TLS signed “Scott,” one page, 8 x 10.5, NASA letterhead, November 23, 1964. Letter to the recently widowed Mrs. Theodore C. Freeman, in part: "All of us in the course of our lives suffer the loss of dear ones. For me, this has been the loss of a son and my mother. Everlasting life for the two loved ones was a subject of concern to me during those times, and I came upon a certain realization that I sincerely hope will be of some comfort to you as well. Ted lives on as surely as if he were physically seated by you at this instant. He lives on in Faithie and all he has contributed to her person. He lives on in your love and that of his parents and his family. He lives on in the respect and esteem of his fellow astronauts, and when we get to the moon we will carry his contribution to that objective, and his name, with us just as certainly as if he were making the flight himself. I must also say that I think you are a brave and handsome lady and am very proud to know you." In fine condition. Selected in the third group of astronauts in 1963 along with the likes of Buzz Aldrin and Gene Cernan, Ted Freeman was killed a year later in a T-38 jet crash, marking the first fatality among the NASA Astronaut Corps. His widow, Faith, learned of the death when a reporter came to her house; this prompted NASA to set up a new procedure by which fellow astronauts would quickly be dispatched to inform and counsel families in the moments after tragedy. The astronauts made good on Carpenter's promise—Freeman's name is inscribed on the 'Fallen Astronaut' memorial sculpture placed on the moon on Apollo 15. From The Bill Lende Collection.
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