The Explorers' Club, № CMVI

Operation AXIOM: The Space Race—In Memoriam C.C. Williams
5 October 1967: Major Clifton Curtis "C.C." Williams Jr., U.S.M.C. (1932-1967) died after ejecting from his T-38 Talon, which crashed due to a mechanical failure; a graduate of Auburn University, he was selected in Astronaut Group 3 in October 1963 & was assigned as Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 12; survived by his wife, Beth, & daughters Catherine & Jane, the latter born eight months after his death.

Commentary: Williams was the fourth member of Astronaut Group 3 to perish during training, without having flown in space, after Ted Freeman (31 October 1964, aeroplane crash), Charlie Bassett (28 February 1966, aeroplane crash), & Roger Chaffee (27 January 1967, Apollo 1 fire). During Apollo 12, L.M.P. Al Bean left Williams's naval aviator wings & silver astronaut pin on the Moon as a tribute.

Bonus! Space Race Song o' the Day: In Memoriam
The Phenomenauts, "Heroes" from For All Mankind (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)

Requiem æternam.