Bruce McCandless II

Quick Facts: Who was Bruce McCandless II?

Subject:

Bruce McCandless II

Known for:

Pioneer astronaut known for the first untethered spacewalk using the Manned Maneuvering Unit.

Born:

1937-06-08

Died:

2017-12-21

Century / Era:

1937s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Bruce McCandless II (born Byron Willis McCandless; June 8, 1937 – December 21, 2017) was an American Navy officer and aviator, electrical engineer, and NASA astronaut. In 1984, during the first of his two Space Shuttle missions, he completed the first untethered spacewalk by using the Manned Maneuvering Unit. Byron Willis McCandless was born on June 8, 1937, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Career & Major Achievements

A third-generation U.S. Navy officer, McCandless was the son of Bruce McCandless and grandson of Willis W. Bradley, both Medal of Honor recipients. His mother changed his name on June 6, 1938, to Bruce McCandless II. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson Senior High School, Long Beach, California, in 1954.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1958, he received a Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy, graduating second, behind future National Security Advisor John Poindexter, in a class of 899 that also included John McCain. During his professional career, he also received a Master of Science in electrical engineering from Stanford University in 1965 and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston–Clear Lake in 1987.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1937 (1937-06-08): Birth of Bruce McCandless II — Pioneer astronaut known for the first untethered spacewalk using the Manned Maneuvering Unit.
2. 1938: 1938 Milestone — His mother changed his name on June 6, 1938, to Bruce McCandless II.
3. 1954: 1954 Milestone — He graduated from Woodrow Wilson Senior High School, Long Beach, California, in 1954.
4. 1958: 1958 Milestone — In 1958, he received a Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy, graduating second, behind future National Security Advisor John Poindexter, in a class of 899 that also included John McCain.
5. 1965: 1965 Milestone — During his professional career, he also received a Master of Science in electrical engineering from Stanford University in 1965 and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston–Clear Lake in 1987.
6. 1984: 1984 Milestone — In 1984, during the first of his two Space Shuttle missions, he completed the first untethered spacewalk by using the Manned Maneuvering Unit.
7. 2017 (2017-12-21): Passing & Historical Legacy — Bruce McCandless II passed away on 2017-12-21, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Bruce McCandless II

“I was always fascinated by the idea of going to space.” (1984)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Bruce McCandless II

True or False: “True or false: Bruce McCandless II performed the first untethered spacewalk using the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) during a Space Shuttle mission.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): This feat in 1984 was a major milestone in astronautical history, proving the capability of the MMU for free-floating spacewalks.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdelaziz Bouteflika — Contemporary (Born in 1937) (1937): Algerian politician who served as the seventh President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019.
• Alain Badiou — Contemporary (Born in 1937) (1937): Influential French philosopher known for 'Being and Event' and universalism.
• Alberto de Oliveira — Contemporary (Died in 1937) (1937): Brazilian poet, pharmacist, and professor, known by the pen name Alberto de Oliveira.
• Abdul Halim of Kedah — Contemporary (Died in 2017) (2017): Sultan of Kedah and Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a pivotal Malaysian royal figure.
• Adam West — Contemporary (Died in 2017) (2017): American actor best known for portraying Batman in the 1960s and extensive voice work.
• Adnan Khashoggi — Contemporary (Died in 2017) (2017): Saudi businessman and arms dealer, known as 'The Great Gatsby of the Middle East'
• Abraham Maslow — Shared historical date (06-08 · Died) (1970): Pioneering American psychologist known for the Hierarchy of Needs and self-actualization theory.
• Alan Rubin — Shared historical date (06-08 · Died) (2011): American musician known for playing trumpet, flugelhorn, and piccolo trumpet.
• Alicia Alonso — Shared historical date (12-21 · Born) (1920): Legendary Cuban prima ballerina assoluta and choreographer.
• András Schiff — Shared historical date (12-21 · Born) (1953): Esteemed Hungarian and British classical pianist and conductor.
• 1937 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1937
• June 8 (06-08) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on June 8
• 2017 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2017
• December 21 (12-21) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 21

Frequently Asked Questions about Bruce McCandless II