Editing William Anders

{{Short description|American astronaut and lunar explorer (1933–2024)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}<!-- Despite being American, he is notable for his military career, and the U.S. Armed Forces use the DMY date format. -->

{{Infobox astronaut
|name        = William Anders
|image       = William Anders.jpg
|caption     = Anders in 1964
|birth_name  = William Alison Anders
|birth_date  = {{birth date|1933|10|17|df=yes}}
|birth_place = [[British Hong Kong]]
|death_date  = {{death date and age|2024|06|07|1933|10|17|df=yes}}
|death_place = [[San Juan County, Washington|San Juan County]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], U.S.
|spouse      = {{marriage|Valerie E. Hoard|1955}}
|children    = 6
|education   = {{Unbulleted list | [[United States Naval Academy]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]]) | [[Air University (United States Air Force)|Air University]] ([[Master of Science|MS]]) }}
|type        = [[NASA Astronaut Corps|NASA astronaut]]
|rank        = [[Major general (United States)|Major General]], [[United States Air Force Reserve|USAFR]]
|time        = 6d 3h
|selection   = [[NASA Astronaut Group 3|NASA Group 3 (1963)]]
|mission     = [[Apollo 8]]
|insignia    = [[File:Apollo-8-patch.png|40px]]
|retirement  = 1 September 1969
|awards      = {{Plainlist|
* [[Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]]
* [[NASA Distinguished Service Medal]]
}}
|module       = {{Infobox officeholder
|embed        = yes
|office       = [[List of ambassadors of the United States to Norway|United States Ambassador to Norway]]
|president    = {{Plainlist|
* [[Gerald Ford]]
* [[Jimmy Carter]]
}}
|term_start   = 11 May 1976
|term_end     = 18 June 1977
|predecessor  = [[Thomas Ryan Byrne|Thomas Byrne]]
|successor    = [[Louis A. Lerner]]
}}
}}

'''William Alison Anders''' (17 October 1933 – 7 June 2024) was an American [[United States Air Force]] (USAF) [[Major general (United States)|major general]], [[electrical engineer]], [[nuclear engineer]], [[NASA Astronaut Corps|NASA astronaut]], and [[businessperson|businessman]]. In December 1968, he was a member of the crew of [[Apollo 8]], the first three people to leave [[low-Earth orbit]] and travel to the Moon. Along with fellow astronauts [[Frank Borman]] and [[Jim Lovell]], he circled the Moon ten times, and broadcast live images and commentary back to Earth, including the [[Apollo 8 Genesis reading|Christmas Eve Genesis reading]]. During one of the mission's lunar orbits, he took the iconic ''[[Earthrise]]'' photograph.

A 1955 graduate of the [[United States Naval Academy]], Anders was commissioned a [[second lieutenant]] in the USAF the same year and became a [[fighter pilot]] flying [[Northrop F-89 Scorpion]]s equipped with AIR-2A nuclear-tipped air-to-air rockets. He hoped to study [[aeronautical engineering]] through the [[Air Force Institute of Technology]] (AFIT) of [[Air University (United States Air Force)|Air University]], but the [[Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion]] program was ongoing, and he had to study [[nuclear engineering]] instead. He graduated from the AFIT in 1962 with a Master of Science degree in nuclear engineering and was sent to the [[Air Force Weapons Laboratory]], where he managed the technical aspects of the USAF [[nuclear reactor|nuclear power reactor]] programs.

Anders was the executive secretary of the [[National Aeronautics and Space Council]] from 1969 to 1973, a commissioner of the [[United States Atomic Energy Commission]] from 1973 to 1975, and chairman of the [[Nuclear Regulatory Commission]] from 1975 to 1976. He then became the [[list of ambassadors of the United States to Norway|United States Ambassador to Norway]] from 1976 to 1977. In September 1977, he joined [[General Electric]] (GE) as the vice president and general manager of its Nuclear Products Division and became the general manager of the GE Aircraft Equipment Division in 1980. He left GE to join [[Textron]] as executive vice president for aerospace, and two years later became senior executive vice president for operations. During his time in the Civil Service, he remained a USAF reserve officer and retained his active flight status. He retired from the reserve as a major general in 1988. In 1990, he became vice chairman of [[General Dynamics]], and in 1991 its chairman and CEO. He retired as CEO in 1993 and as chairman in 1994.

Anders died in a crash of his [[Beechcraft T-34 Mentor]] in June 2024 near the [[San Juan Islands]].

== Early life ==
William Alison Anders was born in Hong Kong on 17 October 1933, the son of Arthur Ferdinand Anders (1903–2000), a [[United States Navy]] lieutenant, and his wife, Muriel A. Anders ({{nee|Adams}}; 1911–1990). The family moved from Hong Kong to [[Annapolis, Maryland]], where his father taught mathematics at the [[Naval Postgraduate School|U.S. Naval Postgraduate School]]. After Annapolis, Anders' father received orders to billet in [[Nanjing]], China. After the family moved there, the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]] erupted in 1937, followed by Japan invading China. In December of that year, his father was serving as the executive officer of the [[river gunboat]] {{USS|Panay|PR-5|6}} when he was wounded as the ship was [[USS Panay incident|attacked and sunk by Japanese bombers]]. As the Japanese began to advance toward Nanjing, Anders and his mother fled by taking a train to [[Guangzhou]].<ref name="Arthur F. Anders" /><ref name="airportjournals" />

