Former Apollo 8 astronaut and retired Major General William Anders lost his life at the age of 90 in a plane crash into the ocean near the San Juan Islands, Washington. Anders, best remembered for taking the iconic “Earthrise” photograph during his 1968 Apollo 8 mission, is a significant figure in the annals of space exploration.
The crash occurred on June 7, 2024, around 11:40 a.m. local time, involving a Beech A45 aircraft near Roche Harbor, Washington. The incident was confirmed by the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest. Both Air Station Port Angeles and Station Port Angeles initiated search and rescue operations.
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Anders, the son of the deceased, reported his father’s death to The Associated Press. In his words, “The family is heartbroken. He was an exceptional pilot, and we will miss him deeply.” Greg also revealed that his father’s body was retrieved shortly after the accident.
Born on October 17, 1933, in Hong Kong, William Alison Anders was the son of a Navy lieutenant. He grew up in San Diego, California, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy when he was 22. Anders furthered his studies at the Air Force Institute of Technology, where he obtained a master’s degree in nuclear engineering. In 1964, NASA selected him, and he served as a backup pilot for Gemini XI and Apollo 11, and as the lunar module pilot for Apollo 8.
While on the Apollo 8 mission, Anders worked alongside Navy veteran James Lovell and Air Force veteran Frank Borman. He snapped the famous “Earthrise” photograph from their command module while orbiting the Moon. In a 2015 Forbes interview, Anders commented on the photograph’s impact, stating, “The view highlights the beauty and fragility of Earth.” This image is attributed with igniting the global environmental movement.
Following his tenure in space, Anders exited the Air Force and NASA in 1969. He held several prestigious positions afterwards, including the executive secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council, chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and U.S. ambassador to Norway. In the private sector, he served as the chairman and CEO of General Dynamics.
In 1996, Anders and his wife Valerie founded the Heritage Flight Museum in Washington. Currently located in Burlington, Washington, the museum exhibits aircraft, military vehicles, and other artifacts from Anders’ career.
The cause of the accident is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA.
William Anders is survived by his wife, Valerie; their sons, Greg, Alan, Glen, and Eric; and daughters, Diana and Gayle. His lasting legacy is seen in his significant contributions to space exploration and environmental conservation.