Captain Theodore Cody Freeman

Theodore “Ted” Cordy Freeman was born on February 18, 1930 in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Ted graduated with a bachelor of science degree from the United States Naval Academy and married Faith D. Clark on the same day in 1953. The then 2nd Lt. Freeman opted for his commission in the Air Force rather than continue in the Navy. In 1960, he received a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Michigan. Freeman was assigned to Edwards Air Force Base in California as a flight test aeronautical engineer. When chosen for the Aerospace Research Pilot Course, a distinctive honor, the possibility of Freeman becoming an astronaut was made public. When in fact, he was tapped for the new astronaut team, he moved to Texas for his training at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston. On October 31, 1964, Freeman was killed during a routine training flight as he turned to land his plane at Ellington Air Force Base. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Had he not been killed, he may have flown a Gemini mission before moving on to Apollo.

The Clear Lake City Library was renamed in honor of Captain Freeman in 1964. When the library became a part of the Harris County Public Library system for the second time in 1972, the library became known as the Freeman Memorial Branch Library.

Photo from the NASA biography of Captain Freeman.