From the porch of the Guangzhou hotel in which they stayed, they could see Japanese aircraft bombing ships on the [[Pearl River]] {{convert|200|yards}} away. This was ominous since the river was their only means of escape. In addition to the threat of Japanese aircraft, the river was [[naval mine|mined]] and there was the danger of being boarded by bandits. Foreigners were allocated special areas on the boat and separated from Chinese people by barbed wire. They eventually reached the Philippines, where they awaited news of his father. Arthur Anders was rescued by the British and sent to [[Naval Medical Center San Diego|San Diego Naval Hospital]] to recover from his wounds and a [[staphylococcal infection]]. He was awarded the [[Purple Heart]] and the [[Navy Cross]] but was discharged from the Navy owing to his wounds. He was recalled to active duty during [[World War II]].<ref name="Arthur F. Anders">{{cite news | first= Eric | last= Pace | url= https://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/31/us/arthur-f-anders-96-hero-aboard-us-gunboat-in-1937.html | title= Arthur F. Anders, 96, Hero Aboard U.S. Gunboat in 1937 | work= [[The New York Times]] | date= 31 August 2000 | access-date= 8 November 2012 | archive-date= 17 December 2014 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141217231601/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/31/us/arthur-f-anders-96-hero-aboard-us-gunboat-in-1937.html | url-status= live }}</ref><ref name="airportjournals">{{cite web |last1=Freeze |first1=Di |title=Bill Anders: A Love of Afterburners |website=Airport Journals |date=1 April 2007 |url=http://airportjournals.com/bill-anders-a-love-of-afterburners/ |access-date=15 March 2015 |archive-date=15 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415144558/http://airportjournals.com/bill-anders-a-love-of-afterburners/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The family returned to the United States, where Anders was active in the [[Boy Scouts of America|Boy Scouts]], achieving the organization's second-highest rank, [[Life Scout]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Astronauts With Scouting Experience |date=31 July 2019 |publisher=IEEE |url=https://r5.ieee.org/houston/astronauts-with-scouting-experience/ |access-date=7 August 2022 |archive-date=18 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818023732/https://r5.ieee.org/houston/astronauts-with-scouting-experience/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Astronauts With Scouting Experience |publisher=Boy Scouts of America |url=http://www.usscouts.org/eagle/eagleastronauts.asp |access-date=7 August 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501182242/http://www.usscouts.org/eagle/eagleastronauts.asp |url-status=live }}</ref> As a teen, Anders attended St Martin's Academy and [[Grossmont High School]] in [[El Cajon, California]].{{sfn|Newland|2010|p=109}} To improve his grades so that he could be accepted at the [[United States Naval Academy]] in [[Annapolis, Maryland]], Anders was sent to the Boyden School, a military academy prep school in downtown [[San Diego]].<ref name="airportjournals" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-03 |title=Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders killed in plane crash |url=https://richmond.com/news/nation-world/apollo-8-william-anders-earthrise-plane-crash-washington/article_94e6576c-0461-5eab-b450-66d3d27a129c.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240903153211/https://richmond.com/news/nation-world/apollo-8-william-anders-earthrise-plane-crash-washington/article_94e6576c-0461-5eab-b450-66d3d27a129c.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2024-09-03 |access-date=2024-11-15 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press |date=2024-06-07 |title=Former astronaut William Anders, who took iconic Earthrise photo, killed in Washington plane crash |url=https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/06/07/nation/former-astronaut-william-anders-who-took-iconic-earthrise-photo-killed-in-washington-plane-crash/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=Bangor Daily News |language=en-US}}</ref> He commuted to Boyden by bus from [[La Mesa, California]]. The school lay under the flight path into [[San Diego International Airport|Lindbergh Field]] and aircraft such as the huge [[Convair B-36 Peacemaker]] would fly low over the school. He was fascinated with flight and built model aircraft. He graduated from Boyden in 1951.<ref name="airportjournals" />

== United States Air Force ==
Anders received an appointment to Annapolis, following in the footsteps of his father, who had graduated with the Class of 1927. He earned a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in [[electrical engineering]] in 1955. Part of the course was orientation cruises during which midshipmen could experience life at sea. A cruise on board an aircraft carrier convinced him that he did not want to become a [[naval aviator]]: there were too many fatal accidents. Upon graduation in 1955 he chose to be commissioned a [[second lieutenant]] in the [[United States Air Force]] (USAF).<ref name="usaf"/>{{efn|A 1949 agreement allowed up to 25&nbsp;percent of the graduating classes of West Point and Annapolis to volunteer for the Air Force. Between 1950, when the agreement became effective, and 1959, when the first class graduated from the [[United States Air Force Academy]], about 3,200 West Point cadets and Annapolis midshipmen chose to do so.{{sfn|Mitchell|1996|pp=60–61}}}} While at Annapolis he met Valerie Elizabeth Hoard on a blind date. [[Midshipman|Midshipmen]] were not allowed to marry, but they were married soon after he graduated.<ref name="airportjournals" /> They had six children&nbsp;— Alan (born in 1957), Glen (born in 1958), Gayle (born in 1960), Gregory (born in 1962), Eric (born in 1964) and Diana (born in 1972).<ref>{{cite report |title=Nominees to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Hearings Before the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, Congress of the United States – Part 1: Nomination of William A. Anders |year=1975 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=US Government Printing Office |pages=2–3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zngQAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA3 |access-date=7 August 2022 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001221941/https://books.google.com/books?id=zngQAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA3 |url-status=live }}</ref>

After graduation, Anders reported for flight training, which was conducted in the piston-engine [[Beechcraft T-34 Mentor]] and [[North American T-28 Trojan]] and then in the jet [[Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star]]. After receiving his [[U.S. Air Force aeronautical rating|pilot wings]] in 1956 he became a [[fighter pilot]] with the [[84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]], an all-weather interceptor squadron of the [[Air Defense Command]] based at [[Hamilton Air Force Base]] in California, flying [[Northrop F-89 Scorpion]]s equipped with [[MB-1]] nuclear-tipped air-to-air rockets. He then served with the [[57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]] in Iceland, where he participated in intercepts of Soviet heavy bombers, which were challenging America's air defense borders. After a year he returned to the 84th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Hamilton, which was now flying the [[McDonnell F-101 Voodoo]].<ref name="airportjournals" /><ref name="usaf">{{cite web |title=Bill Anders |publisher=United States Air Force |url=http://www.acc.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=10522 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314231616/http://www.acc.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=10522 |archive-date=14 March 2008 }}</ref>

Anders set his sights on becoming a [[test pilot]]. He spoke to [[Chuck Yeager]], who recommended that he first obtain an [[advanced degree]]. Anders submitted an application to the [[Air Force Institute of Technology]] (AFIT) at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]] in [[Ohio]], hoping to study [[aeronautical engineering]], but the [[Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion]] program was ongoing, and the AFIT had him study [[nuclear engineering]] instead. While there he took a course in aeronautical engineering at [[Ohio State University]]. He graduated from the AFIT with a [[Master of Science]] degree in nuclear engineering in 1962. By that time the Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion program had been canceled so he was assigned to the [[Air Force Weapons Laboratory]] at [[Kirtland Air Force Base]] in [[New Mexico]], where he was responsible for the technical management of the [[nuclear power reactor]] programs.<ref name="airportjournals" /><ref name="usaf" /><ref name="nasabio">{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/anders_williams.pdf |title=William A. Anders (Major General, USAF Reserve, Ret.) |access-date=8 January 2021 |date=December 2014 |publisher=NASA |archive-date=16 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916045110/https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/anders_williams.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

