Former U.S. astronaut Frank Borman, renowned for his historic role as the commander of the Apollo 8 mission that orbited the moon, passed away at the age of 95, NASA announced on Thursday. Borman's death occurred on Tuesday in Billings, Montana, according to NASA. Bill Nelson, the NASA administrator, expressed his condolences in a statement, referring to Borman as "one of NASA's best" and a "true American hero." Nelson also emphasized Borman's deep love for aviation and exploration, which was surpassed only by his love for his wife Susan.

Apollo 8, a significant NASA mission launched in 1968, marked the first time that a spacecraft ventured beyond the Earth's orbit and reached the moon. Borman, along with fellow astronauts James Lovell and William Anders, successfully orbited the moon 10 times before returning to Earth. This mission allowed them to be the first humans in history to witness the far side of the moon. One of the most iconic moments of the mission was captured by Anders, who took the renowned photograph known as "Earthrise." The image depicted the Earth partially shrouded in shadow as it rose above the moon's horizon. As a testament to his contributions, Borman was honored with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor ten years later.

Born in Gary, Indiana, and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Borman's fascination with airplanes and aviation began at a young age. He pursued flying lessons while still a schoolboy, funding them with money earned from delivering newspapers. After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy in 1950, he commenced his career in the Air Force. Throughout his tenure, Borman assumed various roles, including fighter pilot, operational pilot, test pilot, and assistant professor. His extensive expertise and experience ultimately led to his selection by NASA to join the second group of astronauts.

Before his involvement in the Apollo program, Borman participated in the Gemini 7 flight in 1965. In this mission, he and Lovell circled the Earth a remarkable 206 times over nearly 14 days. Furthermore, their mission became a significant milestone for NASA as it marked the first ever rendezvous in space alongside the Gemini 6. Additionally, Borman served as a member of the Apollo 204 Fire Investigation Board, which investigated the tragic fire that occurred during a launch rehearsal on Apollo 1. This fire claimed the lives of astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger B. Chaffee.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1970, Borman assumed the role of senior vice president for operations at Eastern Airlines. He joined the company as a special advisor in 1969 and eventually rose through the ranks to become its CEO in 1975. Borman also held positions on the boards of several companies, including Home Depot and National Geographic. From 1988 to 1996, he served as the CEO of Patlex Corporation. In recognition of his achievements, Borman was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1993. Moreover, a section of Interstate 94 between Lake Station, Indiana, and the Illinois state line was dedicated as the Frank Borman Expressway in his honor.

Borman's remarkable contributions to space exploration and his subsequent leadership in the aviation industry solidified his legacy as one of the most influential figures in American history. As the nation mourns his loss, his extraordinary accomplishments will forever be remembered. Borman is survived by his wife Susan and their two sons.