View source for Ed White (astronaut)

{{short description|American astronaut (1930–1967)}}
{{Redirect|Edward Higgins White|the U.S. Air Force general|Edward Higgins White Sr.}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox astronaut
| name = Ed White
| image = Edward White 1966 (4x5 cropped).jpeg
| caption = White in 1966
| birth_name = Edward Higgins White II
| birth_date = {{birth date|1930|11|14}}
| birth_place = [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1967|1|27|1930|11|14}}
| death_place = [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|Cape Kennedy]], Florida, U.S.
| spouse = {{marriage|Patricia Eileen Finegan|1953}}
| children = 2
| restingplace = [[West Point Cemetery]]
| education = [[United States Military Academy]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])<br>[[University of Michigan]] ([[Master of Science|MS]])
| awards = {{ubl |[[Air Force Commendation Medal]]|[[Congressional Space Medal of Honor]] |[[NASA Distinguished Service Medal]] |[[NASA Exceptional Service Medal]]}}
| type = [[NASA astronaut]]
| rank = [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant Colonel]], [[United States Air Force|USAF]]
| time = 4d 1h 56m
| selection = [[NASA Astronaut Group 2|NASA Group 2 (1962)]]
| eva1 = 1
| eva2 = 36m
| mission = [[Gemini 4]]<br>[[Apollo 1]]
| insignia = [[File:Gemini-4-logo.png|45px]] [[File:Apollo 1 patch.png|45px]]
}}
'''Edward Higgins White II''' (November 14, 1930 – January 27, 1967) was an American [[aeronautical engineer]], [[United States Air Force]] [[Officer (armed forces)|officer]], [[test pilot]], and [[NASA astronaut]]. He was a member of the crews of [[Gemini 4]] and [[Apollo 1]].

After graduating from [[United States Military Academy|West Point]] in 1952 with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree, White was sent to flight training, and assigned to the [[22nd Fighter Squadron|22nd Fighter Day Squadron]] at [[Bitburg Airport|Bitburg Air Base]], [[West Germany]], where he flew the [[North American F-86 Sabre|F-86 Sabre]] and [[North American F-100 Super Sabre|F-100 Super Sabre]] fighters. In 1958, he enrolled in the [[University of Michigan]] to study [[Aerospace engineering|aeronautical engineering]], receiving his [[Master of Science]] degree in 1959. White then received [[U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School|test pilot training]] at [[Edwards Air Force Base]], [[California]], before being assigned as a test pilot for the [[Aeronautical Systems Division]] at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]], [[Ohio]].

White was selected as one of the [[NASA Astronaut Group 2|second group of astronauts]], the so-called "Next Nine", who were chosen to take part in the [[Project Gemini|Gemini]] and [[Apollo program|Apollo]] missions. He was assigned as pilot of Gemini 4 alongside command pilot [[James McDivitt]]. On June 3, 1965, White became the first American to [[Extra-vehicular activity|walk in space]]. He was then assigned as senior pilot of the first crewed Apollo mission, Apollo 1. White died on January 27, 1967, alongside astronauts [[Gus Grissom|Virgil "Gus" Grissom]] and [[Roger B. Chaffee]] in a fire during pre-launch testing for Apollo 1 at [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|Cape Canaveral]], [[Florida]]. He was awarded the [[NASA Distinguished Service Medal]] for his flight in Gemini 4 and was then awarded the [[Congressional Space Medal of Honor]] posthumously.

== Early life ==
Edward Higgins White II was born on November 14, 1930, in [[San Antonio|San Antonio, Texas]],<ref name="nasabio" /> the son of [[Edward Higgins White Sr.]] (1901–1978), a [[United States Military Academy|West Point]] graduate (Class of 1924) who later rose to become a [[Major General (United States)|major general]] in the [[United States Air Force]] (USAF),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/105237/major-general-edward-h-white/|title=Major General Edward H. White |work=Air Force |publisher=United States Air Force|access-date=June 26, 2019}}</ref> and Mary Rosina White ({{nee|Haller}}; 1900–1983).<ref name="brother">{{Cite news|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1555375/vietnam-fighter-pilot-finally-comes-home/ |title=Vietnam Fighter Pilot Finally Comes Home|last=Angell|first=Cory|date=June 20, 2018|work=Los Angeles Air Force Base|access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref> He had a younger brother, James Blair White (1942–1969),<ref name="brother" /> and an older sister, Jeanne.{{sfn|Burgess|Doolan|Vis|2003|p=111}} His interest in [[aviation]] was sparked at the age of twelve when his father took him for a ride in a [[North American T-6 Texan]] trainer.<ref name="Mary White">{{Cite web|url=https://history.nasa.gov/Apollo204/zorn/white.htm|title=Detailed Biographies of Apollo I Crew – Ed White|last=White|first=Mary|website=Nasa History|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915192810/https://history.nasa.gov/Apollo204/zorn/white.htm |archive-date=September 15, 2019|access-date=September 15, 2019}}</ref> He became a member of the [[Boy Scouts of America]],<ref name="astro-bsa">{{cite web |url=http://www.scouting.org/Media/FactSheets/02-558.aspx |title=Astronauts and the BSA |work=Fact sheet |publisher=Boy Scouts of America |access-date=March 20, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414205119/http://www.scouting.org/Media/FactSheets/02-558.aspx |archive-date=April 14, 2009 }}</ref> where he earned the rank of [[Second Class (Boy Scouts of America)|Second Class Scout]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.scouting.org/About/FactSheets/scouting_space.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213130/http://www.scouting.org/about/factsheets/scouting_space.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Edward Higgins White at scouting.org|archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref>

Due to the nature of his father's job, White's family moved often to different military bases across the country throughout his childhood. The White family moved from San Antonio, Texas to [[Dayton, Ohio]], where he attended Oakwood Junior High School,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalaviation.org/our-enshrinees/white-ii-edward-higgens/|title=White II, Edward Higgens|website=The National Aviation Hall of Fame|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013000204/http://www.nationalaviation.org/our-enshrinees/white-ii-edward-higgens/|archive-date=October 13, 2017|access-date=January 20, 2020}}</ref> and to [[Washington, D.C.]], where he attended [[Western High School (D.C.)|Western High School]].<ref name="Mary White" /> After graduating in 1948, he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and attend West Point, but his family's peripatetic life presented a problem: an appointment to West Point from a [[United States Congress]]man was required, and the family had not been continuously resident in any one place for very long. White went down to the [[United States Capitol|Capitol]] and knocked on Congressmen's doors seeking an appointment, armed with a glowing reference from his high school principal. He eventually secured one from Congressman [[Ross Rizley]] from [[Oklahoma]].{{sfn|Burgess|Doolan|Vis|2003|p=113}}