== NASA ==

=== Selection and training ===
[[File:The Apollo 8 prime crew stands in foreground as the Apollo space vehicle.jpg|thumb|Anders (right) with fellow Apollo 8 crewmates [[Jim Lovell]] (center) and [[Frank Borman]] (left)]]

Anders now applied to the USAF [[Aerospace Research Pilots School]] (ARPS) for test pilot training,<ref name="airportjournals" /> but on 5 June 1963, the [[National Aeronautics and Space Administration]] (NASA) announced that it would be recruiting ten to fifteen new [[astronauts]] for [[Project Gemini]] and [[Project Apollo]],{{sfn|Morse|Bays|1973|p=61}} and Anders decided to apply for that too. In two previous astronaut selections, applicants had to be test pilots, but this time it was preferred but not required, making Anders eligible. He was one of the 34 finalists chosen for interviews, and on his birthday, 17 October 1963, he was informed by [[Mercury Seven]] astronaut [[Deke Slayton]] that he had been accepted as a member of the [[NASA Astronaut Group 3|third group]] of NASA astronauts. Three days later, Yeager informed him that he had failed to make the cut for the ARPS but recommended that he apply again the following year.<ref name="airportjournals" /><ref name="roundup">{{cite magazine |magazine=NASA Roundup |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=1, 4, 5, 7 |url=https://historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov/JSCHistoryPortal/history/roundups/issues/63-10-30.pdf |title=14 New Astronauts Introduced at Press Conference |publisher=NASA |date=30 October 1963 |access-date=9 August 2022 |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727174139/https://historycollection.jsc.nasa.gov/JSCHistoryPortal/history/roundups/issues/63-10-30.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

While at NASA, he became involved in [[dosimetry]], radiation effects, and environmental controls.<ref name="nasabio" /> In September 1966, he was the backup pilot for the [[Gemini 11]] mission, with [[Neil Armstrong]] as the backup commander. This would have put him in line to fly a Gemini 13 mission, but no such mission was flown; Project Gemini ended with [[Gemini 12]]. Armstrong and Anders then became the first astronauts to fly the [[Lunar Landing Training Vehicle]]. The astronauts in his group without test pilot training—Anders, [[Roger B. Chaffee]], [[Walter Cunningham]], [[Rusty Schweickart]], [[Gene Cernan]], and [[Buzz Aldrin]]—were assigned to Apollo crews as the [[lunar module pilot|Lunar Module pilot]] (LMP), the lowest-ranking crew member.<ref name="airportjournals" /><ref name="roundup" />

=== Apollo 8 ===
[[File:As8 genesis1a.ogv|thumb|The [[Apollo 8]] 1968 Christmas Eve [[Apollo 8 Genesis reading|broadcast and reading]] from the [[Book of Genesis]] while in lunar orbit]]
On 22 December 1966, Anders was assigned to the third Apollo mission, which was to be commanded by [[Frank Borman]], with [[command module pilot]] (CMP) [[Michael Collins (astronaut)|Michael Collins]]; Neil Armstrong, [[Jim Lovell]] and Buzz Aldrin were assigned as their backup crew the following year.{{sfn|Brooks|Grimwood|Swenson|1979|p=374}} Collins was replaced by Lovell in July 1968, after suffering a [[Spinal disc herniation|cervical disc herniation]] that required surgery to repair.{{sfn|Collins|2001|pp=288–294}} The mission, scheduled for December 1968, was intended to be a second test of the [[Apollo Lunar Module]] (LM) in medium Earth orbit,{{sfn|Brooks|Grimwood|Swenson|1979|pp=231–234}} but the delivery of the LM fell behind schedule, and when it arrived at the [[Kennedy Space Center]] (KSC) in June 1968, more than a hundred significant defects were discovered. There was no prospect of it being ready to fly in 1968.{{sfn|Brooks|Grimwood|Swenson|1979|p=256}} In August 1968, there were reports, including one from the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]], that the [[Soviet Union]] was planning a crewed circumlunar mission before the end of the year.{{sfn|Borman|Serling|1988|p=189}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Poised for the Leap |url=http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,844661-1,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204221712/http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,844661-1,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 February 2013 |access-date=15 December 2011 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=6 December 1968 }}</ref>

Although the LM would not be ready to fly in December 1968, the [[Apollo command and service module]] (CSM) would be, so a CSM-only mission could be flown. It could be sent to the Moon, entering lunar orbit before returning to Earth.{{sfn|Brooks|Grimwood|Swenson|1979|pp=257–260}} Slayton asked [[James McDivitt]], the designated commander of the second mission, if he still wanted to fly it. McDivitt turned it down; his crew had spent a great deal of time preparing to test the LM, and that was what he still wanted to do.{{sfn|Brooks|Grimwood|Swenson|1979|p=262}} When Borman was asked the same question, he answered "yes" without any hesitation.{{sfn|Borman|Serling|1988|p=189}} Slayton then decided to swap the crews and spacecraft, so Borman, Lovell, and Anders' mission became [[Apollo 8]].{{sfn|Brooks|Grimwood|Swenson|1979|p=262}}{{sfn|Collins|2001|pp=296–298}} Anders was less enthusiastic about being the Lunar Module pilot of a mission without a Lunar Module.

According to Borman:{{blockquote|Rookie Bill Anders was thirty-five, slightly built, a devout Roman Catholic, and very serious minded. I'm not sure he ever got used to my rough sense of humor or Lovell's free-wheeling spirit. But Anders was one hell of a worker, a superb technician and all in all a great guy. Anders was always friendly and cooperative, but he avoided the usual astronaut bull sessions. Some of the guys regarded him as a younger version of Frank Borman in his single-minded concentration on work, his aversion to unnecessary conversation.{{sfn|Borman|Serling|1988|p=189}} }}

==== Earthrise ====
{{Main|Earthrise}}
[[File:NASA-Apollo8-Dec24-Earthrise.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Earthrise]]'', taken by Anders on 24 December 1968]]

