We recently lost another pioneer of the Space Race, US Ambassador and Air Force Major General William Anders, who died on June 7, 2024 at age 90 when the small airplane we was piloting crashed into Puget Sound in Washington State. He was the only one on board. Funeral Arrangements are still being made.
As a crewmember of the Apollo 8 mission, Anders was one of the first three humans to orbit - and as such - see the far side of the moon. Right after the crew's 3rd of 10 orbits, he asked for a roll of color film and the above photo - eventually titled Earthrise - the first color photograph of Earth taken from space and one of the most iconic photos of all time.
Technician Fourth Grade Isaac Akinaka was arguably the most respected medic in the 100th Infantry Battalion. Based on stories, if you were injured, you wanted Akinaka to be the one near by to help you. While other medics admitted when they were called pause for a brief moment to take a deep breath or close their eyes or do something else to mentally prepare to run headlong into a firefight, Akinaka seemed to always be prepared and never hesitated. Many thought it had to do with his devout faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Isaac Fukuo Akinaka died unexpectedly after complications from a surgery when he was 73 years old. He was buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Section 3, Grave 133-A. His wife Gwen was laid to rest by his side when she passed away in 2001 at age 83.
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