John Herrington, Astronaut, Chickasaw

As an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation, John Herrington became the first Native American to fly in space. He earned a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs before receiving his commission from Aviation Officer Candidate School in the United States Navy in 1984. Herrington received a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1995.

Selected by NASA in 1996, Herrington completed two years of training and evaluation and qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist. He was selected for the 16th Shuttle mission to the International Space Station, where he completed three separate space walks. As a member of the Chickasaw Nation, he chose to honor his heritage by carrying the Chickasaw Nation’s flag on this thirteen-day trip to space.