White entered West Point on July 15, 1948.{{sfn|Burgess|Doolan|Vis|2003|p=113}} He acquired the nickname "Red" from the color of his hair.{{sfn|Burgess|Doolan|Vis|2003|p=116}} While at West Point, White competed for a spot on the 1952 [[U.S. Olympic team]] in the 400 meter [[hurdles]] race, but missed  qualification in the heat by 0.4 seconds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usatf.org/usatf/files/69/695a8112-b7a0-4b9d-9dbb-8b4bca22677c.pdf|title=The History of United States Olympic Trials – Track and Field|last=Hymans|first=Richard|date=2008|website=USA Track and Field|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517231938/http://www.usatf.org/usatf/files/69/695a8112-b7a0-4b9d-9dbb-8b4bca22677c.pdf|archive-date=May 17, 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=May 17, 2019|quote=1. Moore 52.0, 2. Yoder 52.6, 3. Blackman 52.7, 4. Edward White (USAF) 53.1}}</ref> White was also a half-back on the West Point soccer team. His hobbies included [[Squash (sport)|squash]], [[handball]], [[Human swimming|swimming]], [[golf]], and [[photography]].<ref name="Mary White" /> His classmates included [[Michael Collins (astronaut)|Michael Collins]], who later became an [[astronaut]] as well.{{sfn|Burgess|Doolan|Vis|2003|p=116}}

===Military service===
Upon graduation with a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree from West Point, ranked 128th out of 523 in the Class of 1952, White was commissioned as a [[second lieutenant]] in the Air Force.{{sfn|Burgess|Doolan|Vis|2003|pp=121–122}} Under a 1949 agreement, up to 25{{nbsp}}percent of the graduating classes of West Point and the [[United States Naval Academy]] at [[Annapolis]] could volunteer for the Air Force. Between 1950, when the agreement became effective, and 1959, when the first class graduated from the [[United States Air Force Academy]], about 3,200 West Point cadets and Annapolis midshipmen chose to do so.<ref>{{harvnb|Mitchell|1996|pp=60–61}}</ref> White received his initial pilot training at [[Bartow Municipal Airport|Bartow Air Base]], [[Florida]], and his jet training at [[James Connally Air Force Base]], [[Texas]].{{sfn|Burgess|Doolan|Vis|2003|pp=121–122}} After receiving his [[U.S. Air Force aeronautical rating|pilot wings]] in 1953, White was assigned to [[Luke Air Force Base]], [[Arizona]], for Fighter Gunnery School.{{sfn|Burgess|2013|p=156}} In February 1953, White married Patricia Eileen Finegan (1934–1983), whom he had met at a West Point football game.<ref name="roundup">{{cite news |newspaper=NASA Roundup |volume=1 |issue=24 |date=September 19, 1962 |pages=1, 4–5 |title= MSC Names Nine New Pilot Trainees |url=https://historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov/JSCHistoryPortal/history/roundups/issues/62-09-19.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov/JSCHistoryPortal/history/roundups/issues/62-09-19.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |access-date=May 7, 2019 }}</ref><ref name="cmgww.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.cmgww.com/historic/white/about/biography.html|title=The Official Site of Edward White II|publisher=Cmgww.com|access-date=November 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203010706/http://www.cmgww.com/historic/white/about/biography.html|archive-date=December 3, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> They had two children, Edward Higgins White III (born in 1953) and Bonnie Lynn White (born in 1956).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2018/10/20/when-our-dad-astronaut-ed-white-died-he-showed-that-the-future-belongs-to-the-brave|title=When our dad, astronaut Ed White, died, he showed that the future belongs to the brave|last1=Baer|first1=Bonnie|date=October 20, 2018|newspaper=Dallas News|access-date=May 12, 2019|last2=White III|first2=Ed}}</ref>

[[File:The families of Gemini 4 astronauts in Mission Control in Houston.jpg|thumb|right|The families of Gemini 4 astronauts visit Mission Control in Houston. Right to left: Patricia McDivitt, Bonnie White, Patricia White, [[flight controller]] [[Christopher Kraft]], and Edward White III.]]
White was assigned to the [[22nd Fighter Squadron]] at [[Bitburg Air Base]] in [[West Germany]], where he spent three and a half years flying [[North American F-86 Sabre]] and [[North American F-100 Super Sabre]] fighters. Among his colleagues were [[Buzz Aldrin]], who graduated a year ahead of him at West Point, and [[James Salter]].<ref name="nasabio">{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/white_edward.pdf|title=Astronaut Bio: Edward H. White II|date=December 1997|website=Biographical Data|publisher=NASA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171324/https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/white_edward.pdf|archive-date=September 20, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=June 20, 2021}}</ref><ref name="cmgww.com" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/aldrin_buzz.pdf|title=Astronaut Bio: Buzz Aldrin|date=January 1996|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402074622/http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/aldrin-b.html|archive-date=April 2, 2009|access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Salter |first1=James |title=Burning the Days |date=2007 |isbn=9780330448826 |page=174|publisher=Picador }}</ref> In 1957, White read an article about the astronauts of the future, and decided to become one. He believed that getting an advanced degree would improve his chances of being selected.<ref name="Mary White" /> Aldrin later recalled that White convinced him to follow this path as well.{{sfn|Burgess|Doolan|Vis|2003|p=123}} In September 1958, White enrolled in the [[University of Michigan]] under Air Force sponsorship to study [[aeronautical engineering]]. His classmates included [[James McDivitt]], [[Jim Irwin]] and [[Ted Freeman]].{{sfn|Burgess|Doolan|Vis|2003|p=124}} White was awarded his [[Master of Science]] degree in 1959.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.engin.umich.edu/2017/02/reflecting-on-apollo-1-disaster/|title=Reflecting on Apollo 1 disaster, U-M alum astronaut Ed White|last=Sandberg|first=Ariel|date=February 8, 2017|website=The Michigan News Engineer Center|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516234922/https://news.engin.umich.edu/2017/02/reflecting-on-apollo-1-disaster/|archive-date=May 16, 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=May 16, 2019}}</ref>

