Dominic L. Pudwill Gorie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Dominic Lee Pudwill Gorie | |
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| NASA Astronaut | |
| Nationality | American |
| Status | Active |
| Born | May 2, 1957 Lake Charles, Louisiana |
| Other occupation | Engineer |
| Rank | Captain, USN |
| Space time | 49d 00h 06m |
| Selection | 1994 NASA Group |
| Missions | STS-91, STS-99, STS-108, STS-123 |
| Mission insignia |
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Dominic Lee Pudwill Gorie (born 2 May 1957) is an American Naval officer and a NASA astronaut. He is a veteran of four space shuttle missions.
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[edit] Personal
Gorie was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana. His father, Capt. Paul Pudwill, was killed when he was six years old when the B-47 Stratojet he was flying developed ice on its wings and crashed.[1] He enrolled in the United States Naval Academy where he studied ocean engineering. Following graduation in 1979, he trained as a pilot and served tours of duty aboard the carriers USS America and Coral Sea. In 1987, he trained as a test pilot and worked at the Naval Air Test Center until the Gulf War, where, stationed aboard the Theodore Roosevelt, he flew combat missions in Operation Desert Storm.
[edit] Education
Graduated from Miami Palmetto High School in Pinecrest, Florida, in 1975. Bachelor of Science degree in ocean engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1979. Master of science degree in aviation systems from the University of Tennessee in 1990.
[edit] Awards and honors
Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross (2) one with Combat “V”, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (2), NASA Space Flight Medal (3), Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” (2).
[edit] Military career
Designated a Naval Aviator in 1981. Flew the A-7E Corsair with Attack Squadron 46 aboard the USS America from 1981 to 1983. Transitioned to Strike Fighter Squadron 132 in 1983, flying the F/A-18 Hornet aboard the USS Coral Sea until 1986. Attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1987 and served as a Test Pilot at the Naval Air Test Center from 1988 to 1990. Then was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 87 flying the F/A-18 aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt until 1992. Participated in Operation Desert Storm, flying 38 combat missions. In 1992 received orders to U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs for two years before reporting to Strike Fighter Squadron 106 for F/A-18 refresher training. Was enroute to his command tour of Strike Fighter Squadron 37 when selected as an Astronaut Candidate.
Gorie accumulated over 6000 hours in more than 35 aircraft and has over 600 carrier landings.[2]
Gorie retired from the U.S. Navy in September 2005.
[edit] NASA career
In 1994, Gorie was selected as an astronaut candidate. He first flew as the pilot of mission STS-91 in 1998 and again as pilot on mission STS-99 in 2000. In 2001, Gorie was commander of mission STS-108, a visit to the International Space Station. Gorie has just completed his 4th mission aboard a shuttle with STS 123. Gorie safely guided the shuttle Endeavour to a safe landing on March 26th 2008.
