Splashdown. He was in that mission control room—he had framed photos on the wall of the den of astronauts after they returned, autographed: “Thanks for getting us down.” All the guys in that room got photos..
He also had a DFC for flying in the Pacific theatre, signed up at 18 the week after Pearl Harbor. Went to school on the GI Bill, started a company, left millions to his university for engineering school scholarships for American Citizens only. He was tired of foreign students getting free tuition, then going back to their own countries, particularly Japan, and working for rival companies. We were divorced years before he died, I have no idea whether the uni is still honoring his wishes, but they most assuredly would be if I were there to make sure they did.
Thank you.