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Author
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Topic: Master in the Recovery of Gemini Spacecraft
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David Carey
Member Posts: 802
From:
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 11-25-2014 01:34 PM
   
A friend would like to know if anyone has further information on the single-page certificate below (not issued; autographs are printed).The certificate text is fairly explanatory — seemingly given to crew on the U.S.S. WASP as part of GTA-12 recovery. Are these rare? Did all crew aboard the ship receive these? I was surprised to find only a couple of MITROG mentions on the internet as part of obituary or genealogy write-ups.  |
4allmankind
Member Posts: 1048
From: Dallas
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 11-25-2014 02:15 PM
I have absolutely seen similar certificates for GT 6 & 7 as well. Unfortunately, I can't add much more than that though. |
Jonnyed
Member Posts: 408
From: Dumfries, VA, USA
Registered: Aug 2014
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posted 11-25-2014 09:11 PM
It's interesting that the write-up calls it a "card" (e.g. "this card certifies the bearer...") but it looks like it's a full page certificate. Is there some card that is supposed to accompany the certificate? |
Headshot
Member Posts: 891
From: Vancouver, WA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 11-26-2014 06:49 AM
I wonder if the astronauts' signatures were NASA-provided prior to the flight, to give the ship's printer time to prepare the cards, or if the astronauts signed a master copy while they were aboard the vessel after their flight? |
David Carey
Member Posts: 802
From:
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 11-26-2014 12:54 PM
Thanks Jason - with that new info I wonder if these certificates were uniquely issued on the U.S.S. Wasp, common recovery ship for Gemini 6, 7, and 12 (along with 4 and 9). In fact I've since found references to similar GREX ("Gemini Recovery Expert") certificates/awards tied to the the U.S.S Wasp's Gemini 9 pickup. Perhaps MITROGS was an advancement from GREX, or, just a new acronym for Wasp recovery awards during Gemini 12. No card found; either a missing item or perhaps simply a poor choice of wording. Good observation in any case. It was probably known well in advance that certificates would be given out in light of similar awards for Gemini 6/7/9. Astronaut signing and facsimile printing of 'blanks' on dry land would be a possibility. Hadn't even thought about at-sea creation however. Likely the Wasp had repro/printing capability aboard, so also a possibility. Thanks for the inputs. |
Jonnyed
Member Posts: 408
From: Dumfries, VA, USA
Registered: Aug 2014
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posted 11-26-2014 04:55 PM
What do you make of the symbols over the astronauts signatures? Looks like 5 points... blue fields of stars? Can't tell. What would be the significance of 5? I don't know that I've ever seen that symbol or icon before and I've been in military/govt matters for awhile. |
PeterO
Member Posts: 402
From: North Carolina
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 11-26-2014 06:08 PM
They look like partially-furled US flags to me. I don't know the significance of five though. |
Jonnyed
Member Posts: 408
From: Dumfries, VA, USA
Registered: Aug 2014
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posted 11-26-2014 06:31 PM
As I think back on my distant Navy experience, the Navy carries "Jacks" that fly on the forecastle — stars on a blue field only — no stripes. So this symbol is probably 5 jacks — not sure the significance of 5. |
Ross
Member Posts: 479
From: Australia
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 02-16-2015 08:14 AM
I now have a copy of the Gemini 9 version thanks to Michael McMurray.Does anyone have a version for Gemini 4, 6 or 7?  |
Headshot
Member Posts: 891
From: Vancouver, WA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 02-16-2015 10:22 AM
Interesting pair of documents. In the five month in between Gemini 9A and 12 the RADM commanding Task Group Bravo and the Commander of the USS Wasp both changed. I wonder if that is/was normal for the USN at that time? |
onesmallstep
Member Posts: 1313
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 02-17-2015 11:09 AM
I would say it is common, if not atypical, for a change in command of a US Navy Task Force/carrier group or an aircraft carrier itself to take place about every two years or so (except perhaps in wartime or in other circumstances). Just a coincidence these can happen at the same time and like anything else in the Navy, it's up to the department and the CNO (Chief of Naval Operations). |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1940
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 02-17-2015 11:21 AM
By Gemini 10, looks like this unofficial organization had changed its name to SPREX: Original signatures!  |
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