Charles Bowen

Apollo 21 Charles Bowen

Despite budget cuts, Apollo sustained four missions beyond number 17. The bicentennial tragedy of Apollo 21 still hangs over the country. In the summer of '76, I made that ride home by myself. When I arrived, there was no confetti parade or visit to the White House. NASA said I died on re-entry. They added another caisson and dragged three empty caskets across the Arlington Bridge. leaving me with a bucket-full of mysteries about the real tragedy that was Apollo 21.