Fred Wallace Haise, Jr., NASA Astronaut, was born in Biloxi Ms. On Nov. 14, 1933.

He graduated from Biloxi High School, attended junior college and received an associate’s degree. Haise received his Bachelor’s degree in science with honors in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma.

He has been awarded the Presidential Medal for Freedom, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the AIAA Haley Astronautics Award for 1971, the American Astronautical Society Flight Achievement Awards for 1970 and 1977, the City of New York Gold Medal in 1970, the City of Houston Medal for Valor in 1970, the Jeff Davis Award, the Mississippi Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, the American Defense Ribbon, the SETP’s Ray E. Tenhoff Award for 1966, the A. B. Honts Trophy as the outstanding graduate of Class 64A from the Aerospace Research Pilot School in 1964, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the JSC Special Achievement Award, the Soaring Society of America’s Certificate of Achievement Award, the General Thomas D. White Space Trophy for 1977 (1978), the SETP’s Iven C. Kincheloe Award, and the Air Force Association’s David C. Schilling Award.

Haise's experience as a test pilot, fighter pilot and a flight instructor prepared him to join 19 astronauts selected by NASA in 1966.  He was a backup for Apollo 8 and 11.  He was the lunar module pilot on the ill fated Apollo 13.  Haise has logged 142 hours and 54 minutes in space.

Haise later joined the team of astronauts who helped develop and test the Space Shuttle.