Alan Shepard is best remembered as America's first man in space. He was born in 1923 in East Derry, New Hampshire. After graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1944, Shepard served on a destroyer in the Pacific. Following World War II, he entered flight training and received his pilot's wings. Shepard also attended the Navy Test Pilot School.

Shepard was named one of the original Mercury astronauts.   On May 5, 1961, Shepard became the first American in space.  His tiny Mercury capsule, Freedom 7, was launched by a Redstone booster rocket.  His flight lasted for 15 minutes. Following the flight, he was grounded for several years due to a medical problem. In 1969, he was available again for astronaut duty. In February, 1971, Shepard became the fifth man on the Moon.  He is often remembered for hitting two golf balls during his moonwalk.

Alan Shepard died on July 21, 1998.  He is admired as an American space pioneer.

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