In December 1968, Anders flew on the Apollo 8 mission, the first mission where humans traveled beyond [[low-Earth orbit]],<ref name="nasabio" /> and the first crewed flight to reach and orbit the Moon.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chasing the Moon: Transcript, Part Two |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/chasing-moon/#transcript |website=American Experience |publisher=PBS |access-date=24 July 2019 |date=10 July 2019 |archive-date=31 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831002908/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/chasing-moon/#transcript |url-status=live }}</ref> When the spacecraft came out from behind the Moon for its fourth pass across the front, the crew witnessed an "Earthrise" for the first time in human history.<ref name="journal day 4-456" /> NASA's [[Lunar Orbiter 1]] had taken the first picture of an Earthrise from the vicinity of the Moon, on 23 August 1966.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sservi.nasa.gov/articles/the-other-lunar-orbiter-1-earthrise-image/ |title=The 'Other' Lunar Orbiter 1 Earthrise Image |publisher=Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute |access-date=28 November 2018 |archive-date=25 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325203153/https://sservi.nasa.gov/articles/the-other-lunar-orbiter-1-earthrise-image/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Anders saw the Earth emerging from behind the lunar horizon and called in excitement to the others, taking a black-and-white photograph as he did so. Anders asked Lovell for color film and then took ''[[Earthrise]]'', which was later picked by ''[[Life (magazine)|Life]]'' magazine as one of its hundred photos of the century.<ref name="journal day 4-456">{{cite web |url=https://history.nasa.gov/ap08fj/14day4_orbits456.htm |title=Day 4: Lunar Orbits 4, 5 and 6 |last1=Woods |first1=W. David |last2=O'Brien |first2=Frank |date=22 April 2006 |work=Apollo 8 Flight Journal |publisher=NASA |access-date=20 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002204030/https://history.nasa.gov/ap08fj/14day4_orbits456.htm |archive-date=2 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/who-took-legendary-earthrise-photo-apollo-8-180967505/ |title=Who Took the Legendary Earthrise Photo From Apollo 8? |magazine=Smithsonian |first=Andrew |last=Chaikin |access-date=28 November 2018 |archive-date=28 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728035707/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/who-took-legendary-earthrise-photo-apollo-8-180967505/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Anders reflected on the lasting impact of the Earthrise photograph, noting that it gained iconic status over time and helped people realize the need to take care of our fragile planet. He remarked on the photograph's message for humanity, highlighting the contrast between our only home and the conflicts, including nuclear threats and terrorism, that we face. "It amazes me."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/dec/24/earthrise-how-the-iconic-image-changed-the-world|title=Earthrise: how the iconic image changed the world|last=Sample|first=Ian|date=24 December 2018|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=24 December 2018|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=8 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608003849/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/dec/24/earthrise-how-the-iconic-image-changed-the-world|url-status=live}}</ref>
According to Anders:

{{blockquote
| text=We came all this way to explore the Moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-at-the-National-Academy-of-Sciences-Annual-Meeting|publisher=[[White House]]|title=Remarks by the President at the National Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting|via=[[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives]]|date=April 27, 2009|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-date=22 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122191356/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-national-academy-sciences-annual-meeting|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="nmspacemuseum">{{cite web|url=http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=71|title=Lunar Module pilot on Apollo 8, the first mission to circumnavigate the Moon|website=nmspacemuseum.org|publisher=New Mexico Museum of Space History|access-date=25 April 2012|archive-date=13 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313222058/http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=71|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

On conservation of the planet, he said:
{{blockquote|If you can imagine yourself in a darkened room with only one clearly visible object, a small blue-green sphere about the size of a Christmas-tree ornament, then you can begin to grasp what the Earth looks like from space. I think that all of us subconsciously think that the Earth is flat&nbsp;... Let me assure you that, rather than a massive giant, it should be thought of as the fragile Christmas-tree ball which we should handle with considerable care.{{sfn|Nicks|1970|p=14}}}}

The Apollo 8 command module splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on 27 December after a flight lasting 147 hours and 42 seconds and a voyage of {{convert|504006|nmi|km|order=out}}. It landed just {{convert|2|nmi|km|order=out}} from the recovery ship, the [[aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Yorktown|CV-10|6}}.{{sfn|Orloff|2000|p=40}} Due to [[time dilation]], the three astronauts had aged about 300 microseconds more than people back on Earth.{{sfn|Science and Technology Division, Library of Congress|1970|p=71}}

=== Apollo 11 ===
The July 1969 [[Apollo 11]] mission was commanded by Armstrong, with Collins as the CMP and Aldrin as the LMP. The Apollo 8 crew became its backup, but without Borman. Lovell stepped up to become the backup commander, and Anders became the backup CMP, with rookie astronaut [[Fred Haise]] as the backup LMP.{{sfn|Brooks|Grimwood|Swenson|1979|p=374}}{{sfn|Orloff|2000|p=90}}

== NASC, AEC, and NRC ==
Anders could see that Project Apollo was coming to a close and felt that his chances of commanding a Moon mission were slim.{{sfn|Logsdon|2015|p=51}} On 16 May 1969, President [[Richard Nixon]] nominated him to become the executive secretary of the [[National Space Council|National Aeronautics and Space Council]] (NASC). This was the highest government post ever offered to an astronaut up to that time.{{sfn|Science and Technology Division, Library of Congress|1970|p=141}} He was confirmed by the [[United States Senate]] on 19 June.{{sfn|Science and Technology Division, Library of Congress|1970|p=184}} The Space Council consisted of the [[Administrator of NASA]], the [[United States Atomic Energy Commission#AEC Chair|Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission]] (AEC), and the [[United States Secretary of State|Secretaries of State]], [[United States Secretary of Defense|Defense]], and [[United States Secretary of Transportation|Transportation]], and was chaired by the Vice President.{{sfn|Logsdon|2015|p=136}} Due to his commitment to the Apollo 11 backup crew, Anders was unable to assume the position until August.{{sfn|Logsdon|2015|p=51}}{{sfn|Slayton|Cassutt|1994|p=237}}

