"Robert-Henry-Lawrence-Jr.

Was the first African American selected to be selected to be an astronaut.He was also a test pilot and senior United States Air Force pilot with over 2,500 flight hours.


Born in Chicago,Illinois,he graduated from Englewood High School in Chicago in the top 10 percent of his class.In 1956 Lawrence graduated from Bradley University in with a B.A. in Chemistry.While in college he enlisted in the Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) and distinguished himself,receiving the commission of Second Lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve Program.


In 1956 Robert completed flight training at Malden Air Air Force and was designated a U.S. Air Force Pilot.Over the next decade Robert accured over 2,500 hours of flight  with 2,000 of those hours in jets.By age 25,he completed an Air Force assignment as an instructor pilot for German Air Force Trainees.


The Air Force later assigned  Robert to flight the the recently developed  Lockheed F-104 Starfighter.Robert investigated glide flight characteristics necessary for the design of unpowered spacecraft returning to Earth from orbit.NASA cited Robert for his accomplishments including the crucial flight man maneuver data that in the agency's words,"contributed greatly to the development for the "Space Shuttle."While still in the Air Force,Robert earned a Ph.D in Chemistry from Ohio State University in 1965.


In June of  1967 he was selected as an astronaut in the Manned Orbital Laboratory,making him the first African American astronaut selected for space travel.The Manned Orbital Laboratory was a precursor to the shuttle program.


Just six months later,in December 1967,Robert was the backseat passenger flying as in instructor to a student pilot learning the steep descent glide technique.The pilot flying the F-104 made an approach to land but flared to late causing the jet to crash.The pilot  of the plane ejected successfully,by the time Robert ejected the plane had rolled onto its side and was on fire.Robert was killed instantly,leaving his wife Barbara and son Tracey.The Purple Heart was posthumously awarded to him.


Had Robert lived  he likely would have been among the MOL astronauts who transferred to NASA after the program's cancelation,all of whom flew on the Space Shuttle.During his brief career,Robert earned the Air Force Commendation Medal,the Outstanding Unit Citation.On December 8,1967,his name was inscribed on the Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.