Frank Borman, the esteemed commander of Apollo 8, the first mission to fly around the Moon, has passed away. He was 95. Borman’s death was announced by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in a statement, who said he died peacefully at his home in Billings, Montana, on November 7, 2023.

Borman, a retired Air Force Colonel, was celebrated for his pivotal role in the American space race. His command of the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968 marked a significant milestone in space exploration, setting the stage for the United States to land astronauts on the Moon.

Born in Gary, Indiana, in 1928, Borman became an astronaut in 1962. He first flew into space as commander of Gemini 7 in 1965. But it was the historic Apollo 8 mission that etched his name in the annals of history.

Along with astronauts James Lovell and William Anders, Borman executed the first manned voyage to the Moon, orbiting it ten times before returning to Earth.

Beyond his space endeavors, Borman was an aerospace executive and served as a special ambassador for Eastern Airlines. In his later years, he was a devoted advocate for space education and exploration.

Borman’s contributions to space and aviation have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

He is survived by his two sons, Frederick and Edwin, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of explorers who look up at the Moon and beyond.