Albert H. Crews

Albert Hanlin Crews Jr. (March 23, 1929 – June 7, 2025) was an American chemical and aeronautical engineer and a U.S. Air Force astronaut.

Early life and education

Crews was born in El Dorado, Arkansas on March 23, 1929. He graduated in 1950 from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (then named Southwestern Louisiana Institute) with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. He earned a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology in 1959.

Test pilot

Template:Quote box As a USAF Test Pilot School graduate, he was selected as a military astronaut designee in the second group of X-20 Dyna-Soar astronauts on April 20, 1962, and assigned as a Dyna-Soar pilot on September 20, 1962. The Dyna-Soar program was cancelled in 1963. On November 12, 1965, he was selected as an astronaut in the first group for the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program. He transferred to NASA Flight Crew Directorate at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, in June 1969 when the MOL program was cancelled. He remained a pilot for NASA, flying such aircraft as the "Super Guppy" outsize cargo transport, the WB-57F atmospheric research aircraft and the OV-095 SAIL Space Shuttle simulator until he retired at age 65.

File:AlCrewsByPhilKonstantin.jpg

Al Crews, 2009 in San Diego

Personal life and death

Crews was married, with three children from his previous marriage. He died on June 7, 2025, at the age of 96.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Albert Hanlin Crews Jr., Buckeye High Graduate A Proud Moment at NRBIA: Celebrating Louisiana’s First Astronaut One of the most inspiring moments from today’s NRBIA meeting was a heartfelt tribute to a true local legend. The Louisiana Legislature, by Official Commendation, posthumously honored Albert Hanlin Crews Jr. of Holloway—a proud 1946 graduate of Buckeye High School—for his exceptional service to our nation and his pioneering role as Louisiana’s first astronaut. Mr. Crews lived a life of quiet greatness. After Buckeye, he served as a jet and test pilot in the U.S. Air Force, earned a degree in chemical engineering, and was selected for the Air Force’s Dyna-Soar space program before joining NASA. His contributions helped lay the foundation for the Apollo missions, the Space Shuttle, and even the International Space Station. He later flew humanitarian missions through Angel Flights, transporting patients in need of critical care. Despite his incredible accomplishments, Albert never lost touch with his Holloway roots. He returned home often, offered classmates their first flights, and remained devoted to the Buckeye community that raised him. Accepting the commendation on his behalf were his sister, Jana Varnado Smith, and cousins Pete Abington and Rebecca Crews Gruener. We are forever proud that Rapides Parish helped launch a man who helped launch America’s space program. His story is now etched in the official record of our state—and in the hearts of all who call this community home. Official Commendation read as follows…. AN EXPRESSION OF COMMENDATION WHEREAS, it is most fitting to recognize the inspiring life of Albert Hanlin Crews, Jr., Louisiana's first astronaut, and to posthumously commend him for his achievements; and WHEREAS, Albert Hanlin Crews, Jr., was born on March 23, 1929, in El Dorado, Arkansas, and grew up at his family home in the Holloway community in Louisiana; he attended Buckeye High School in Rapides Parish and graduated in 1946; and WHEREAS, after high school, Albert enrolled at Southwestern Louisiana Institute and completed a degree in chemical engineering; he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as a jet pilot, test pilot, experimental test pilot, and pilot instructor; in addition to logging thousands of hours of flight time, he completed a master of science degree in aeronautical engineering and developed an interest in the study of space; and WHEREAS, Albert was among the first to apply to become an astronaut following the announcement of the U.S. Air Force's space program; after enduring a rigorous screening process, he was selected in 1962 to enter the Dynastar program, which had similar objectives to those of the later space shuttle programs; and WHEREAS, after the Dynasoar program ended, Mr. Crews joined the Manned Orbital Laboratory (MOL) program as the replacement for Neil Armstrong, who was transferring to NASA; the MOL program had a public mission as well as covert objectives involving national security, and entry into the program involved selection rather than application; after the program ended, the data it generated was applied to the program that developed the International Space Station and remains in use today; and WHEREAS, while participating in the MOL program, Mr. Crews was a member of the team that was approved for flight into space, and it was expected that he would serve as the crew's flight captain; unfortunately, the program was phased out, and when the next manned space project began preparations, he no longer met the age requirements to begin years-long training for space flight; and WHEREAS, after the MOL program was phased out, Mr. Crews transitioned to a role with the astronaut directorate at NASA; in this role, he was able to help integrate the data from the Dynasoar and MOL programs into other programs being developed at NASA, including the Apollo program that sent the first astronauts to the moon and the space shuttle and international space station programs; and WHEREAS, Mr. Crews was a member of the select group of experts who determined the final design of the space shuttle; he also continued to fly missions for NASA and volunteered for the Angel Flight program that transported critically-ill patients to and from life-saving treatment; after retiring, he lived in an area of Florida that was near NASA operations; and WHEREAS, despite the celebrity status of becoming an astronaut, Mr. Crews remained grounded and unassumingly modest; he stayed connected to the Holloway and Buckeye communities, making time to visit his parents and friends each time he returned home; he frequently kept in touch with his former classmates, flying in to join them during reunions, and arranged special tours for them at NASA; he also piloted small aircraft flights for his classmates and took many of them on their first-ever flights; and WHEREAS, although Albert Hanlin Crews, Jr., was a man who possessed the knowledge, ability, and willpower to explore the horizons of humanity's potential, he remained deeply connected to his roots and heritage; he died in June 2025 at the age of ninety-six, but he leaves behind a legacy as one of the foundational contributors to the expansion of humanity's ability to study beyond our atmosphere; although he will be deeply missed, the memory of his incredible life shall live on in perpetuity in the hearts and minds of those who were privileged to have known and loved him and those who learn of his inspiring life. THEREFORE, I, Michael T. Johnson, do hereby posthumously commend Albert Hanlin Crews, Jr., Louisiana's first astronaut, for his achievements; do hereby further recognizes his role in establishing Rapides Parish firmly on the space map, which remains a matter of immense pride for the local community; do hereby express profound gratitude for his enduring dedication to the Holloway and Buckeye communities; and do hereby extend sincerest wishes that his family, friends, and loved ones find immense pride in the legacy of his incredible work. Michael T. Johnson Speaker Pro Tempore July 24, 2025

References

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External links

• Astronautix biography of Albert H. Crews Jr.
• Spacefacts biography of Albert H. Crews Jr.
• Lost space dreams: How Al Crews missed out on becoming an astronaut - twice