After it became clear that being a [[test pilot]] would also improve his chances of being selected to become an astronaut, White attended the [[U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School]] at [[Edwards Air Force Base]], [[California]], with class 59-C, which graduated in July 1959. McDivitt was one of his classmates. White was assigned to the [[Aeronautical Systems Center|Aeronautical Systems Division]] at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]], [[Ohio]]. There, he did flight tests for weapons development, and helped make recommendations for aircraft design on aircraft such as the [[Fairchild C-123 Provider]], [[Convair C-131 Samaritan]], [[Boeing C-135 Stratolifter]], the North American F-100 Super Sabre, [[Convair F-102 Delta Dagger]] and [[Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star]].{{sfn|Burgess|Doolan|Vis|2003|p=124}}  As a weightlessness- and extended-flight-training captain, he piloted the planes that were used to train astronauts in weightlessness. His passengers included [[John Glenn]], the first American to orbit the Earth, and [[Ham (chimpanzee)|Ham]], the first hominid in space.<ref name="Mary White" /> During his career, White would log more than 3,000 flight hours with the Air Force, including about 2,200 hours in [[Jet aircraft|jets]].<ref name="nasabio" />

== NASA career ==
=== Gemini program ===
White was one of eleven pilots whose names the Air Force submitted to NASA in 1962 as potential candidates for [[NASA Astronaut Group 2|the second group of astronauts]].{{sfn|Burgess|2013|pp=10–11}} He was then selected as one of 32 finalists who would undergo medical and psychological examinations at [[Brooks Air Force Base]] in San Antonio.{{sfn|Burgess|2013|pp=32–33}} White arrived at the Aerospace Medical Center at Brooks AFB on July 30, 1962.{{sfn|Burgess|2013|p=38}} He ran around the perimeter of Brooks every day during the testing to keep in shape.{{sfn|Burgess|2013|p=36}}

White was one of nine men chosen by [[NASA]] as part of Astronaut Group 2 in September 1962.<ref name="roundup" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americaspace.com/2012/09/15/the-best-all-around-group-nasas-astronauts-of-62/|title="The Best All-Around Group": NASA's Astronauts of '62|last=Evans|first=Ben|date=September 15, 2012|website=AmericaSpace|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516235646/https://www.americaspace.com/2012/09/15/the-best-all-around-group-nasas-astronauts-of-62/|archive-date=May 16, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=May 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33352619/the_tampa_tribune/|title=Here are the Next Nine Astronauts Who Will Join in U.S. Race to the Moon|newspaper=The Tampa Tribune|location=Tampa, Florida|date=September 18, 1962|page=4|via=Newspapers.com|agency=UPI}}</ref> Their selection was announced at a press conference in Cullen Auditorium at the [[University of Houston]] on September 17, 1962.{{sfn|Burgess|2013|pp=64–66}} Like their predecessors, the [[Mercury Seven]], each of the new astronauts was assigned an area of specialization within the crewed space program: in White's case, flight control systems.{{sfn|Burgess|2013|pp=165–167}}

==== Gemini 4 ====
{{Main|Gemini 4}}
[[File:Gemini 4 McDivitt and White with training plans.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.7|Edward White with [[James McDivitt|Jim McDivitt]] (left) reading training plans for Gemini 4 mission]]
White was selected to be the pilot of Gemini 4, with McDivitt as his command pilot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-H-White-II|title=Edward H. White II|date=January 25, 2019|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515011632/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-H-White-II|archive-date=May 15, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=May 14, 2019}}</ref> The [[Chief of the Astronaut Office]], Mercury Seven astronaut [[Deke Slayton]], paired them because they knew each other well, having attended the University of Michigan and test pilot school together.{{sfn|Slayton|Cassutt|1994|pp=137–138}} The mission objectives were ill-defined at first, but consideration was given to performing [[extravehicular activity]] (EVA), [[space rendezvous]] and [[orbital station-keeping]].{{sfn|Slayton|Cassutt|1994|pp=137–138}}

Knowing that EVA (or spacewalk) was a possibility, McDivitt pressed for it to be included in the mission. As a result, NASA management agreed to ensure that the [[Gemini space suit]] for the mission was capable of being used for EVA. [[Kenneth S. Kleinknecht]] told the July 1964 press conference that announced the mission that one of the crew might open the hatch and stick his head outside, but this attracted little attention. On March 18, 1965, [[cosmonaut]] [[Alexei Leonov]] became the first man to perform an EVA, on the [[Voskhod 2]] mission, but not until May 25 was EVA approved for Gemini 4 by [[List of administrators and deputy administrators of NASA|NASA administrator]] [[James E. Webb]].{{sfn|Hacker|Grimwood|2010|pp=240–242}}

White was a devout [[Methodist]]. On the Gemini 4 mission he carried three pieces of religious jewelry to take with him on his EVA: a gold cross, a [[Saint Christopher#Medals|St. Christopher Medal]] and a [[Star of David]]. White commented: "I felt while I couldn't take one for every religion in the country, I could take the items most familiar to me."{{sfn|Burgess|Doolan|Vis|2003|p=181}}

On June 3, 1965, the Gemini 4 crew was launched into space to begin its four-day mission. After separation from the [[Titan II GLV|Titan II]] upper stage, McDivitt attempted to rendezvous with the booster. However, this was unsuccessful since the astronauts were not adequately trained to rendezvous in orbit. The objective had to be abandoned since the allocated propellant had been used up, and the maneuvers had pushed the spacecraft's orbit too far away from Earth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/g/gemini4.html|title=Gemini 4|last=Wade|first=Mark|website=Encyclopedia Astronautica|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716093046/http://www.astronautix.com/g/gemini4.html|archive-date=July 16, 2019|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19670095754.pdf|title=Gemini/Program Mission Report|date=June 1965|website=NASA Technical Reports Server|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701002525/https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19670095754.pdf|archive-date=July 1, 2019|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref> The mission also included 11 different scientific experiments, including the use of a [[sextant]] for celestial navigation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/feature/gemini-iv-learning-to-walk-in-space|title=Gemini IV: Learning to Walk in Space|last=Granath|first=Bob|date=June 1, 2015|website=NASA|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716000654/https://www.nasa.gov/feature/gemini-iv-learning-to-walk-in-space/|archive-date=July 16, 2019|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref>

After the failed rendezvous attempt, White appeared tired and hot, so the EVA was postponed from the second revolution to the third revolution. At 19:46 UTC, White became the first American to make an EVA.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-043A|title=NASA – NSSDCA – Spacecraft – Details|website=nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov|access-date=May 15, 2019}}</ref> During his spacewalk, White used an oxygen-propelled gun called the [[Hand-Held Maneuvering Unit]] to propel himself. White found the experience so exhilarating that he was reluctant to terminate the EVA at the allotted time, and had to be ordered back into the spacecraft.{{sfn|Barbree|2007|pp=111–112}}

