Virgil I. Grissom—"Gus" to relatives and friends—was born in Mitchell, Indiana, in 1926, and died in the flames of Apollo 1 at Cape Kennedy, Florida, in 1967. His years were cut short by this tragedy, but they had been filled with spectacular experiences.

As a boy, Gus was too small to take part in athletics, but he was game, ready to try almost anything. In spite of his size, he always was able to keep up with older and larger boys. He was a helpful member of the school safety patrol, an enthusiastic Boy Scout, and a reliable paper boy.

When he was six years old he took his first airplane ride. Even at this early age he was determined to become a flier, and all his boyhood dreams centered on flying. He read about flying, made numerous model airplanes, and eagerly looked forward to the time when he could fly an airplane by himself.

When he finished high school, World War II still was in progress, and he enlisted in the Air Force, hoping to become a pilot. Much to his disappointment, he learned that he couldn't take flight training without a college education. Then he decided that after the war he would secure this necessary preparation.

While Gus was in service, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Moore. After the war, he enrolled in Purdue University for training in engineering, while Betty worked nearby to help pay his expenses. Three and one-half years later, he graduated and re-enlisted in the Air Force.

He took flight training at bases in Texas and Arizona. Before long, he was sent to Korea where he flew a fighter plane in combat missions in the Korean War. Afterwards, he became a flight instructor, and later, a test pilot. Finally, he was selected as one of the seven original astronauts.

Grissom, flying a Mercury capsule, was the second American to enter outer space. Next, he was in command of the first Gemini flight in which he and John Young encircled the earth three times. In 1966, he was chosen to command the first Apollo flight, accompanied by Edward White and Roger Chaffee. Then, during a practice period, all three were killed in a fire in the capsule.

This book is a fascinating story about a small town boy who became a noted pioneer in the exploration of outer space. The author, Carl L. Chappell, is a native of southern Indiana, thoroughly acquainted with the area where Grissom grew to manhood. 

From the dust jacket