National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas 77058
Biographical Data

Barry E. “Butch” Wilmore (Commander, USN)
NASA Astronaut

PERSONAL DATA: Born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee -- Grew up in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. He is married to the former Miss Deanna Newport of Helenwood, Tennessee. His parents, Eugene and Faye Wilmore, still reside in Mt. Juliet. His brother Jack and family reside in Franklin, Tennessee.

EDUCATION: M.S., Electrical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University (TTU). M.S., Aviation Systems, University of Tennessee. B.S., Electrical Engineering, TTU. Mt. Juliet High School, Mt. Juliet, TN.

SPECIAL HONORS: Air Medal (5), 3 with the Combat 'V' designation. Navy Commendation Medal (6), 3 of which also hold the Combat 'V' designation. Navy Achievement Medal (2) and numerous Unit decorations. Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) “Distinguished Naval Graduate”. Initial Naval Flight Training “Commodores List With Distinction”. U.S. Atlantic Fleet “Light Attack Wing One - Pilot Of The Year” (1991). U.S. Atlantic Fleet "Strike Fighter Aviator of the Year" (1999). Tennessee Technological University “Sports Hall of Fame” - 2003 Inductee (Football).

EXPERIENCE: Wilmore has accumulated over 5300 flight hours and 663 carrier landings, all in tactical jet aircraft, and is a graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS).

During his tenure as a Naval officer and pilot, Wilmore has completed 4 operational deployments, flying the A-7E and FA-18 aircraft from the decks of the USS Forrestal, USS Kennedy, USS Enterprise and the USS Eisenhower aircraft carriers. He has flown missions in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Southern Watch over the skies of Iraq, as well as missions over Bosnia in support of U. S. and NATO interests. Wilmore successfully completed 21 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm while operating from the flight deck of the USS Kennedy. His most recent operational deployment was aboard the USS Eisenhower with the "Blue Blasters" of Strike Fighter Squadron 34 (VFA-34), an F/A-18 squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

As a Navy Test Pilot Wilmore participated in all aspects of the initial development of the T-45 jet trainer to include initial carrier landing certification and high angle of attack flight tests. His test tour also included a stint at USNTPS as a systems and fixed wing “Flight Test” instructor. Prior to his selection to NASA, Wilmore was on exchange to the Air Force as a “Flight Test” instructor at the United States Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected as a pilot by NASA in July 2000, Commander Wilmore reported for training in August 2000. Following the completion of two years of training and evaluation, he was assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office. Commander Wilmore currently represents the astronaut office on all propulsion systems including the space shuttle main engines, solid rocket motor, external tank, and also serves on the astronaut support team that travels to the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, in support of launch and landings. Commander Wilmore will serve in technical assignments until assigned to a space flight.

FEBRUARY 2007