[[File:EdWhiteFirstAmericanSpacewalker.1965.ws.jpg|thumb|White during [[Extra-vehicular activity|EVA]]. During the [[Gemini 4]] mission, he became the first American astronaut to perform a spacewalk]]
While White was outside, a spare thermal glove floated away through the open hatch of the spacecraft, becoming an early piece of [[space debris]] in [[low Earth orbit]], until it burned up upon [[atmospheric entry|re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere]].{{sfn|Barbree|2007|pp=111–112}}<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2009/02/spacestuff/|title=Lost in Space: 8 Weird Pieces of Space Junk|last=Moskowitz|first=Clara|date=February 13, 2019|magazine=Wired|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225171828/https://www.wired.com/2009/02/spacestuff/|archive-date=December 25, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=May 16, 2019}}</ref> There was a mechanical problem with the hatch mechanism, which made it difficult to open and to relatch. McDivitt was able to get the door locked by using his glove to push on the gears that controlled the mechanism. This added to the time constraint of the spacewalk and could have threatened the lives of both men if McDivitt had been unable to get the hatch latched, as they could not re-enter the atmosphere with an unsealed hatch.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/oral_histories/McDivittJA/JAM_6-29-99.pdf|title=Oral History Transcript|last=McDivitt|first=James|interviewer=Doug Ward|date=June 29, 1999|website=National Aeronautics and Space Administration|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622104517/http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/oral_histories/McDivittJA/JAM_6-29-99.pdf|archive-date=June 22, 2011|access-date=January 19, 2020}}</ref>
{{blockquote|I'm coming back in... and it's the saddest moment of my life.|Astronaut Edward H. White while reentering the spacecraft after his EVA|<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/mission_trans/GT04_TEC.PDF |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/mission_trans/GT04_TEC.PDF |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |title= Composite Air-to-ground and Onboard Voice Tape Transcription of the GT-4 Mission (U) |publisher= NASA |date= 31 August 1965 |page= 54}}</ref>}}

When they returned to Earth, the two astronauts found that they were now celebrities. President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] came to [[Houston]] to congratulate them,{{sfn|Hacker|Grimwood|2010|pp=252–253}} and he promoted them to the rank of [[lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Remarks in Houston at the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center |date=June 11, 1965 |publisher= he American Presidency Project |url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-houston-the-nasa-manned-spacecraft-center |access-date=August 27, 2021}}</ref> Later that week they traveled to the [[White House]] where Johnson presented them the [[NASA Exceptional Service Medal]].<ref name="johnson">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32065450/longview_newsjournal/|title=Johnson Honors Space Twins in Washington|newspaper=Longview News-Journal|agency=UPI|date=June 17, 1965|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> They were given a [[ticker tape parade]] in Chicago, and went to the 1965 [[Paris Air Show]], where they met cosmonaut [[Yuri Gagarin]].{{sfn|Hacker|Grimwood|2010|pp=253–254}}

White's next assignment after Gemini 4 was as the backup for [[Gemini 7]] command pilot [[Frank Borman]], with [[Michael Collins (astronaut)|Michael Collins]] assigned as his pilot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/g/gemini7.html|title=Gemini 7|website=Astronautix|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517001010/http://www.astronautix.com/g/gemini7.html|archive-date=May 17, 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=May 16, 2019|quote=The backup crew for the flight, which would last up to 14 days, would be Edward H. White II and Michael Collins.}}</ref>{{sfn|Shayler|2001|p=109}} He was also named the astronaut specialist for the flight control systems of the [[Apollo command module]]. Under the usual procedure of crew rotation in the Gemini program, White would have been in line for a second flight as the command pilot of [[Gemini 10]] in July 1966, which would have made him the first of his group to fly twice.{{sfn|Shayler|2001|p=109}} Instead, he was selected for the Apollo 1 spaceflight.

=== Apollo program ===
{{Main|Apollo 1}}
[[File:Apollo1-Crew 01.jpg|left|thumb|Apollo 1 crew: [[Gus Grissom|Grissom]], White, and [[Roger B. Chaffee|Chaffee]]]]
In March 1966, White was selected as senior pilot (second seat) for the first crewed Apollo flight, designated AS-204. His fellow astronauts would be Command Pilot [[Virgil Grissom|Virgil "Gus" Grissom]], who had flown in space on the [[Mercury-Redstone 4]] mission in 1961 and as commander of the [[Gemini 3]] in 1965, and Pilot [[Roger Chaffee]], who had yet to fly into space.<ref name="nasabio" /> The mission, which the men named ''Apollo 1'' in June, was originally planned for late 1966 to coincide with the last Gemini mission, but the impracticality of making the Gemini capsule and systems compatible with Apollo and delays in the spacecraft development pushed the launch into 1967.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2012/08/before-the-fire/|title=Before the Fire: Saturn-Apollo Applications (1966)|last=Portree|first=David|date=August 25, 2012|magazine=Wired|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517024002/https://www.wired.com/2012/08/before-the-fire/|archive-date=May 17, 2019|access-date=May 16, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/01/50-years-on-apollo-1-safer-future/|title=50 years on, reminders of Apollo 1 beckon a safer future|last=Gebhardt|first=Chris|date=January 26, 2017|website=NASA Spaceflight.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519203729/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/01/50-years-on-apollo-1-safer-future/|archive-date=May 19, 2019|access-date=May 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

The launch of Apollo 1 was planned for February 21, 1967. The crew entered the spacecraft at 13:00 on January 27, mounted atop its [[Saturn IB]] booster on [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 34|Launch Pad 34]] at [[Cape Kennedy]], for a "plugs-out" test of the spacecraft.<ref name="Mary White" /> The test was to demonstrate all of the space vehicle systems and procedures, which included an abbreviated countdown and flight simulation. It was not classified as hazardous since the rocket would not be fueled during the test. The test's progress was delayed by problems with a cabin odor and poor communications between the ground stations and the crew. At 18:31, a fire broke out in the pure oxygen-filled cabin, killing all three crewmen.{{sfn|Orloff|2000|pp=2–8}}{{sfn|Brooks|Grimwood|Swenson|1979|pp=214–217}}

Emergency roles had called for White to actuate the inner hatch release handle; then, Grissom would assist him in the removal of the cover, while Chaffee would maintain communications. White had apparently tried to do his part: his body was found in his center seat, with his arms reaching over his head toward the hatch.{{sfn|Orloff|2000|pp=2–8}} Removing the cover to open the hatch was impossible because the [[plug door]] design required venting normally slightly greater-than-atmospheric pressure and pulling the cover into the cabin.<ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2011/01/0127apollo-1-fire-kills-3-astronauts/|title=Jan. 27, 1967: 3 Astronauts Die in Launchpad Fire|last=Long|first=Tony|date=January 27, 2011|magazine=Wired|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517225344/https://www.wired.com/2011/01/0127apollo-1-fire-kills-3-astronauts/|archive-date=May 17, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=May 17, 2019}}</ref> Grissom was unable to reach the cabin vent control to his left, where the fire's source was located. The intense heat raised the cabin pressure even more, to {{convert|29|psi|kPa}}, at which point the cabin walls ruptured.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/01/26/50-years-ago-three-astronauts-died-in-the-apollo-1-fire/|title='We have a fire in the cockpit!' The Apollo 1 disaster 50 years later.|last=Larimer|first=Sarah|date=January 26, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 14, 2019}}</ref> The astronauts were killed by [[asphyxia]]tion, [[smoke inhalation]], and [[thermal burn]]s.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/topics/apollo/apollo-program/orbital-missions/apollo1.cfm|title=Apollo 1 (AS-204)|website=Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411100402/https://airandspace.si.edu/explore-and-learn/topics/apollo/apollo-program/orbital-missions/apollo1.cfm|archive-date=April 11, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=May 14, 2019}}</ref>

