June 23

Bill King commanded British submarines during World War II, earning several distinctions for his daring patrols. After the war, he embraced single-handed ocean sailing, participating in international yacht races and setting new records. King authored acclaimed memoirs recounting both his naval service and solo voyages, blending meticulous detail with adventurous storytelling. His innovative navigation techniques and unrelenting spirit inspired the modern solo sailing community. King’s life bridged military valor and maritime exploration.

Donn F. Eisele was a colonel in the United States Air Force and NASA astronaut, born in 1930. He was selected as part of NASA's second group of astronauts in 1963. Eisele served as the Command Module Pilot on Apollo 7 in 1968, the first crewed mission of the Apollo program to test spacecraft systems in Earth orbit. The mission successfully demonstrated life support, control systems, and docking procedures, paving the way for lunar landings. Before joining NASA, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and flew combat missions in the Korean War. After retiring from NASA and active duty, Eisele worked in the aerospace industry and consulted on space exploration initiatives. He logged over 10 days in space and authored papers on astronaut training. Eisele passed away in 1987, remembered for his role in one of NASA's most critical early missions.