Fred Gregory, a decorated astronaut and combat pilot, became NASA’s first African-American Deputy Administrator in 2002, following an influential career in flight operations and space program management.

Fred Gregory’s distinguished career began as a combat rescue pilot in Vietnam, where he flew 550 missions. He later transitioned to fixed-wing aircraft and became a test pilot at NASA’s Langley Research Center. In 1978, Gregory was selected as an astronaut, where he contributed to various Shuttle missions. As an astronaut, Gregory supported early Shuttle missions, worked as a spacecraft

communicator (CAPCOM), and held leadership roles in astronaut training and safety. He flew on three space missions, piloting STS-51B and commanding STS-33 and STS-44, logging over 455 hours in space.

Beyond his flight experience, Gregory held leadership positions at NASA, serving as Associate Administrator for the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance. He was appointed Deputy Administrator in 2002, becoming the first African-American to hold the position.

As Deputy Administrator, Gregory was responsible for overseeing critical programs such as the International Space Station, Space Shuttle operations, and commercial space access. His leadership in safety, mission assurance, and spaceflight strategies helped shape NASA’s trajectory before his retirement in 2005.