[[File:Greg Anders sprays Bill Anders with the fire hose.jpg|thumb|right|Anders sprayed with a fire hose by his son Greg at [[Davis–Monthan Air Force Base]] in 2008]]
In his new role, Anders was responsible for developing aeronautical and space policy.<ref name="nasabio" /> He worked closely with the [[President's Science Advisory Committee|Office of Science and Technology]] (OST) and the [[Office of Management and Budget]] (OMB) and became a personal advisor to the OMB director, [[Caspar Weinberger]].{{sfn|Logsdon|2015|p=51}} Anders worked hard to bridge the gap between OMB and OST on the one hand and NASA on the other. He became increasingly pessimistic about the future of the NASC and the space program generally. He opposed the development of the [[Space Shuttle]], urging instead that NASA concentrate on developing the [[Skylab]] space station.{{sfn|Logsdon|2015|p=200}} He argued that a small Space Shuttle would be a better option than a large one, but the large one was approved because it would involve more jobs in California.<ref name="airportjournals" /> Frustrated with the NASC's lack of influence, he recommended in 1972 that it be abolished.{{sfn|Logsdon|2015|p=200}} This was done on 30 June 1973.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Aeronautics and Space Council. 7/29/1958-6/30/1973 |publisher=National Archives |url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10460295 |access-date=11 August 2022 |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811004351/https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10460295 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nixon was impressed by Anders and wanted to retain him in the administration.{{sfn|Logsdon|2015|p=199}} On 6 August 1973, he appointed Anders to the five-member AEC. Nixon felt that the commission was dominated by lawyers and he wanted an engineer on it. The chairman of the AEC, [[Dixy Lee Ray]], appointed Anders to be the lead commissioner for nuclear and non-nuclear power [[research and development]]. He also served as the U.S. chairman of the joint US-Soviet Union [[nuclear fission]] and [[nuclear fusion|fusion]] power technology exchange program.<ref name="nasabio" /><ref name="airportjournals" /> He spent much of his time dealing with the AEC's problematic research and development programs, particularly the troubled [[breeder reactor]] program.{{sfn|Gillette|1975|pp=1173–1175}}

One issue that had dogged the AEC since its inception was its dual role in both developing nuclear energy and regulating it. The perception that there was a conflict of interest between the two roles became acute with the growth of the nuclear power industry.{{sfn|Gillette|1975|pp=1173–1175}} On 19 January 1975, the commission was split in two, with its research and development responsibilities assumed by the [[Energy Research and Development Administration]] (ERDA), and its regulatory ones by the [[Nuclear Regulatory Commission]] (NRC). Some 1,970 former employees of the AEC joined the NRC.{{sfn|Buck|1983|p=18}} President [[Gerald Ford]] appointed Anders as the first chairman of the NRC. He was the only one of the five AEC commissioners to transition to one of the new organizations. Anders made the decision process of the commissioners of the NRC more transparent than that of the AEC. The NRC inherited [[Nuclear safety and security|nuclear safety]] and environmental compatibility functions from the AEC, but unlike the AEC's regulatory branch, the NRC had its own safety and security research capability, so it was not reliant on the ERDA.{{sfn|Gillette|1975|pp=1173–1175}}

After his term as NRC chairman, Anders was asked if he would be interested in an ambassadorship. He did not want to, but asked his wife Valerie. She expressed an interest in Norway, based on their trip there during the Apollo 8 world publicity tour. So Anders asked if Norway was available. [[Lawrence Eagleburger]] submitted his name for the position.<ref name="airportjournals" /> Anders was appointed [[List of ambassadors of the United States to Norway|Ambassador to Norway]] on 13 April 1976 and held that post until 18 June 1977.<ref>{{cite web |title=William Alison Anders |publisher=United States Department of State |url=https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/anders-william-allison |access-date=11 August 2022 |archive-date=1 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001221954/https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/anders-william-allison |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Private sector ==
Anders served briefly as a fellow of the [[American Enterprise Institute]]. In September 1977, he joined [[General Electric]] (GE) as its vice president and general manager of its Nuclear Products Division. Based in [[San Jose, California]], Anders was responsible for the [[nuclear fuel|fuel]], equipment, and instrumentation used in its [[boiling water reactor]]s in San Jose and [[Wilmington, North Carolina]]. He also oversaw GE's partnership with [[Chicago Bridge & Iron Company]], which manufactured large steel pressure vessels in [[Memphis, Tennessee]]. In August 1979, GE sent him to [[Harvard Business School]] to attend its six-week [[Harvard Business School#Advanced Management Program|Advanced Management Program]]. On 1 January 1980, he became the general manager of the GE Aircraft Equipment Division. From its headquarters in [[Utica, New York]], the division controlled more than 8,500 employees in five locations in the northeastern United States. Its products included aircraft flight and weapon control systems, cockpit instruments, aircraft electrical generating systems, airborne radars and data processing systems, electronic countermeasures, space command systems, and aircraft/surface multi-barrel armament systems.<ref name="nasabio" />

In 1984, Anders left GE to join [[Textron]] as its executive vice president for aerospace. Two years later he became senior executive vice president for operations,<ref name="nasabio" /> but Anders did not get along well with the CEO. A perk of the job was that he got to fly [[Bell Textron|Bell helicopters]], as Bell was a subsidiary of Textron.<ref name="airportjournals" /> During his time in the civil service, Anders had remained in the Air Force as a reservist and had retained his active flight status flying NASA [[Northrop T-38 Talon]] aircraft and helicopters, retiring from the reserves as a [[major general (United States)|major general]] in 1988. He was also a consultant to the U.S. [[Office of Science and Technology Policy]], and a member of the [[Defense Science Board]] and the [[NASA#NASA Advisory Council|NASA Advisory Council]].<ref name="usaf"/>