=== Aftermath ===
[[File:Apollo 1 fire.jpg|thumb|Charred remains of the Apollo 1 [[Apollo Command/Service Module|Command Module]], in which White was killed along with Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee]]
The fire's ignition source was determined to be a spark that jumped from a wire on the far left of the spacecraft, under Grissom's seat.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.space.com/17338-apollo-1.html|title=Apollo 1: The Fatal Fire|last=Howell|first=Elizabeth|date=November 16, 2017|website=Space.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417221603/https://www.space.com/17338-apollo-1.html|archive-date=April 17, 2019|url-status=dead|access-date=May 13, 2019}}</ref> Their deaths were attributed to a wide range of lethal hazards in the early Apollo Command Module design: workmanship and conditions of the test, including the highly pressurized 100% oxygen pre-launch atmosphere, many wiring and plumbing flaws, flammable materials used in the cockpit and the astronauts' flight suits, and a hatch which could not be quickly opened in an emergency.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/Apollo204/find.html|title=Findings, Determinations And Recommendations|date=April 5, 1967|work=Report of Apollo 204 Review Board|publisher=NASA|quote=No single ignition source of the fire was conclusively identified.|access-date=March 7, 2011|archive-date=December 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231023149/http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/Apollo204/find.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> After the incident, these problems were fixed, and the Apollo program carried on successfully to reach its objective of landing men on the Moon.{{sfn|Brooks|Grimwood|Swenson|1979|pp=228–232}}

White was buried with full [[military honors]] at [[West Point Cemetery]] while Grissom and Chaffee are both buried in [[Arlington National Cemetery]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usma.edu/history/SiteAssets/SitePages/Cemetery/West%20Point%20Cemetery.pdf|title=West Point Cemetery|publisher=United States Military Academy West Point|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225231003/https://www.usma.edu/history/SiteAssets/SitePages/Cemetery/West%20Point%20Cemetery.pdf|archive-date=February 25, 2014|access-date=January 25, 2018}}</ref> NASA officials attempted to pressure Patricia White, his widow, into allowing her husband also to be buried at Arlington, against what she knew to be his wishes; their efforts were foiled by astronaut [[Frank Borman]].{{sfn|Borman|Serling|1988|p=170}} Patricia received $100,000 from the life insurance portion of the contract the astronauts signed to give two publishing firms exclusive rights to the stories and photographs of the astronauts and their families. She also received $16,250 annually for the life of the contract.<ref>{{cite news|title=Widows Will Get $100,000 From Life Insurance|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/12155840/apollo_1_as204_widows_receive/|date=January 29, 1967|newspaper=[[Bridgeport Sunday Post]]|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=July 5, 2017|page=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812055615/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/12155840/apollo_1_as204_widows_receive/|archive-date=August 12, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Patricia later remarried and continued to reside in Houston. On September 6, 1983, she took her own life after surgery earlier in the year to remove a tumor.<ref>{{cite web |author=UPI |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/09/08/obituaries/widow-of-astronaut-is-dead.html |title=Pat White's obituary in New York Times |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 8, 1983 |access-date=November 28, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/moon-nasa-wives-and-families/ |title=NASA Wives and Families |publisher=Pbs.org |access-date=November 28, 2013}}</ref>

White's younger brother James resolved to follow in his older brother's footsteps. He graduated from the Air Force Academy and became a fighter pilot. He set his sights on becoming a test pilot and then an astronaut. He thought that air combat experience would facilitate this, so he volunteered for service in the [[Vietnam War]]. While flying a combat mission on November 24, 1969, with [[357th Tactical Fighter Squadron]], he was killed when his aircraft crashed. Nearly half a century later his remains were identified, and they were buried adjacent to White's in West Point Cemetery on June 19, 2018.<ref name="brother"/>

== Organizations ==
White was a member of the [[Society of Experimental Test Pilots]];<ref>{{cite web |last= Gron |first= Susan |title= List of Deceased SETP Members |url= https://www.setp.org/about-setp/list-of-deceased-setp-members.html |website= The Society of Experimental Test Pilots |date= August 2, 2022 |access-date= August 23, 2022}}</ref> associate member of [[Institute of Aerospace Sciences]]; [[Tau Beta Pi]] (Engineering Honorary); and Sigma Delta Psi (Athletic Honorary).<ref name="nasabio" />

== Awards and honors ==
* [[Astronaut Badge#U.S. Air Force astronauts|Senior Astronaut Wings]]<ref name="nasabio" />
* [[Commendation Medal|Air Force Commendation Medal]]<ref name="ushof" />
* Golden Plate Award of the [[Academy of Achievement|American Academy of Achievement]], 1965<ref>{{cite web|title= Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement |website=www.achievement.org|publisher=[[American Academy of Achievement]]|url=https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#science-exploration}}</ref>
* Medalha Bandeirantes va Cosmonautica<ref name="nasabio" />
* Firefly Club Award<ref name="nasabio" />
* [[Ten Outstanding Young Americans|Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation]], 1965<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32071387/the_lawton_constitution_and_morning/|title=Two Spacemen, LBJ Press Aide in 1965's 'Elite'|newspaper=The Lawton Constitution And Morning Press|location=Lawton, Oklahoma|date=January 9, 1966|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
* Five Outstanding Young Texans, 1965<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32071188/brownwood_bulletin/|title=House Speaker Among Five Outstanding Young Texans|newspaper=Brownwood Bulletin|location=Brownwood, Texas|date=January 9, 1966|page=1|via=Newspapers.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
* National Aviation Club's Achievement Award, 1966<ref>{{cite web|url=https://naa.aero/awards/awards-and-trophies/henderson-trophy/henderson-trophy-winner-chronology|title=Henderson Trophy Recipient Chronology|access-date=May 30, 2019|publisher=National Aeronautic Association|archive-date=May 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531060954/https://naa.aero/awards/awards-and-trophies/henderson-trophy/henderson-trophy-winner-chronology|url-status=dead}}</ref>

