Honoring Veterans: Navy Veteran Ken Mattingly

This week’s Honoring Veterans Spotlight honors the service of Navy Veteran Ken Mattingly, who served as a pilot during the 1950s and later became an astronaut during the Apollo missions. 

Thomas Kenneth “TK” Mattingly II was born in March 1936 in Chicago, Illinois, as the son of Thomas and Constance Mattingly. After graduating from Miami Edison Senior High School in Florida in 1954, Mattingly attended Auburn University in Alabama on a U.S. Navy scholarship. He graduated in 1958 with a degree in aeronautical engineering. 

After graduation, Mattingly joined the U.S. Navy as an ensign and received his wings in 1960. He joined Attack Squadron 35 (VA-35), based in Virginia, where he flew a Douglas A-1H Skyraider propeller-driven aircraft from the carrier USS Saratoga (CVA-60). He later transitioned to flying jet aircraft such as the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior jet bomber. In total, he logged 7,200 hours of flight time during his career, including 5,000 hours in jet aircraft. 

In April 1966, Mattingly became one of 19 astronauts selected for the fifth astronaut group by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He served on astronaut support crews for the Apollo 8 and 11 missions and played an important role in the development of the Apollo spacesuit. 

Mattingly was designated as the command module pilot for the Apollo 13 mission but was removed 72 hours before the flight due to exposure to rubella. Despite being disappointed that he was not able to participate in the flight, he played a crucial role in the mission when an explosion occurred aboard Apollo 13, threatening the lives of the astronauts on the mission. He provided insight and guidance from the ground and made key decisions that ultimately helped bring home Apollo 13 astronauts James Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise. Mattingly’s feat was portrayed in the 1995 movie “Apollo 13,” where he was played by actor Gary Sinise. 

Later in his career, Mattingly served as the command module pilot for the 1972 Apollo 16 mission. He orbited the moon 64 times during the mission, capturing film footage while his crewmates collected lunar samples. Though the mission was terminated early, Mattingly and his fellow astronauts accomplished all of their major objectives. 

Following the Apollo 16 mission, Mattingly served in astronaut management positions in the Space Shuttle Development program, including as commander of the final test flight of the space shuttle Columbia (STS-4) in 1982. 

Mattingly left NASA in 1985 and the Navy a year later. By the end of his military career, he had risen to the rank of rear admiral. He would go on to work in several contracting jobs in the aerospace industry, including with Grumman, General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin.

For his service, Mattingly was awarded Distinguished Service medals from NASA, the Navy and the Department of Defense. 

Mattingly died in October 2023 at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and his son, Thomas III.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for Honoring Veterans

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s Honoring Veterans social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Writer: William Beterbide

Editors: Lillian Williams, Kinsey Spratt

Researchers: Raphael Romea, Charmonie Baugh

Graphic Designer: Maura Joyce