Can You Name the Mercury Seven Astronauts?

Despite the private e-mail tongue lashing I took for my comments a few weeks back about the need to retire the Shuttle, I’m pretty fond of the concept of space flight. Even at my advanced age, I’d be at the Kennedy Space Center in a heartbeat if they’d let me tag along.

I was a kid – really little – when Sputnik launched and began the space race that culminated with America’s arrival on the moon aboard Apollo 11 in 1969.

Nostalgically then, I offer this shot of the original Mercury Seven – the first group of American astronauts detailed in The Right Stuff many years back.

So here’s the deal.

Name the astronauts from left to right(last name is fine) and you’ll win a copy of a Professional Pilot Career Guide. I’ll cover the postage and even autograph the book telling all your friends how incredibly smart you are … as well as old.

Just remember the U.S. Postal system is not fast. And we do NOT provide the magnifying glasses to old folks with eye sight numbers in the hundreds, so no complaints about the size of the photo.

And finally, no private e-mails this time.

If you know who these astounding young men are, climb out on a limb and show us right here in front of all your friends!