White and McDivitt were presented [[Honorary degree|honorary doctorate]] degrees in astronautical science by the University of Michigan after their Gemini 4 flight.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32064970/the_newspalladium/|title=Four Days to Earn Doctorates|newspaper=The News-Palladium|location=Benton Harbor, Michigan|date=June 16, 1965|page=13|agency=Associated Press|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The duo were also awarded the [[Arnold Air Society]]'s John F. Kennedy Trophy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32071631/republican_and_herald/|title=Gemini 4 Astronauts get JFK Trophy|newspaper=Republican and Herald|location=Pottsville, Pennsylvania|date=April 9, 1966|page=3|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> White received the 1965 General Thomas D. White National Defense Award for his spacewalk. It is a trophy given by the [[National Geographic Society]] to outstanding air force personnel.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.airforcemag.com/PDF/MagazineArchive/Magazine%20Documents/1997/May%201997/0597recs.pdf |title=The Gen. Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy |publisher=USAF |magazine=AIR FORCE Magazine |date=May 1997 |page=156 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306030237/https://www.airforcemag.com/PDF/MagazineArchive/Magazine%20Documents/1997/May%201997/0597recs.pdf |archive-date=March 6, 2022 }}</ref> He was inducted into the Aerospace Primus Club (the "most exclusive club on Earth") for his EVA.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://historical.ha.com/itm/transportation/space-exploration/ed-white-ii-air-force-aerospace-primus-club-plaque-from-his-personal-collection/a/6087-40051.s|title=Ed White II: Air Force Aerospace Primus Club Plaque from His Personal Collection|publisher=Heritage Auctions|access-date=May 29, 2019|archive-date=May 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530044752/https://historical.ha.com/itm/transportation/space-exploration/ed-white-ii-air-force-aerospace-primus-club-plaque-from-his-personal-collection/a/6087-40051.s|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was awarded the AIAA Haley Astronautics Award for 1967.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43546170/beatrice_daily_sun/|title=Haley Astronautics Award to White|newspaper=Beatrice Daily Sun|location=Beatrice, Nebraska|date=February 8, 1967|agency=Associated Press|page=19|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The Apollo 1 crew was awarded the [[NASA Distinguished Service Medal]] posthumously in a 1969 presentation of the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] to the Apollo 11 crew.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/27531557/the_honolulu_advertiser/ |title=Astronauts Awed by the Acclaim |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |location=Honolulu, Hawaii |page=1 |date=August 14, 1969 |last1=Smith |first1=Merriman |agency=UPI |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> President Clinton presented the White and Chaffee families with the [[Congressional Space Medal of Honor]] in 1997 (Grissom's family received the medal in 1978).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/SpaceMed|title=Congressional Space Medal of Honor|publisher=C-SPAN|date=December 17, 1997|access-date=June 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016195856/http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/SpaceMed|archive-date=October 16, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

White, along with nine other Gemini astronauts, was inducted into the [[International Space Hall of Fame]] in 1982.<ref name="nmmuseum">{{cite web|url=http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=69|title=The First American to walk in space|publisher=New Mexico Museum of Space History|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-date=January 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125134834/http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=69|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28841417/albuquerque_journal/|title=Astronauts Laud Gemini as Precursor to Shuttle|last1=Shay|first1=Erin|newspaper=Albuquerque Journal|location=Albuquerque, New Mexico|date=October 3, 1982|page=3|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He was inducted into the [[Astronaut Hall of Fame#Inductees|U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame]] in 1993<ref name="ushof">{{Cite web|title=Edward H. White II &#124; Astronaut Scholarship Foundation|url=https://www.astronautscholarship.org/Astronauts/edward-h-white-ii/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Clark|first1=Amy|date=March 14, 1993|title=Activities Honor Gemini Astronauts|page=41|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/33582881/florida_today/|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and the [[National Aviation Hall of Fame]] on July 18, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=Edward "Ed" Higgens White II |url=https://nationalaviation.org/enshrinee/edward-ed-higgens-white-ii/ |publisher=National Aviation Hall of Fame |access-date=April 18, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418094531/https://nationalaviation.org/enshrinee/edward-ed-higgens-white-ii/ |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |date=2009 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ap-20090720">{{cite news |last1=Hannah |first1=James |title=Ed White, Jimmy Stewart inducted in Aviation Hall |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99967239/ed-white-jimmy-stewart-inducted-in-avia/ |access-date=April 18, 2022 |work=News-Journal |agency=The Associated Press |date=July 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418095205/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99967239/ed-white-jimmy-stewart-inducted-in/ |archive-date=April 18, 2022 |page=4 |url-status=live |via=[[Newspapers.com]] }}</ref>

== Memorials ==
[[File:LC34plaque2.jpg|thumb|One of two Apollo 1 memorial plaques at [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 34]]]]
[[File:Ed White Memorial.jpg|thumb|Ed White III touches his father's name engraved in the [[Space Mirror Memorial]] at the KSC Visitor Complex.]]
[[File:Apollo1plaque.JPG|right|thumb|Launch Complex 34 Plaque]]

