Charles Lacy Veach was born on September 18, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up with a passion for flying and dreamed of one day becoming an astronaut. After graduating from high school, he attended the United States Air Force Academy, where he excelled in his studies and earned a degree in engineering.
After graduating from the Air Force Academy, Veach joined the Air Force and served as a fighter pilot in the Vietnam War. He flew a total of 275 combat missions and logged over 5,000 flying hours during his time in the military. His skills as a pilot caught the attention of NASA, and he was selected to join the astronaut training program in 1984.
Veach flew two space missions in the early 1990s, where he logged more than 430 hours in space. His first mission was to deliver the LAGEOS satellite, which was used to study the atmosphere and the Southern Lights. During his second mission, he conducted a series of experiments focusing on the effects of microgravity on the human body.
Veach was married to Alice Meigs Scott, and together they had two children. Despite the demands of his job as an astronaut, he always made time for his family and cherished the moments he spent with them.
Charles Veach will always be remembered for his contributions to space exploration and his dedication to serving his country. He was a true hero who inspired countless individuals to reach for the stars and never give up on their dreams.
One interesting fact about Veach is that he was born in the same state as Eugene Cernan, another famous astronaut who flew on the Apollo moon landing mission. The legacy of these two Illinois-born astronauts continues to inspire future generations to explore the unknown.