Direct Characterization
Eugene Francis Kranz; a retired NASA flight director and manager, director of Mission Control's efforts to save the crew of Apollo 13, and a hero in the eyes of many. He gave the "all clear" for all decisions made in the Apollo 13 crisis, his choice either meaning life or death for the crew aboard. He kept his composure during the most trying of circumstances and he pulled through for the crew in need on the Apollo 13. He was loyal to the crew; he never stopped trying to figure out how to rescue them. He was brave; he never gave into the fear that the crew was doomed. He knew their lives were more important than any mission rules, the only thing important now was getting them home safe and sound.
Eugene Francis Kranz; a retired NASA flight director and manager, director of Mission Control's efforts to save the crew of Apollo 13, and a hero in the eyes of many. He gave the "all clear" for all decisions made in the Apollo 13 crisis, his choice either meaning life or death for the crew aboard. He kept his composure during the most trying of circumstances and he pulled through for the crew in need on the Apollo 13. He was loyal to the crew; he never stopped trying to figure out how to rescue them. He was brave; he never gave into the fear that the crew was doomed. He knew their lives were more important than any mission rules, the only thing important now was getting them home safe and sound.
Indirect characterization Appearance: Gene Kranz's appearance: " He is also noted for his trademark close-cut flattop hairstyle, and the wearing of dapper white "mission" vests (waistcoats), of different styles and materials made by his spouse, Marta Kranz, during missions for which he acted as Flight Director. " [According to Wikipedia, information retrieved 11-1-13 from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Kranz ]
Dialogue: Kranz: " Well Deke, we're gonna work on that.
Slayton:" I'm not sure how much there is to work on. We're going to put the crew to bed, right?"
Kranz: " Eventually, sure."
Slayton: " Eventually may not do it, Gene. Their last scheduled sleep period was 24 hours ago. They're going to need some rest."
Thoughts: "Peters was utterly brilliant," Kranz recalled.
Effects on others:
Peters: After consulting with Kranz and the lead engineer for Grumman Aerospace, the LEM maker, Peters was heartened preliminary calculations.
Slayton, Faget, and Kraft: With the decision made, Kranz turned to his console, and Slayton and Faget turned to leave. Kraft lingered, considering objecting, but then quietly moved off as well. His protege was in control, and he had ruled firmly.
Dialogue: Kranz: " Well Deke, we're gonna work on that.
Slayton:" I'm not sure how much there is to work on. We're going to put the crew to bed, right?"
Kranz: " Eventually, sure."
Slayton: " Eventually may not do it, Gene. Their last scheduled sleep period was 24 hours ago. They're going to need some rest."
Thoughts: "Peters was utterly brilliant," Kranz recalled.
Effects on others:
Peters: After consulting with Kranz and the lead engineer for Grumman Aerospace, the LEM maker, Peters was heartened preliminary calculations.
Slayton, Faget, and Kraft: With the decision made, Kranz turned to his console, and Slayton and Faget turned to leave. Kraft lingered, considering objecting, but then quietly moved off as well. His protege was in control, and he had ruled firmly.
Biography
Eugene Francis Kranz was a great man, a hard worker, and a hero to many.Gene Kranz was born on August 17th, 1933 in Toledo, Ohio and attended Central Catholic High School. He grew up on a farm in Toledo, Ohio then, after graduation from high school, attended St. Louis University parks College for Aviation and Technology and graduated in 1954. He went on to become a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air force reserve after completing pilot training at the Lackland Air Force base, located in Texas, in 1955. After Kranz was sent to Korea to fly the F-86 Sabre to patrol the Korean DMZ (De - Militarized Zone), he came back to America, left the Air Force, and got a job working for the McDonnell Aircraft Corp. where he helped with research and testing concerning Surface to Air and Air to Ground missiles for the U.S Air Force at the research center the Holloman Air Force base in New Mexico. After completing the research testing, Kranz left and joined the NASA space task group. After joining, Kranz was put in charge as a Mission control procedures officer, appointed by the Flight Director, Christopher Kraft. He was promoted to assistant Flight Director for the MA-7 in 1962. He was then further promoted to Flight Director level in 1965 for the Gemini 4 mission. After the Gemini 4 mission Kranz served as Flight Director for some Apollo missions including Apollo 7 and Apollo 9, he was also Flight Director for Apollo 11 when Eagle (Lunar module) landed on the moon on July 20th, 1969. Kranz was Flight Director for the Apollo 13 moon landing mission. This is the mission he is most known for, as a terrible tragedy struck on this mission. The Apollo 13 service module exploded, putting the lives of the crew in jeopardy, and also putting the decisions that could save their lives in Kranz' hands. Kranz' team went into action and put restrictions on the consumption of the spacecrafts consumables, which is the oxygen, electricity, and water. He authorized, and help develop procedures and plans to get the crew of Apollo 13 back to Earth safely. Kranz worked as Flight Director through Apollo 17 and was then promoted to Deputy Director of NASA Mission Operations in 1974 and then becoming Director in 1984. He then retired in 1994. Kranz now lives in Dickinson, Texas with his wife, Marta. They have 6 children and have been married for 58 years.
Accomplishments
Kranz has been awarded with many things.
Presidential medal of Freedom.
Presidential medal of Freedom.
NASA distinguished service medal.
NASA outstanding leadership medal.
NASA exceptional service medal.
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Lawrence Sperry Award, 1967
- Saint Louis University: Alumni Merit Award, 1968; Founders Award, 1993
- NASA Exceptional Service Medal - 1969 and 1970
- Downtown Jaycees of Washington D.C. Arthur S. Fleming Award - One of ten outstanding young men in government service in 1970
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal - 1970, 1982, and 1988
- NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal - 1973, 1993
- NASA SES Meritorious Executive - 1980, 1985 and 1992
- American Astronautical Society: AAS Fellow, 1982; Spaceflight Award 1987
- Robert R. Gilruth Award, 1988, North Galveston County Jaycees
- The National Space Club; Astronautics Engineer of the Year Award, 1992
- Theodore Von Karman Lectureship, 1994
- Recipient of the 1995 History of Aviation Award for the "Safe return of the Apollo 13 Crew," Hawthorne, California
- Honorary Doctor of Engineering Degree from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, 1996
- Louis Bauer Lecturer, Aerospace Medical Association, 2000
- Selected for "2004 and 2006 Gathering of Eagles" honoring Aerospace and Aviation Pioneers at the Air Force Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
- John Glenn Lecture, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, 2005
- Lloyd Nolen, Lifetime Achievement in Aviation Award, 2005
- Wright Brothers Lecture — Wright Patterson AFB, 2006
- NASA Ambassador of Exploration, 2006
- Rotary National Award for Space Achievement's National Space Trophy, 2007