Charles F. Bolden, Jr.
| Charles Bolden | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 12th Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration | |
|
In office July 17, 2009 – January 20, 2017 |
|
| Deputy |
Lori Garver Dava Newman |
| Preceded by | Christopher Scolese (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Robert M. Lightfoot Jr. (Acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles Frank Bolden, Jr. August 19, 1946 Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Alma mater |
United States Naval Academy, B.S. 1968 University of Southern California, M.S. 1977 United States Naval Test Pilot School |
| Awards |
Defense Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Years of service | 1968–2004 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Commands |
I Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Battles/wars |
Vietnam War Operation Desert Thunder |
 |
|
| NASA Astronaut | |
| Status | Retired |
|
Time in space
|
28d 08h 37m |
| Selection | 1980 NASA Group 9 |
| Missions | STS-61-C, STS-31, STS-45, STS-60 |
|
Mission insignia
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Charles Frank Bolden, Jr. (born August 19, 1946) is a former Administrator of NASA, a retired United States Marine Corps Major General, and a former NASA astronaut.
A 1968 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he became a Marine Aviator and test pilot. After his service as an astronaut, he became Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen at the Naval Academy.
On May 23, 2009, President Barack Obama announced the nomination of Bolden as NASA Administrator and Lori Garver as Deputy NASA Administrator. Bolden was confirmed by the Senate on July 15, 2009. He is the first African American to head the agency on a permanent basis.
On Jan 12, 2017, Bolden announced his resignation from NASA during a town hall meeting at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. His last day would be January 19, and Robert M. Lightfoot Jr. was announced as acting NASA Administrator.
Bolden graduated from C. A. Johnson High School in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1964. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Science from the United States Naval Academy in 1968, where he was a contemporary of future Marine officers Oliver North, Jim Webb and Michael Hagee and future Chief of Naval Operations Michael Mullen, and a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California in 1977. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
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