===General Dynamics board===
Anders became vice chairman of [[General Dynamics]] in January 1990, and on 1 January 1991, its chairman and CEO.<ref name = "GD CEO">{{cite news
 |last1        = Goodman
 |first1       = Adam
 |title        = Stepping Down: Pace Reflects on Years At The Top
 |work         = [[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]
 |date         = 19 December 1990
|page         = 8F
 |url          = https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-stepping-down-p/149016427/
 |access-date  = 9 June 2024
|url-access   = subscription
 |via          = Newspapers.com
 |archive-date = 9 June 2024
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20240609193810/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-stepping-down-p/149016427/
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref> Soon after he took over as CEO, the company lost $700 million (equivalent to ${{#expr:({{Inflation|US|700|1991|r=-2}}/1000) round 2}}&nbsp;billion in {{Inflation/year|US}}) in write-offs over the canceled [[McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II|A-12 Avenger II]] program.<ref name = "Anders & A-12">{{cite news
 |last1        = Goodman
 |first1       = Adam
 |title        = Dynamic Force
 |work         = St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 |date         = 2 June 1991
|pages        = 1E, 6E
 |url          = https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-execs-general-d/149012387/
 |access-date  = 9 June 2024
|url-access   = subscription
 |via          = Newspapers.com
 |archive-date = 10 June 2024
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20240610183803/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-execs-general-d/149012387/
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref> The January 1991 cancelation directly caused about 3,500 employees to be laid-off at the [[Fort Worth, Texas]] plant that built the A-12.<ref name = "Fort Worth Layoffs">{{cite news
 |last1        = Hutcheson
 |first1       = Ron
 |title        = Cheney decides to kill the A-12
 |work         = [[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]]
 |date         = 8 January 1991
|pages        = A1, A12
 |url          = https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-cheney-decides/149024609/
 |accessdate   = 9 June 2024
|url-access   = subscription
 |via          = Newspapers.com
 |archive-date = 9 June 2024
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20240609213235/https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-cheney-decides/149024609/
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref> On 19 June 1991, Anders announced that General Dynamics was moving its corporate headquarters from [[St. Louis, Missouri]], to [[Falls Church, Virginia]], to be closer to its military customers at [[The Pentagon]].<ref name = "Anders Announces HQ Move">{{cite news
 |last1        = Flannery
 |first1       = William
 |title        = General Dynamics Moving Out
 |work         = St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 |date         = 20 June 1991
|page         = 5E
 |url          = https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-general-dynamics/149022033/
 |access-date  = 9 June 2024
|url-access   = subscription
 |via          = Newspapers.com
 |archive-date = 10 June 2024
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20240610183728/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-general-dynamics/149022033/
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref> The move started on 20 December 1991, with 110 of the 275 headquarters employees moving to the [[Capital Beltway|Washington Beltway]] location, and 50 remaining in the accounting office in St. Louis, leaving 115 unemployed.<ref name = "HQ Dec Move">{{cite news
 |last1        = Goodman
 |first1       = Adam
 |title        = It's Official: General Dynamics Picks Friday To Move Head Office To Capital
 |work         = St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 |date         = 18 December 1991
|page         = 10D
 |url          = https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-its-official-g/149021622/
 |access-date  = 9 June 2024
|url-access   = subscription
 |via          = Newspapers.com
 |archive-date = 10 June 2024
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20240610183747/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-its-official-g/149021622/
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref>

When Anders took over, General Dynamics was in financial trouble.<ref name = "GD Big Losses">{{cite news
 |last1        = Picht
 |first1       = Ralph
 |title        = General Dynamics posts huge loss
 |work         = The Belleville News-Democrat
 |location     = [[Belleville, Illinois]]
 |date         = 7 February 1991
|page         = 4B
 |agency       = The Associated Press
 |url          = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-belleville-news-democrat-general-dyn/149029006/
 |access-date  = 9 June 2024
|url-access   = subscription
 |via          = Newspapers.com
 |archive-date = 10 June 2024
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20240610183934/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-belleville-news-democrat-general-dyn/149029006/
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref> The quarter before he became chairman and CEO was the worst ever in the company's history, losing $858 million (equivalent to ${{#expr:({{Inflation|US|858|1991|r=-2}}/1000) round 2}}&nbsp;billion in {{Inflation/year|US}}) between October and December 1990.<ref name = "GD's worst Quarter">{{cite news
 |last2        = Broder
 |first2       = John
 |last1        = Vartabedian
 |first1       = Ralph
 |title        = Jet Cancellation Cited in General Dynamics' Loss
 |work         = [[Los Angeles Times]]
 |date         = 7 February 1991
|pages        = D3
 |url          = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-jet-cancellation-c/149026637/
 |access-date  = 9 June 2024
|url-access   = subscription
 |via          = Newspapers.com
 |archive-date = 10 June 2024
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20240610183853/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-jet-cancellation-c/149026637/
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref> Anders sold off nearly $3&nbsp;billion (equivalent to ${{#expr:({{Inflation|US|3000|1992|r=-2}}/1000) round 2}}&nbsp;billion in {{Inflation/year|US}}) in assets, including the missile systems and [[Cessna]]. On 9 December 1992, he sold the military aircraft division to the [[Lockheed Corporation]] for $1.5&nbsp;billion (equivalent to ${{#expr:({{Inflation|US|1500|1992|r=-2}}/1000) round 2}}&nbsp;billion in {{Inflation/year|US}}), which included the [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 jet fighter]].<ref name = "Selloff to Lockheed">{{cite news
 |last1        = Harmon
 |first1       = Amy
 |last2        = Vartabedian
 |first2       = Ralph
 |title        = Lockheed Vaults to Top of Jet Fighter Business
 |work         = Los Angeles Times
 |date         = 10 December 1992
|pages        = B5–B6
 |url          = https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-general-dynamics-s/149007921/
 |access-date  = 9 June 2024
|url-access   = subscription
 |via          = Newspapers.com
 |archive-date = 9 June 2024
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20240609175142/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-general-dynamics-s/149007921/
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref> These selloffs reduced the number of employees from 98,600 to around 35,000, and the company's debt from $430&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|430|1994|r=-2}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation/year|US}}) to $183&nbsp;million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|US|183|1994|r=-2}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation/year|US}}). Value was returned to the shareholders in the form of $600&nbsp;million in dividends. Although annual sales dropped from $10 to $3.5&nbsp;billion, the value of the company's share price quadrupled. Anders earned over $40&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Big Payout by General Dynamics |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |first=Calvin |last=Sims |date=19 March 1993 |page=D1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/19/business/big-payout-by-general-dynamics.html |access-date=11 August 2022 |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811193911/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/19/business/big-payout-by-general-dynamics.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=General Dynamics CEO to Step Down |first=Steven |last=Pearlstein |date=19 March 1993 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1993/03/19/general-dynamics-ceo-to-step-down/acca6850-0766-4d3b-8c40-a0893a21d586/ |access-date=11 August 2022 | url-access = subscription}}</ref> He retired as CEO in 1993,<ref name = "Steps down as CEO">{{cite news
 |author       = Tribune Staff
 |agency       = Tribune Wire Service
 |title        = Cuts at General Dynamics base
 |work         = [[Chicago Tribune]]
 |date         = 19 March 1993
|page         = 43
 |url          = https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-bill-anders-steps-down-a/149005225/
 |access-date  = 9 June 2024
|url-access   = subscription
 |via          = Newspapers.com
 |archive-date = 10 June 2024
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20240610183653/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-bill-anders-steps-down-a/149005225/
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref> and as chairman on 4 May 1994.<ref name="Steps down as Chairman">{{cite news
 |author       = AP Staff
 |agency       = The Associated Press
 |title        = EB's parent may buy or sell some businesses
 |work         = [[Hartford Courant]]
 |date         = 5 May 1994
|pages        = C1–C2
 |url          = https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-bill-anders-steps-down-a/149006441/
 |access-date  = 9 June 2024
|url-access   = subscription
 |via          = Newspapers.com
 |archive-date = 10 June 2024
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20240610183655/https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant-willam-a-anders-steps/149006441/
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref>
[[File:Bergen Air Show 075.jpg|thumb|right|Anders taxiing a [[North American P-51 Mustang]] at [[Bergen]] Air Show in 2005]]