=== Schools ===
Many schools have been named in honor of White:
* Edward White Elementary Career Academy in [[Chicago]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39378247/chicago_tribune/|title=Full Staffs Await City's School Bells|last1=Herman|first1=Edith|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|location=Chicago, Illinois|date=September 7, 1971|via=Newspapers.com|page=Section 2 Page 9}}</ref>
* Edward H. White Middle School in White's hometown of [[San Antonio, Texas]]<ref>{{cite web |publisher=North East Independent School District |location=San Antonio, Texas |title=Edward H. White Middle School |url=http://www.neisd.net/white/ |access-date=July 20, 2009}}</ref>
* Edward H. White II Elementary School in [[El Lago, Texas]]<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Clear Creek ISD |title=Ed White Elementary School |url=http://www2.ccisd.net/OurSchools/White.aspx |access-date=July 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811082334/http://www2.ccisd.net/OurSchools/White.aspx |archive-date=August 11, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://sites.google.com/a/staff.ccisd.net/whiteelementary/ |title=Ed H. White Elementary |website=Clear Creek Independent School District |access-date=July 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401114534/https://sites.google.com/a/staff.ccisd.net/whiteelementary/ |archive-date=April 1, 2014 }}</ref>
* Edward White Elementary School in [[Eldridge, Iowa]]<ref>{{cite web |title=North Scott Community School District |url=http://www.north-scott.k12.ia.us/ew/index.html |access-date=August 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927211120/http://www.north-scott.k12.ia.us/ew/index.html |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}</ref>
* Ed White Memorial High School in [[League City, Texas]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Bay Area Charter Schools |url=http://www.bayareacharter.com/ |access-date=July 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712115702/http://bayareacharter.com/ |archive-date=July 12, 2009 }}</ref>
* [[Edward H. White High School]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39377998/the_tampa_tribune/|title=Band from School Named for Son Surprises White|date=April 7, 1972|newspaper=The Tampa Tribune|location=Tampa, Florida|last1=Allen|first1=Rick|page=4|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
* Edward H. White Elementary School in Houston, Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonisd.org/Page/57521|title=History of Ed White|publisher=Ed White Elementary|access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Ed White Middle School (Alabama)|Ed White Middle School]] in [[Huntsville, Alabama]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hsv.k12.al.us/schools/middle/ewms/index_new.html |title=Ed White Middle School |publisher=Huntsville (Ala.) City Schools official site |access-date=June 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818235157/http://www.hsv.k12.al.us/schools/middle/ewms/index_new.html |archive-date=August 18, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Huntsville is home to NASA's [[Marshall Space Flight Center]] and has strong community ties to the space program. At the same time, the [[Huntsville City Schools]] named Roger B. Chaffee Elementary School and [[Virgil I. Grissom High School]] for White's fallen [[Apollo 1]] crewmates.<ref name="ms4">{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Jaques |work=Marshall Star |title=First spacewalk by American astronaut 37 years ago |publisher=NASA Marshall Space Flight Center |url=http://marshallstar.msfc.nasa.gov/6-6-02.pdf |date=June 6, 2002 |page=5 |access-date=June 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711183941/http://marshallstar.msfc.nasa.gov/6-6-02.pdf |archive-date=July 11, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Edward H. White Memorial Youth Center, [[Seabrook, Texas]]<ref>{{cite web |access-date=July 11, 2008 |url=http://stall.net/ewmyc/ |title=Ed White Memorial Youth Center |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080212210441/http://stall.net/ewmyc/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = February 12, 2008}}</ref>

=== Other sites ===
* Edward White Hospital in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]] (closed in 2014).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hcawestflorida.com/campaigns/edward-white-hospital|title=Hospital Closure|publisher=HCA West Florida|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-date=January 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126012534/https://hcawestflorida.com/campaigns/edward-white-hospital|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Edward H. White II Park in [[Fullerton, California]]. Fullerton has also named parks in honor of Chaffee and Grissom.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cityoffullerton.com/gov/departments/parks_n_recreation/find_a_park/list_of_parks.asp |title=City of Fullerton – List of Parks |publisher=Ci.fullerton.ca.us |access-date=November 28, 2013 |archive-date=March 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326163708/http://www.cityoffullerton.com/gov/departments/parks_n_recreation/find_a_park/list_of_parks.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Island White, an [[artificial island]] in [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach Harbor]] off [[Southern California]].<ref>{{GNIS|1667935|Island White}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.longbeach.gov/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=17682 |title=pdf of City of Long Beach Economic Zones |access-date=November 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713031654/http://www.longbeach.gov/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=17682 |archive-date=July 13, 2010 }}</ref>
* Edward H. White Hall was a dormitory at [[Sheppard Air Force Base]] in [[Wichita Falls, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sheppard.af.mil/Portals/65/Documents/Sheppard%20History.pdf?ver=2015-12-22-155506-457|title=A Brief History of the 82d Training Wing and Sheppard AFB|access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref>
* McDivitt-White Plaza is located outside West Hall at the University of Michigan. West Hall formerly housed the College of Engineering and counts James McDivitt and Ed White among its alumni (McDivitt earned his B.S. and White earned his M.S. at the University of Michigan).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.annarbor.com/neighborhoods/um-campus/our-neighborhoods-south-u-as-seen-from-mcdivitt-white-plaza/|title=Our neighborhoods: South University as seen from McDivitt-White Plaza|last1=Vielmetti|first1=Edward|date=May 25, 2010|access-date=January 24, 2018|publisher=The Ann Arbor News}}</ref>
* The dismantled [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 34|Launch Pad 34]] at [[Cape Canaveral]] bears two memorial plaques. One reads, "They gave their lives in service to their country in the ongoing exploration of humankind's final frontier. Remember them not for how they died but for those ideals for which they lived." and the other "In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice so others could reach for the stars. Ad astra per aspera, (a rough road leads to the stars). God speed to the crew of Apollo 1."<ref name="cmgww.com" />
* Edward H. White II American Legion Post 521; [[Pasadena, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanlegionpost521.org/index.php?id=2|title=Post History|publisher=American Legion Post 521|access-date=January 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831052232/http://www.americanlegionpost521.org/index.php?id=2|archive-date=August 31, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Edward White Park in Garland, Texas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/White,+Edward/@32.8470856,-96.6365619,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x3edefb2deb75373c!8m2!3d32.8470856!4d-96.6365619?shorturl=1|title=Google Maps|website=Google Maps|language=en|access-date=July 22, 2019}}</ref>
* Edward White Way in [[Oakland, California]], a service road which runs along the Southern edge of [[Oakland International Airport]]. The airport has multiple roads named after NASA astronauts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/Edward+White+Way,+Oakland,+CA+94621/@37.7123282,-122.210118,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x808f8511d7dcb00b:0x8f4a6dde3523058a!8m2!3d37.712324!4d-122.2079293|title=Google Maps|access-date=January 8, 2022}}</ref>
* Edward H. White II Memorial Hangar, the formal dedication of [[Hangar 9, Brooks Air Force Base|Hangar 9]] in [[Brooks City-Base]] in San Antonio

=== In space ===
[[File:Voyager golden record 112 astronaut.gif|thumb|[[Voyager Golden Record]] 112 astronaut]]
* The star [[Iota Ursae Majoris]] was nicknamed "Dnoces" ("Second", as in "Edward Higgins White the Second", spelled backwards).<ref name=apollo15>{{cite web| title=Apollo 15 Lunar Surface Journal | url=https://history.nasa.gov/alsj/a15/a15.postland.html | publisher=[[NASA]]|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref>
* White Hill, 11.2&nbsp;km (7.0&nbsp;mi) northwest of Columbia Memorial Station on [[Mars]], is a part of the [[Apollo 1 Hills]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/newsroom/pressreleases/20040127b.html|title=Martian Landmarks Dedicated to Apollo 1 Crew|date=January 27, 2004|access-date=January 23, 2018|publisher=NASA}}</ref>
* A photograph of White performing his Gemini 4 space walk is included as one of several images on the [[Voyager Golden Record]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4190807/voyager-golden-record-photos/|title=Here's What Humanity Wanted Aliens to Know About Us in 1977|magazine=Time|date=January 22, 2016|access-date=January 23, 2018}}</ref>

