Walter J. Kapryan - Hall of Fame 1984
Aeronautical Engineering
A 1947 graduate, Walter J. Kapryan, was director of launch operations at the John F. Kennedy Space Center from 1969 to 1979.
Walter established and headed the Manned Spacecraft Center's Gemini Program Office at the Kennedy Space Center and took part in the countdown for all ten Gemini as well as the Apollo Saturn 1B and Saturn V missions. He capped his many years of space activity directing the 1975 Russian-U.S. program - the launching of the Apollo-Soyuz mission.
In his role as director, Walter was in charge of the management of pre-flight operations and integration, test, checkout, and launch of all N.A.S.A. space vehicles, both manned and un-manned.
Walter has been recognized with such awards as the 1974 Gold Award of the Council of Engineering Societies of Detroit and the Superior Achievement Award, Group Achievement Award, Exceptional Service Medal, and Distinguished Service Medal, all presented by N.A.S.A.
He is also the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award given by the Wayne State College of Engineering on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.