View source for Dick Scobee

{{short description|American astronaut (1939–1986)}}
{{Redirect|Richard Scobee|his son|Richard W. Scobee}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox astronaut
|image         = Scobee-fr.jpg
|caption       = Scobee in 1984
|birth_name    = Francis Richard Scobee
|birth_date    = {{birth date|1939|5|19}}
|birth_place   = [[Cle Elum, Washington]], U.S.
|death_date    = {{death date and age|1986|1|28|1939|5|19}}
|death_place   = North Atlantic Ocean
|death_cause   = [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'' disaster]]
|restingplace  = [[Arlington National Cemetery]]
|education     = [[University of Arizona]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])
|awards        = {{ubl|[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]|[[Congressional Space Medal of Honor]]}}
|type          = [[NASA astronaut]]
|rank          = [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|Lieutenant colonel]], [[United States Air Force|USAF]]
|time          = 6d 23h 40m
|selection     = [[NASA Astronaut Group 8|NASA Group 8 (1978)]]
|mission       = {{ubl|[[STS-41-C]]|[[STS-51-L]]}}
|insignia      = [[File:STS-41-C patch.png|50px]] [[File:STS-51-L-patch-small.png|50px]]
}}
'''Francis Richard "Dick" Scobee''' (May 19, 1939 – January 28, 1986) was an American [[aircraft pilot|pilot]], [[engineer]], and [[astronaut]]. He was [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|killed]] while commanding the [[Space Shuttle Challenger|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'']] in 1986, which suffered catastrophic [[Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster|booster]] failure during launch of the [[STS-51-L]] mission.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/27/us/space-shuttle-challenger-anniversary-scobee-profile/index.html|title=Son of space shuttle Challenger commander remembers tragedy|author=Thom Patterson|website=CNN|date=January 27, 2019 |access-date=February 3, 2019}}</ref>

Scobee held a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[Aerospace Engineering]], graduating from the [[University of Arizona]] in 1965. He was a [[reciprocating engine]] [[mechanic]] for the United States Air Force and served as a [[combat]] [[aviator]] in the [[Vietnam War]].

Selected for [[NASA Astronaut Corps]] in January 1978, Scobee completed his training in August 1979. While awaiting his first [[orbital spaceflight]] mission, Scobee served as an [[Flight instructor|instructor pilot]] for the Shuttle's [[Shuttle Carrier Aircraft|747 carrier aircraft]]. In April 1984, he piloted ''Challenger'' mission [[STS-41-C]], which successfully deployed one [[satellite]] and repaired another.

==Early life==
Scobee was born May 19, 1939, in [[Cle Elum, Washington]], to Francis William Scobee and Edlynn (Miller) Scobee. He attended North Auburn Elementary School (Later named Dick Scobee Elementary after him), Cascade Jr. High School, and [[Auburn Senior High School]], from which he graduated in 1957.<ref name="nasabio">{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/scobee_francis.pdf |title=FRANCIS R. (DICK) SCOBEE (LT. COL., U.S. AIR FORCE, RET.) NASA ASTRONAUT (DECEASED) |publisher=NASA|date=May 2013 |access-date=May 18, 2021}}</ref>

==Air Force service==
Scobee enlisted in the [[United States Air Force]] in 1957, where he served as a [[reciprocating engine]] [[mechanic]] at [[Kelly Air Force Base]] in [[San Antonio]], [[Texas]]. While off duty, Scobee attended [[San Antonio College]], and eventually received a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[Aerospace Engineering]] from the [[University of Arizona]] in 1965. He was a member of [[Tau Beta Pi]].

In 1965, Scobee was awarded an [[commissioned officer|officer's]] commission. Afterward, he attended flight school and earned his [[United States Aviator Badge|pilot wings]] in 1966, serving as a [[combat]] [[aviator]] in the [[Vietnam War]]. Scobee was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (USA)|Distinguished Flying Cross]], the [[Air Medal]], and other decorations.

After his tour of duty, Scobee attended the [[USAF Test Pilot School|USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School]] (Class 71B) at [[Edwards Air Force Base]], 100 miles north of [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]. Upon graduation in 1972, he became an Air Force [[test pilot]], logging thousands of hours of flight time in dozens of [[aircraft]], including the [[Boeing 747]], the experimental [[Martin Marietta X-24B|X-24B]] [[lifting body]], the [[General Dynamics F-111|F-111 Aardvark]], and the gigantic [[C-5 Galaxy]].<ref name=":0" />