=== Philatelic ===
[[File:US Space Walk 1967 Issue-5c.jpg|thumb|{{center|[[U.S. Space Exploration History on U.S. Stamps|Accomplishments in Space Commemorative Issue of 1967]]}}]]
* Eight months after his death, in September 1967, a [[postage stamp]] was issued by the [[United States Post Office]], commemorating White's spacewalk.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Sky Image Lab |title=Gemini Space Walk |url=http://www.skyimagelab.com/gemspacwal.html |access-date=July 20, 2009 |archive-date=January 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117114746/http://www.skyimagelab.com/gemspacwal.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was the first time in USPO history that the design was actually spread over ''two'' stamps (one which featured White, the other his Gemini capsule, the two connected by a tether), which was considered befitting the "twins" aspect of the Gemini mission.<ref name="ms4" />

=== Omega Speedmaster "Ed White" ===
The [[Omega Speedmaster]] wristwatch reference 105.003 has come to be known as the "Ed White" as this reference was worn by White during his spacewalk. The Speedmaster remains the only watch qualified by NASA for EVA use.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/just-because-an-omega-speedmaster-reference-105003-ed-white|title=An Omega Speedmaster Reference 105.003 "Ed White" Circa 1965|date=June 27, 2011|work=Hondinkee|access-date=September 14, 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914224649/https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/just-because-an-omega-speedmaster-reference-105003-ed-white|archive-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref>

== In media ==
White was played by Steven Ruge in the 1995 film ''[[Apollo 13 (film)|Apollo 13]]'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Apollo 13 – Full Cast & Crew  |publisher= TV Guide |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/apollo-13/cast/2000277872/ |access-date=September 26, 2021}}</ref> by [[Chris Isaak]] in the 1998 [[HBO]] [[miniseries]] ''[[From the Earth to the Moon (miniseries)|From the Earth to the Moon]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/03/movies/television-review-boyish-eyes-on-the-moon.html|title=Television Review; Boyish Eyes on the Moon|work=The New York Times|date=April 3, 1998|access-date=August 5, 2018|last1=James|first1=Caryn}}</ref> and by [[Matt Lanter]] in the 2015 ABC TV series ''[[The Astronaut Wives Club]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/90210s-matt-lanter-signs-on-for-abcs-astronaut-wives-club-exclusive/|title='90210's' Matt Lanter Signs On for ABC's 'Astronaut Wives Club' (Exclusive)|website=The Wrap|access-date=May 30, 2019|last1=Nededog|first1=Jethro|date=November 25, 2014}}</ref> In 2018, he was portrayed by [[Jason Clarke]] in ''[[First Man (film)|First Man]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/first-man-star-jason-clarke-dismisses-flag-criticism-nonsense-1139226|title='First Man' Star Jason Clarke Dismisses Flag Criticism: "It's Nonsense"|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 1, 2018|last1=Richford|first1=Rhonda|access-date=May 30, 2019}}</ref> White's voice during the flight is used in the British band [[Lemon Jelly]]'s 2003 song Space Walk.

== See also ==
* ''[[Fallen Astronaut]]''
* [[List of spaceflight-related accidents and incidents]]
{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

== References ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Barbree |first=Jay |author-link=Jay Barbree |title=Live from Cape Canaveral |location=New York |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-06-123392-0 |oclc=921943374 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Borman |first1=Frank |last2=Serling |first2=Robert J. |author-link2=Robert J. Serling |title=Countdown: An Autobiography |location=New York |publisher=Silver Arrow |date=1988 |isbn=0-688-07929-6 |oclc=17983615 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/countdownautobio0000borm }}
* {{cite book |last1=Brooks |first1=Courtney G. |last2=Grimwood |first2=James M. |last3=Swenson |first3=Loyd S. Jr. |title=Chariots for Apollo: A History of Manned Lunar Spacecraft |series=The NASA History Series |id=NASA SP-4205 |date=1979 |publisher=NASA |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-0-486-46756-6 |oclc=4664449 |url=http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4205/cover.html |access-date=April 1, 2019 |archive-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020095653/http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4205/cover.html |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite book |last1=Burgess |first1=Colin  |author-link1=Colin Burgess (author) |last2=Doolan|first2=Kate |last3=Vis |first3=Bert |year=2003 |title=Fallen Astronauts: Heroes Who Died Reaching for the Moon |location=Lincoln, Nebraska |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |isbn=0-8032-6212-4 |oclc=804741672}}
* {{cite book |last1=Burgess |first1=Colin  |author-link1=Colin Burgess (author) |title=Moon Bound: Choosing and Preparing NASA's Lunar Astronauts |publisher=Springer  |year=2013 |isbn=978-1-4614-3855-7 |oclc=981000836 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Hacker |first1=Barton C. |last2=Grimwood |first2=James M. |title=On the Shoulders of Titans: A History of Project Gemini |series=NASA History Series |id=NASA SP-4203 |year=2010 |orig-year=1977 |publisher=NASA History Division, Office of Policy and Plans |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-0-16-067157-9 |oclc=945144787 |url=http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4203.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4203.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |access-date=April 8, 2018 }}
* {{cite book |last=Mitchell |first=Vance O. |title=Air Force Officers: Personnel Policy Development, 1944–1974 |location=Ft. Belvoir, MD |publisher=Defense Technical Information Center |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-16-048862-7 |oclc=64436347 |url=https://archive.org/details/AirForceOfficers |access-date=November 17, 2018 |url-access=registration }}
* {{cite book |last=Orloff |first=Richard W. |title=Apollo by the Numbers: A Statistical Reference |url=https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4029/SP-4029.htm |access-date=June 12, 2013 |series=NASA History Series |year=2000 |publisher=NASA History Division, Office of Policy and Plans |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-0-16-050631-4 |lccn=00061677 |id=NASA SP-4029 |oclc=829406439 }}
* {{cite book |last=Shayler |first=David |title=Gemini Steps to the Moon |location=London |publisher=Springer |year=2001 |isbn=978-1-85233-405-5 |oclc=248213555 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Slayton |first1=Donald K. |author-link1=Deke Slayton |first2=Michael |last2=Cassutt |author-link2=Michael Cassutt |title=Deke! U.S. Manned Space: From Mercury to the Shuttle |publisher=Forge (St. Martin's Press) |location=New York |year=1994 |edition=1st |isbn=978-0-312-85503-1 |oclc=29845663 }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Edward Higgins White}}
{{Wikiquote|Edward Higgins White}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150923204934/http://www.cmgww.com/historic/white/index.php Official website of Edward White II]
* {{IMDb name|0972652}}

{{Congressional Space Medal of Honor}}
{{NASA Astronaut Group 2|state=autocollapse}}
{{Gemini program}}
{{U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame}}
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