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Topic: Edward Dittmer, astrochimp trainer (1918-2015)
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Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-09-2015 01:45 AM
Edward Chris Dittmer, Sr., who worked on Project Manhigh and trained six astrochimps including Ham and Enos, died Jan. 2, 2015 and was laid to rest Thursday (Jan. 8). He was 96.The following was prepared by the New Mexico Museum of Space History: Edward C. Dittmer Sr. Passes Away at 96When Edward Chris Dittmer was born on September 24, 1918, very few people thought about man travelling to space and even fewer considered that Dittmer would play an important role in that effort. Dittmer, who passed away on January 2, 2015 in Alamogordo, was instrumental in man's early research into space flight. A decorated veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, he joined the service in 1942 as part of the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry. In 1946, he enlisted in the Army Air corp. While serving in Vietnam in the early sixties, Dittmer flew pilot rescue missions into enemy territory. Dittmer's last duty station was at Holloman Air Force Base where he worked in the Space Biology Department. During his time there, he trained six Astrochimps including HAM and Enos both of whom flew into space as a precursor to manned spaceflight. Above: Ed Dittmer, right, and an assistant tuck HAM the Astrochimp into his couch in preparation for his launch aboard the Mercury capsule in 1961. Dittmer trained six Astrochimps as part of his work at Holloman's Space Biology Department. In addition, he also worked on Project Manhigh, which put the first three Americans into near-space in gondolas lifted aloft by balloons. This work was made famous when USAF Col. Joe Kittinger made a record breaking high altitude jump from 102,800 feet, proving that an astronaut could survive a high-altitude ejection. It was during a practice ascent for Manhigh III that Dettmer proved his heroism once again, just as he had done during his wartime tours of service. "The Holloman Story" (UNM Press, 1967) said Captain Grover Schock, who was the prime mission pilot, was nearly killed when a "freak mishap plunged the car….a hundred feet to the ground." Schock had "his throat cut almost from ear to ear." It was Master Sergeant Ed Dittmer who sped to the scene, refusing to even stop for pursuing law enforcement. He administered expert first aid and is credited with saving Schock's life. Dittmer retired in 1973 with the distinction of having been named NCO of the Holloman Air Force Base Aeromedical Field Laboratory's Space Biology Branch by USAF Col. Dr. John Paul Stapp. After retirement, he became a valued volunteer at the New Mexico Museum of Space History which inducted him into the International Space Hall of Fame in 2001 for his work with the Astrochimps. Dittmer also spent many hours at local elementary schools talking about his experiences and was interviewed frequently by reporters, authors and filmmakers. |
ColinBurgess Member Posts: 2031 From: Sydney, Australia Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 01-09-2015 02:47 AM
So sorry to learn of Ed's passing. He was incredibly helpful to me while I was researching the chimpanzee space flights for "Animals in Space" which I co-wrote with Chris Dubbs. He supplied some great information and numerous photographs that were used in the book. My sincere condolences to Ed's family. |
jasonelam Member Posts: 691 From: Monticello, KY USA Registered: Mar 2007
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posted 01-09-2015 03:58 AM
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GACspaceguy Member Posts: 2476 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 01-09-2015 04:47 AM
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randy Member Posts: 2176 From: West Jordan, Utah USA Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 01-09-2015 08:14 AM
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mach3valkyrie Member Posts: 719 From: Albany, Oregon Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 01-09-2015 09:22 AM
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David Carey Member Posts: 782 From: Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 01-09-2015 11:38 AM
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Jurg Bolli Member Posts: 977 From: Albuquerque, NM Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 01-09-2015 12:58 PM
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Jeff Member Posts: 474 From: Fayetteville, NC, USA Registered: May 2009
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posted 01-09-2015 01:42 PM
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Kite Member Posts: 831 From: Northampton UK Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 01-09-2015 03:33 PM
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mikepf Member Posts: 441 From: San Jose, California, USA Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 01-09-2015 04:15 PM
From the description of his career in the article posted, it seems a bit of a jump from air cav and air rescue etc. work to training chimps for spaceflight. Colin, do you know how that all came about? If it's in your book, that will be a good reason to up it a notch or two on my reading list. |
ColinBurgess Member Posts: 2031 From: Sydney, Australia Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 01-09-2015 05:15 PM
Ed Dittmer, an Air Force aeromedical technician, was working in Holloman AFB's Space Biology Branch of the 6571st Aeromedical Research Laboratory in New Mexico, assigned directly to Dr. David Simons and the Man High balloon project. He also worked with John Paul Stapp on his rocket sled experiments, some of which involved runs using chimpanzees. He then became involved in building small environmental capsules for use in sending mice on ballistic rocket rides in the Thor-Able program. The 6571st ARL was also home to the colony of chimpanzees being trained for ballistic and orbital space flights, including Ham and Enos, and Dittmer became fully involved in this program as a technician, working closely with the animals while helping to develop the capsules and biological systems used on those flights. |
sev8n Member Posts: 234 From: Dallas TX USA Registered: Jul 2012
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posted 01-10-2015 11:03 AM
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Ronpur Member Posts: 1211 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
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posted 01-10-2015 07:30 PM
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RockyMnWay Member Posts: 106 From: Westminster, CO, USA Registered: Jul 2011
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posted 01-10-2015 10:54 PM
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Lunar rock nut Member Posts: 911 From: Oklahoma city, Oklahoma U.S.A. Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 01-13-2015 04:49 PM
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capoetc Member Posts: 2169 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 01-13-2015 05:40 PM
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