On Tuesday, America lost a hero and CFACT lost a friend. Colonel Walter Cunningham was 90.

“Walt” is best known for flying in space as lunar module pilot on Apollo VII, the first manned space mission after a tragic fire on the ground killed the crew of Apollo I.

Walt worked closely with CFACT and joined our delegations to COP 19, the UN climate conference in Warsaw, and COP 20 in Lima, Peru.

Walt’s boundless courage extended beyond his pioneering trip to space and the 54 combat missions he flew as a Marine in Korea.  Walt was a fearless man of science.  In 2012 he joined fellow Apollo legend Harrison “Jack” Schmitt, the famed geologist who walked on the moon, to organize a letter to NASA urging America’s space agency to move away from propagandizing global warming and return its focus to the exploration of space.

“We feel that NASA’s advocacy of an extreme position,” the letter states, “prior to a thorough study of the possible overwhelming impact of natural climate drivers is inappropriate. We request that NASA refrain from including unproven and unsupported remarks in its future releases and websites on this subject. At risk is damage to the exemplary reputation of NASA, NASA’s current or former scientists and employees, and even the reputation of science itself.”  Take a look at this hard-hittinge letter and the amazing names that signed. You’ve seen these people depicted in documentaries, movies and on TV time and again.

Walt Cunningham hero of space and science

In Warsaw, the Obama Administration had NASA set up a global warming display that was heavily laden with unsound, partisan science.  When the CFACT delegation pointed out numerous errors the NASA staff were dismissive, until they saw who was with us.  You should have seen their jaws drop when we walked in with Walt, an undisputed NASA hero!

You also should have seen Walt, a man in his eighties, board a hang glider and jump off a Peruvian mountain to call the UN’s attention to the fact that climate science is anything but settled!

For his unwavering dedication to science CFACT presented Walt with our “Dauntless Purveyor of Climate Truth Award.”  Check out the video with a moving tribute to Walt’s life.

CFACT continues to enjoy a fast friendship with Walt’s wife Dot, who also joined us in Warsaw and Rio and accompanied CFACT to Machu Piccu.  The couple were brought together by President George W. Bush during his time in the White House.

The Cunningham family said in a statement, “We would like to express our immense pride in the life that he lived, and our deep gratitude for the man that he was — a patriot, an explorer, pilot, astronaut, husband, brother, and father. The world has lost another true hero, and we will miss him dearly.”

Everyone at CFACT admired Walt Cunningham.  We loved both Walt and Dot like family.

CFACT will miss this true American hero.

Walt Cunningham hero of space and science 1