==Retirement and death==
Following retirement, Anders and his wife purchased a house in [[Anacortes, Washington]], overlooking [[Puget Sound]] and [[Burrows Island Light|Burrows Island]]. After realizing he disliked the winters in northwest Washington, he purchased a second home in [[Point Loma, California]].<ref name="airportjournals" />

Anders later established the William A. Anders Foundation, a philanthropic organization for the benefit of educational and environmental issues. He also founded the [[Heritage Flight Museum]] in 1996 in [[Bellingham, Washington]], which moved to [[Skagit Regional Airport]] in [[Burlington, Washington]], in 2014. This is run by his family, with Anders as president until 2008, his wife Valerie as secretary, son Greg as vice president, executive director and webmaster, and son Alan as vice president and director of maintenance.<ref name="airportjournals" /><ref name="museumofflight">{{cite web | author = Museum Staff | year = 2016 | location = Seattle | url = http://www.museumofflight.org/News/2267/quotthe-first-earthrisequot-apollo-8-astronaut-bill-anders-recalls-the-first | title = 'The First Earthrise' Apollo 8 Astronaut Bill Anders recalls the first mission to the Moon | access-date = 9 June 2024 | website = The Museum of Flight | archive-date = 18 October 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161018230458/http://www.museumofflight.org/News/2267/quotthe-first-earthrisequot-apollo-8-astronaut-bill-anders-recalls-the-first | url-status = dead}}</ref>

Anders died on 7 June 2024, at the age of 90, while flying the vintage [[Beechcraft T-34 Mentor|T-34]] registered to him.<ref name = "USA Today OBIT">
{{Cite news
| last1          = Robledo
| first1         = Anthony
| title          = Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders, who took famous 'Earthrise' photo, dies in plane crash
| date           = 7 June 2024
| url            = https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/06/07/plane-crash-astronaut-william-anders-dies/74021418007/
| access-date    = 9 June 2024
| archive-url    = https://web.archive.org/web/20240609061603/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/06/07/plane-crash-astronaut-william-anders-dies/74021418007/
| archive-date   = 9 June 2024
| url-status     = live
}}</ref> The aircraft crashed into the waters of north Puget Sound between [[Jones Island State Park|Jones Island]] and [[Orcas Island]]<ref name ="Crash Location">
{{Cite news
| author       = KCPQ Staff
| title        = Video shows fiery small plane crash into WA waters near Orcas Island
| work         = [[KCPQ | FOX 13]]
| location     = [[Tacoma]]
| date         = 7 June 2024
| url          = https://www.ktvu.com/news/san-juan-islands-plane-crash
| access-date  = 8 June 2024
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240608101750/https://www.ktvu.com/news/san-juan-islands-plane-crash
| archive-date = 8 June 2024
| url-status   = live 
}}</ref><ref name = "NPR Obit">{{cite news | last1 = Lewis | first1 = Russell |title= NASA astronaut Bill Anders, who took famous photo of Earth during Apollo, dies at 90 |date= 7 June 2024 |work = [[NPR]] |url= https://www.npr.org/2024/06/07/401128365/nasa-astronaut-bill-anders-apollo-8-dead |access-date= 8 June 2024 |archive-date= 8 June 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240608032126/https://www.npr.org/2024/06/07/401128365/nasa-astronaut-bill-anders-apollo-8-dead |url-status= live }}</ref><ref name = "NYT Obit">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/07/science/william-a-anders-dead.html | title=William A. Anders, Who Flew on First Manned Orbit of the Moon, Dies at 90 | work=The New York Times | last1=Goldstein | first1=Richard | date=8 June 2024 | access-date=8 June 2024 | archive-date=8 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608025258/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/07/science/william-a-anders-dead.html | url-status=live }}</ref> and was seen by witnesses as going down into a small channel between the two islands, then sinking after catching fire.<ref name= "USAT Obit">{{Cite news |last1=Robledo |first1=Anthony |title=Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders, who took famous 'Earthrise' photo, dies in plane crash | date = 7 June 2024| work = USA TODAY | url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/06/07/plane-crash-astronaut-william-anders-dies/74021418007/ |access-date=8 June 2024 |archive-date= 8 June 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240608030651/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/06/07/plane-crash-astronaut-william-anders-dies/74021418007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After witnesses reported seeing the plane take a nosedive and crash in the water, a search was launched by the U.S. Coast Guard and the San Juan County Sheriff's Department.<ref name = "People Obit">
{{cite magazine
| last         = Flam
| first        = Charna
| date         = 7 June 2024
| title        = Former Apollo 8 Astronaut William Anders Dead at 90 After Plane Crash in Washington
| url          = https://people.com/former-apollo-8-astronaut-william-anders-dead-after-plane-crash-in-washington-8660449
| url-status   = live
| magazine     = [[People (magazine)|People]]
| location     = New York
| publisher    = [[Dotdash Meredith]]
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20240609110105/https://people.com/former-apollo-8-astronaut-william-anders-dead-after-plane-crash-in-washington-8660449
| archive-date = 9 June 2024
| access-date  = 9 June 2024
| issn         = 0093-7673
}}</ref> Later that day, Anders' son, Greg, confirmed the death of his father and that his body had been recovered.<ref name = "Fox13 Obit">{{Cite news | author = KCPQ Staff |date=7 June 2024 |title=San Juan Islands plane crash pilot identified: Who is William Anders? |work = FOX 13 | location = Tacoma |url=https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/william-anders-wa-plane-crash |access-date=7 June 2024 |archive-date=7 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607231051/https://www.fox13seattle.com/news/william-anders-wa-plane-crash |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = "AP Obit">{{Cite news | last1 = Johnson | first1 = Gene|
 last2 = McAvoy | first2 = Audrey | date = 7 June 2024 | title = Former astronaut William Anders who took iconic Earthrise photo has died in Washington plane crash | url = https://apnews.com/article/plane-crash-san-juan-islands-washington-6d3800130ef4e67d761f96b328f7c263 | access-date=8 June 2024 | work = [[The Associated Press]] | location = Seattle |archive-date=8 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608002259/https://apnews.com/article/plane-crash-san-juan-islands-washington-6d3800130ef4e67d761f96b328f7c263 |url-status=live }}</ref> Beginning with his Air Force career, Anders had logged over 8,000 flight hours.<ref name="heritageflight">{{cite web |url=https://heritageflight.org/about/maj-gen-bill-anders/ |title=Maj. Gen. William A. Anders |publisher=Heritage Flight Museum |access-date=11 August 2022 |archive-date=11 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811024906/https://heritageflight.org/about/maj-gen-bill-anders/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Publications ==
* {{cite journal |last1=Kulp |first1=B. A. |last2=Detweiler |first2=R. M. |last3=Anders |first3=W. A. |title=Temperature Dependence of Edge Emission in Single-Crystal Cadmium Sulfide |journal=[[Physical Review]] |volume=131 |issue=5 |pages=2036–2038 |date=1 September 1963 |doi=10.1103/PhysRev.131.2036 |bibcode=1963PhRv..131.2036K |ref=none}}

