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ELLISON S. ONIZUKA
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Born June 24, 1946 in
Kealakekua, Kona, Hawaii. Ellison received both a Bachelor of
Science degree and a Master of Science degree in aerospace
engineering from the University of Colorado. Onizuka and his
wife, Lorna Leike Onizuka, have two children, Janelle and
Darien. |
Lieutenant Colonel
Onizuka was an Air Force test pilot, having been awarded the Air Force
Commendation Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal and the National
Defense Service Medal.
After he was chosen to be an astronaut, he flew on Discovery 51-C, which
was the first shuttle mission flown exclusively for the Department of
Defense. His duties included deploying a Department of Defense satellite
using the shuttle’s 50-foot remote arm.
He was selected to fly as a mission specialist on Challenger STS 51-L,
which was destroyed one minute and 13 seconds after its launch.
Ellison S. Onizuka made the ultimate sacrifice and lost is life in
service to the nation and the space program on January 28, 1986 at 39
years of age.
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