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Five items from the personal collection of Apollo 17 moonwalker Gene Cernan:
- Framed display presented to Cernan by U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 83 (VFA-83), a F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter squadron known as the ‘Rampagers.” The display contains a color photo of two airborne VFA-83 fighter jets, gold-tone Naval Aviator Wings, and four engraved plates; the upper and lower plates are marked “Capt Gene Cernan, USN (Ret.)” and “From: Strike Fighter Squadron Eight Three, ‘Rampagers,’ 3 May 2014,” and the left and right plates feature the names and facsimile signatures of 23 Rampagers. Framed to an overall size of 23 x 18.75. In fine condition, with some chips and scuffs to the frame.
- Vintage matte-finish 9.25 x 7.5 photo of Gemini 10 astronauts Gene Cernan and Tom Stafford standing backstage with famed singer and actress Dinah Shore at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas after the latter’s concert on February 25, 1969, affixed to its original 11 x 14 cardstock mount, which is signed and inscribed in the lower border in black ink, "Dear Gene – You're a joy to know and spend time with – You can't imagine how large I am around here with every one (except Don R. who won't let me forget – I saw you first!) for having met you – Affectionately, Dinah Shore.” In very good condition, with emulsion loss to the left side of the photo, and considerable dampstaining to the left side of the cardstock mount.
- Original official color glossy 7.25 x 9.5 NASA portrait photograph of Cernan, which depicts the future Apollo 17 moonwalker in a formal pose with a model of a Gemini-era Titan rocket, his lapel bearing a USAF astronaut device. The photo is affixed to its original 11 x 14 presentation mount. In fine condition, with a few trivial marks to photo, which bears slight edgewear, and bumping to mat corners.
- Two presentation displays issued to Cernan by the Reno Air Race Association for his role in serving as ‘Grand Marshal’ at the legendary Reno Air Races of 1999, 2001, and 2002. Both framed displays measure 18 x 13 and contain color portraits of Cernan and commemorative medallions from the events: the 1999 display contains two medallions for the 36th Annual Air Race, and the display for the 2001 and 2002 events features four medallions for the 38th and 39th Annual Air Races. In overall fine condition.
Gene Cernan began his naval career as a midshipman in the U.S. Navy ROTC while studying engineering at Purdue University. After graduating in 1956, he was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy and entered flight training, becoming a Naval Aviator, and was assigned to Attack Squadron 126 (VA-126) at NAS Miramar, flying the FJ-4B Fury, and was later promoted to lieutenant. Cernan was then assigned to Attack Squadron 113 (VFA-113) at NAS Lemoore, flying A-4C Skyhawks, and deployed aboard the USS Hancock (CVA-19). A few years later, Lieutenant Cernan was selected as an astronaut as one of 14 members of NASA Astronaut Group 3, which was announced on October 18, 1963.
Dinah Shore was one of 50 of Cernan’s personal friends that he invited to the launch of the Apollo 17 mission on December 6, 1972. Other celebrities invited by Cernan included John Wayne, Connie Stevens, Bob Hope, Don Rickles (presumably the "Don R." referenced in the inscription), Johnny Carson, and Eva Gabor. When the Apollo 10 crew traveled to the moon during their historic ‘dress rehearsal,’ they brought a music cassette tape to pass the time. The tape included songs by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, The Brothers Four, Acker Bilk, Eartha Kitt, and seven songs by Dinah Shore.
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