Personal Information
    Gerald P. Carr is a former astronaut. He was born in Denver, Colorado, on August 22,1932. He grew up in Santa Ana, which he considers his hometown.

Education
    Carr graduated from Santa Ana High School.  He went to the University of Southern California where he received a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1954.  Next, he went to the U.S Navel Postgraduate School where he received a Bachelor of Science Aeronautic Engineering 1961.  Then, he received a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Princeton University in 1962. In 1976, he was given an Honorary Doctorate of Science, Aeronautical Engineering, from Parks College of Saint Lois University, Cahokia, Illinois.

Experience
    Carr was informed of NASA of his selection for astronaut training.  He was appointed to test directors’ section of Marine Air Control Three.  This unit was responsible for the testing and evaluation.

     In April 1966, NASA selected 19 astronauts.  Colonel Carr was among them. He was a member of the astronaut support crews and as CAPCOM for the Apollo 8 and 12 flights. He also was involved in the development and testing of the lunar roving vehicle.  This vehicle was used on the moon’s surface.

    Carr was commander of Skylab 4, which launched November 19, 1973.  The mission concluded February 8, 1974. This was one of the longest manned flights in the history of manned space exploration.  It lasted 84 days 1 hour 15 minutes.  Carr and the rest of the crew completed 56 experiments, 26 science demonstrations, 15 subsystem-detailed objectives, and 13 student investigations during their 1,214 revolutions of the earth.

    In mid-1977, Carr was placed head of the design support group, responsible for giving crew support to space transportation system design, simulations, testing, and safety assessment, and for development of man/machine interface requirement.

     Gerald P. Carr is now retired from NASA.  During his career, he logged more than 8,000 flying hours.   

Honors

• The National Defense Service Medal

• The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

• Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal

• Letter of Commendation from the Commander of Carrier Mission II

• He received the NASA Group Achievement Award, 1971

• NASA Distinguished Service Medal, 1974

• Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the Navy Astronaut Wings 1974

• City of Chicago Gold Medal, 1974

• University of Southern California Alumni Merit Award, 1974

• Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, 1974

• Robert J. Collier Trophy in 1974

• City of New York Gold  Medal, 1974

• Marine Corps Aviation Association Exceptional Achievement Award 1974

• Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial  Trophy, 1975

• Federation Aeronautique International's Gold Space Medal

• De La Vaulx Medal, and V.M. Kamarove Diploma for 1974

• Inducted in the Astronaut Hall of Fame, 1997.

• AIAA Haley Astronautics Award for 1974

• American Astronautical Society’s 1975 Flight Achievement Award