Norman Thagard

Norman Thagard, born on July 3, 1943, in Marianna, Florida , is a United States citizen and a person of multiple occupations. Thagard has served as an officer in the armed forces , an astronaut , a physician , and an aircraft pilot .

He pursued his education at the University of Florida and Florida State University . Recognized for his achievements, Thagard has received numerous awards in his career. He was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and made an Erskine Visiting Fellow at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand . He has been included in Who's Who In America and Who's Who in Science and Engineering and was admitted to FSU's Circle of Gold Honorary Society .

Thagard participated in the 1998 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California on an award-winning float , and was designated as an Honorary Conch and Citizen of the Florida Keys . In addition to these accolades, Thagard has also received the NASA Space Flight Medal , NASA Distinguished Service Medal , NASA Sustained Superior Performance Award , Air Medal , Navy Commendation Medal , and Vietnam Service Medal . Norman Thagard is also known by the alias Norman Earl Thagard .