Photo: NASA / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
William C. McCool was credited as a military officer, astronaut and aircraft pilot. Born on September 23, 1961, William C. McCool was from San Diego, California, United States. Death is recorded on February 1, 2003, at the age of 41. Education on record includes Coronado High School. Recorded honors include Congressional Space Medal of Honor (2004), NASA Distinguished Service Medal (2003) and Eagle Scout.
My Take
What strikes me most about William McCool is the quiet integrity behind the achievements. An Eagle Scout, a naval aviator, and the pilot of Columbia's final flight, he embodied a kind of disciplined idealism that feels increasingly rare. His death during reentry in 2003 turned him into a symbol, but I prefer to remember the person who kept reaching upward by choice. The posthumous Congressional Space Medal of Honor is more than a decoration to me; it is a reminder that exploration carries real human cost. Whenever I look up at the night sky, people like him are exactly who I think of.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- William C. McCool
- Name (Japanese)
- ウィリアム・マッコール
- Reading
- うぃりあむ・まっこーる
- Born
- September 23, 1961 – February 1, 2003
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Libra / Ox
- Origin
- San Diego, California, United States
- Occupation
- military officer / astronaut / aircraft pilot / military flight engineer
2. Background
- High school
- Coronado High School
Awards & achievements
- 2004 Congressional Space Medal of Honor
- 2003 NASA Distinguished Service Medal
- Eagle Scout
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was William C. McCool born?
Born September 23, 1961.
When did William C. McCool die?
Died February 1, 2003, aged 41.
Where was William C. McCool from?
William C. McCool was from San Diego, California, United States.
What did William C. McCool do?
William C. McCool worked as military officer, astronaut, aircraft pilot, military flight engineer.
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