We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Biographies

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Who is Alan Shepard?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 10,671
Share

Alan Shepard was the first American to fly in space, and the second person in the world to successfully do so. His long career as an astronaut is a remarkable one. Not only did he make the first successful American space flight as part of the Mercury Program in 1961, but he also walked on the moon as one of the crewmembers of Apollo 14.

Some would call Alan Shepard fortunate indeed. He was initially assigned to the unsuccessful and nearly fatal Apollo 13 mission. Instead, Alan Shepard and his crew switched with the astronauts who initially were scheduled to fly the Apollo 14 mission, because Shepard and his crew needed more time to prepare.

Alan Shepard further carries the distinction of being the only astronaut from the Mercury program who made a lunar landing. His career as an astronaut lasted an impressive 25 years from 1959-1974. In 1971, when he commanded the Apollo 14 mission, Alan Shepard also became the oldest astronaut in NASA’s program at 47.

During his impressive space flights and career, Alan Shepard served his country in several other ways. He was a delegate at the 26th United Nations General Assembly in 1971. He’s also known for amusing the general public on several important occasions. His launch on Freedom 7 is partly remembered for his speech, “Please, dear God, don’t let me f*** up,” now known as "The Shepard’s Prayer." Additionally, he was the first man to play golf on the moon.

Historians cite Alan Shepard as not only a talented astronaut but also a consummate businessman. Prior to exiting the space program, he had already made over a million US dollars (USD) through sound investing, and paid speaking engagements. He also co-wrote with Deke Slayton, another Mercury Program astronaut, the non-fiction book, Moon Shot: The Inside Story of America’s Race to the Moon, in 1988. The book was successful and was adapted for a television mini-series in 1994.

Alan Shepard received numerous awards during his lifetime, including two NASA Distinguished Service Medals, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, and the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal. He has had many public buildings named in his honor. He is recognized as a devoted husband and father, even adopting his niece Alice in 1951.

Alan Shepard died in 1998 of leukemia, and his wife died just slightly over a month later. He is survived by his three daughters Laura, Juliana and Alice and by six grandchildren. It is unlikely that this distinguished American astronaut will be forgotten for his brave deeds, his business acumen and his sense of humor.

Share
PublicPeople is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a PublicPeople contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.
Discussion Comments
By curious2 — On Mar 09, 2008

I have a cigarette lighter given to my family by Alan Shepard when he was a Test Pilot in Victoria, Australia around the mid 1950's.

It has an insignia on the front and engraved Laughlin, AFB Texas. Does anyone know how I might value & sell it?

By curious2 — On Mar 07, 2008

Around the mid 1950's Alan Shepard was a Test Pilot at the Laverton Air Force Base, Victoria, Australia.

He and others of his group would visit my Grandfather and we have a memento of that time by way of his cigarette lighter. It has the air force insignia and engraving of its place of origin. Would anyone have any idea of its value?

By justu3 — On Oct 29, 2007

I am looking for information on the Alan Shepard and Company that existed around 1925 in which my father was treasurer. I would appreciate any information about that.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a PublicPeople contributor, Tricia...
Learn more
Share
https://www.publicpeople.org/who-is-alan-shepard.htm
Copy this link
PublicPeople, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

PublicPeople, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.