==''Challenger''==
Scobee was assigned commander for the ill-fated [[STS-51-L]] mission, after having previously flown ''Challenger'' in [[STS-41-C]] as a pilot. The mission, designed to deploy a satellite to study the approaching [[Comet Halley|Halley's Comet]] and to inaugurate the [[Teacher in Space Project]], was delayed numerous times due to bad weather and technical glitches. When the mission finally did lift off the [[launch pad|pad]], a solid rocket booster [[O-ring]] seal failure [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|destroyed the shuttle]] 73 seconds into the flight, killing Scobee and the other six crew members; the disaster, viewed live on national television, prompted several days of national mourning, as well as a major shakeup at NASA. He died a [[Lieutenant colonel (United States)|lieutenant colonel]]. At T+68 into the mission, the CAPCOM [[Richard O. Covey|Richard Covey]] informed the crew that they were "go at throttle up", and Scobee confirmed the call—his last recorded words were his response, "Roger, go at throttle up." The shuttle broke up at an altitude of 48,000&nbsp;feet (14.6&nbsp;km).<ref name="kerwin">{{cite web|author=Kerwin, Joseph P. |title=''Challenger'' crew cause and time of death |year=1986 |url=https://history.nasa.gov/kerwin.html |access-date=July 4, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103015825/https://history.nasa.gov/kerwin.html |archive-date=January 3, 2013 }}</ref>

Some experts, including one of NASA's lead investigators, [[Robert Overmyer]], who was closest to Scobee, believed most if not all of the crew were alive and possibly conscious during the entire descent until impact with the ocean. After the investigation, Overmyer stated, "I not only flew with Dick Scobee, we owned a plane together, and I know Scob did everything he could to save his crew. Scob fought for any and every edge to survive. He flew that ship without wings all the way down."<ref name=Breakup>{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3078062 | title=Chapter 5: An eternity of descent| work=[[NBC News]] | last=Barbree | first=Jay | date=January 1997 | access-date=July 29, 2009}}</ref>

==Family==
[[File:June Scobee Rodgers at NSB awards ceremony (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|June Scobee Rodgers at 2017 [[National Science Board]] awards ceremony. ]]
Scobee married Virginia June Kent (now June Scobee Rodgers; born November 30, 1942), with whom he had two children: Kathie R. Scobee Fulgham and Lieutenant General [[Richard W. Scobee]]. Dick Scobee is buried at [[Arlington National Cemetery]]. June remarried in 1989 to retired Army LTG [[Thurman D. Rodgers|Don Rodgers]]. Richard graduated from the [[U.S. Air Force Academy]], has flown [[F-16]]s for the [[USAF]], and has commanded the [[506th Air Expeditionary Group]], [[944th Fighter Wing]], the [[301st Fighter Wing]], the [[Tenth Air Force|10th Air Force]] and [[Air Force Reserve Command|U.S. Air Force Reserve Command]].<ref name=genbio>{{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108658/richard-w-scobee/ |title=Biographies : LIEUTENANT GENERAL RICHARD W. SCOBEE |website=www.af.mil |access-date=September 18, 2018}}</ref> He led the military flyover during the pregame of [[Super Bowl XXX]], which was played on the 10th anniversary of the disaster in 1996.<ref>"Naval Air Station Area Impact Expected To Grow With Base", Fort Worth Business Press, Fort Worth, TX, February 22, 2010</ref>

==Awards and recognition==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|-
|colspan="4"|[[File:USAF_Master_Astronaut_badge.jpg|200px]]
|-
|colspan="3"|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}} 
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|other_device=|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=|ribbon=AF Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.png|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=4|type=oak|other_device=|ribbon=Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=U.S._Congressional_Space_Medal_of_Honor_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=USA_-_NASA_Excep_Rib.png|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=SpaceFltRib.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|ribbon=Air_Force_Good_Conduct_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=|type=oak|other_device=|ribbon=Army_Good_Conduct_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Armed Forces Expedtionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=6|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=4|type=oak|ribbon=Air Force Longevity Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=|ribbon=USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg |width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}}
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="3"| [[United States Aviator Badge|Air Force Command Pilot Badge]]<br>with [[Astronaut Badge|Astronaut Device]]
|-
|colspan="3"|[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]
|-
|[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] 
|[[Air Medal]]
|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Air Force Presidential Unit Citation]]
|-
|[[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award]]<br>with four bronze [[oak leaf cluster]]s
|[[Congressional Space Medal of Honor]]
|[[NASA Exceptional Service Medal]]
|-
|[[NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal]]<br>with bronze oak leaf cluster
|[[Air Force Good Conduct Medal]]
|[[Army Good Conduct Medal]]
|-
|[[National Defense Service Medal]]
|[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]]
|[[Vietnam Service Medal]]<br>with silver and bronze [[campaign star]]s
|-
|[[Air Force Longevity Service Award]]<br>with four bronze oak leaf clusters
|[[Marksmanship Ribbon#Air Force|Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon]]
|[[Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
|-
|}
On July 9, 1994, the San Antonio College Planetarium was rededicated The Scobee Planetarium. In 2004, Scobee was [[posthumous recognition|posthumous]]ly awarded the [[Congressional Space Medal of Honor]] and was inducted into the [[Astronaut Hall of Fame]]. After the ''Challenger'' disaster, a number of schools, streets, and municipal facilities in the U.S. were renamed in his honor. North Auburn Elementary School in Auburn, WA was renamed Dick Scobee Elementary, and [[Auburn Municipal Airport (Washington)|Auburn Municipal Airport]] became Dick Scobee Field.<ref>[http://www.s50wa.com/overview.html Auburn Municipal Airport located in Washington State (WA)<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060307092350/http://www.s50wa.com/overview.html |date=March 7, 2006 }}</ref> Dick Scobee Memorial Airfield is a radio-controlled and model aircraft facility located at George Bush Park in western Harris County, Texas.

