Ed White Elementary School is named in honor of the life and accomplishments of Edward Higgins White II -- the first American to walk in space. Ed White was born on November 14, 1930. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1952 and received a Masters of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Michigan in 1959. He served as an Air Force test pilot before being selected as astronaut in 1962.

On the third revolution of the 4 day Gemini IV flight, Lt. Col. White maneuvered outside the space craft - floating 95 miles above the Baja Peninsula. Tethered to the craft by a 25 foot cord, White used a "spacegun" to self-propel himself in space. The spacewalk prompted White to remark that he felt, "Red, white, and blue all over." In fact, the Gemini IV crew was the first to wear the American flag in space. A mustard seed was carried by White in his spacesuit pocket during the mission and the spacewalk. He selected the mustard seed due to its light weight and special religious connotation.

Ed White was scheduled to have flown on the first manned Apollo mission, Apollo-Saturn 204. During a ground launch simulation on January 27, 1967, a fire broke out in the command module asphyxiating White, Roger Chaffee, and Commander Virgil I. Grissom.

We salute the accomplishments of Edward H. White II. We are proud of the legacy he has left this school and community. His life serves as a role model for the students of our school.

"I think you have to understand the feeling that a pilot has, that a test pilot has, that I look forward a great deal to making the first flight. There's a great deal of pride involved in making a first flight."

-Ed White (The New York Times, January 29, 1967, p. 48.)