Scobee Road in [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]],<ref>[http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=%5b1%2d36%5d%20Dick%20Scobee%20Rd&city=Myrtle%20Beach&state=SC&zipcode=29579&country=US&location=N62N07Uej3rteby9jK%2f%2fXlY2L%2fZbs%2fKqvzPx4lv1O7qX0Gqw%2beRsIXhWxQ0M1MUlFpTkREV4IiDqMTB60E6MDGI6wVqvxiLgF8YjTuqEmBoqHP2QzgK3pminVpIwSISGSKvGgnzpEjJEkAQGe5UkBQ%3d%3d&ambiguity=1 Map of [1–36&#93; Dick Scobee Rd Myrtle Beach, SC by MapQuest<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> along with [[Ronald McNair]] Boulevard and [[Christa McAuliffe]] Street, commemorate Scobee and his fellow ''Challenger'' crew members. In [[Houston, Texas]]'s George Bush Park, there is a R/C (Remote Controlled) Flying Field named in Scobee’s honor.<ref>{{cite web|title=About - Bayou City Flyers|url=https://www.bayoucityflyersrc.com/about/|access-date=December 11, 2022}}</ref> He was portrayed by [[Barry Bostwick]] in the 1990 TV film ''[[Challenger (1990 film)|Challenger]]''. Scobee also made an appearance in the 1985 [[IMAX]] documentary ''[[The Dream is Alive]]'', shot during the STS-41C mission.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Dream is Alive|first=Terry |last=Catchpole|date=February 8, 1991 |url=https://ew.com/article/1991/02/08/dream-alive/|publisher=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=December 11, 2022}}</ref> In April 1986, Dick Scobee Elementary School in the [[Auburn School District]] was dedicated in a ceremony attended by his spouse, June.<ref>{{cite news|title=Challenger Astronaut Remembered in Hometown|first=Kathy |last=McCarthy|date=April 28, 1986|url=https://apnews.com/article/3c6c77cdb85da83ff1041d3f0d9245f0|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=December 11, 2022}}</ref> The [[Cygnus NG-21]] spacecraft was named ''S.S. Francis R. "Dick" Scobee'' in his memory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northrop Grumman names Cygnus cargo craft for fallen Challenger commander |url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-070124a-northrop-grumman-ng21-francis-dick-scobee.html |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=collectSPACE.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Biography}}
{{Commons category|Dick Scobee}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/scobee_francis.pdf |title=FRANCIS R. (DICK) SCOBEE (LT. COL., U.S. AIR FORCE, RET.) NASA ASTRONAUT (DECEASED) |publisher=NASA|date=May 2013 |access-date=May 18, 2021}}
*[http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/frscobee.htm Francis R. Scobee – Arlington National Cemetery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112092018/http://arlingtoncemetery.net/frscobee.htm |date=November 12, 2011 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080808112312/http://www.auburn.wednet.edu/dscobee/default.htm The Auburn, Washington Elementary school named in his honour.]

{{Congressional Space Medal of Honor}}
{{STS-51L}}
{{NASA Astronaut Group 8|state=autocollapse}}
{{U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scobee, Dick}}
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:1986 deaths]]
[[Category:University of Arizona alumni]]
[[Category:United States Air Force colonels]]
[[Category:United States Air Force personnel of the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in the United States]]
[[Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)]]
[[Category:United States Astronaut Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School alumni]]
[[Category:Space Shuttle program astronauts]]
[[Category:Space Shuttle Challenger disaster victims]]
[[Category:People from Auburn, Washington]]
[[Category:United States Air Force astronauts]]
[[Category:People from Cle Elum, Washington]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Washington (state)]]