== Awards and honors ==
* [[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Air and Space Forces)|Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]]<ref name ="USAFD Distinguished Service Medal">
{{cite web
 | last1           = Sterner
 | first1          = Doug
 | title           = William Alison Anders
 | website         = The Hall of Valor
 | publisher       = Sightline Media Group
 | year            = 2024
 | url             = https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/27217

 | access-date     = 10 June 2024
| archive-url     = https://web.archive.org/web/20231001200102/https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/27217

 | archive-date    = 1 October 2023
| url-status      = live
}}</ref>
* [[Commendation Medal#Air Force and Space Force|Air Force Commendation Medal]]<ref name="nasabio" />
* [[NASA Distinguished Service Medal]]<ref name="nasabio" />
* Nuclear Regulatory Commission Distinguished Service Medal<ref name="nasabio" />
* [[National Geographic Society]]'s [[Hubbard Medal]] for Exploration<ref name="nasabio" />
* [[Collier Trophy|Collier]],<ref name = "Collier Award">{{cite news | author = AP Staff | url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26977750/alabama_journal/ | title = Apollo 8 Wins Collier Trophy | agency = The Associated Press | newspaper = [[Alabama Journal]] | publisher = Journal Pub. Co. | location = Montgomery, Alabama|via=Newspapers.com|date=9 May 1969|page=18|access-date=3 September 2022|archive-date=8 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108145508/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26977750/alabama_journal/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Harmon Trophy|Harmon]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32070254/fort_lauderdale_news/|title=AF Major, 3 Astronauts Get Harmon|newspaper= Fort Lauderdale News |location=Fort Lauderdale, Florida|date=7 September 1969|page=67|via=Newspapers.com|agency=United Press International|access-date=3 September 2022|archive-date=7 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190607010727/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/32070254/fort_lauderdale_news/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy|Dr. Robert H. Goddard]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26978415/the_san_francisco_examiner/|title=Paine Selected as NASA Chief|newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner|agency=Associated Press|via=Newspapers.com|location=San Francisco, California|page=6|date=5 March 1969|access-date=3 September 2022|archive-date=8 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108145454/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26978415/the_san_francisco_examiner/|url-status=live}}</ref> and General [[Thomas D. White]] USAF Trophies<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.airforcemag.com/PDF/MagazineArchive/Magazine%20Documents/1997/May%201997/0597recs.pdf |title=The Gen. Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy |magazine=Air Force Magazine |publisher=USAF |date=May 1997 |page=156 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306030237/https://www.airforcemag.com/PDF/MagazineArchive/Magazine%20Documents/1997/May%201997/0597recs.pdf |archive-date=6 March 2022 }}</ref>
* Golden Plate Award of the [[Academy of Achievement|American Academy of Achievement]] (1969)<ref>{{cite web|title=Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement|website=achievement.org|publisher=American Academy of Achievement|url=https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#science-exploration|access-date=3 September 2022|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326032022/https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#science-exploration|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[American Astronautical Society]]'s Flight Achievement Award<ref name="nasabio" />
* [[National Defense Industrial Association|American Defense Preparedness Association]]'s Industry Leadership Award (May 1993)<ref name="nasabio" />
* In October 2018, the [[International Astronomical Union]] named a crater seen in the Anders' photo as "Anders' Earthrise".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Schulz |first1=Rita |title=Lunar craters named in honor of Apollo 8 |url=https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/iau-lcn100518.php |website=EurekAlert! |publisher=International Astronomical Union |access-date=7 October 2018 |archive-date=6 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006122058/https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-10/iau-lcn100518.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Along with his Apollo 8 crewmembers, Anders received AIAA's Haley Astronautics Award in 1970.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43547094/florida_today/|title=Apollo 8 Crew Honored|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|date=25 March 1970|page=12C|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=3 September 2022|archive-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203184950/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43547094/florida_today/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* In March 2023, Bill Anders was awarded the 2023 Michael Collins Trophy for Lifetime Achievement; by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.<ref name = "2023 Collins Trophy Winner">
{{cite press release
| last1 = Wood
| first1 = Alison
| last2 = Stamm
| first2 = Amy
| date = 17 November 2022
| title = National Air and Space Museum's 2023 Michael Collins Trophy Awarded to Bill Anders and the James Webb Space Telescope Team
| url = https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/national-air-and-space-museums-2023-michael-collins-trophy-awarded-bill-anders-and
| url-status = live
| location = Washington, D.C.
| publisher = [[Smithsonian Institution]]
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231003183224/https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/national-air-and-space-museums-2023-michael-collins-trophy-awarded-bill-anders-and
| archive-date = 3 October 2023
| access-date = 8 June 2024
}}</ref>

Anders was inducted into the [[New Mexico Museum of Space History|International Space Hall of Fame]] in 1983,<ref name="nmspacemuseum" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29964158/el_paso_times/|title=Space Hall Inducts 14 Apollo Program Astronauts|last1=Sheppard|first1=David|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=El Paso, Texas|date=2 October 1983|page=18|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=3 September 2022|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091656/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29964158/el_paso_times/|url-status=live}}</ref> the [[International Air & Space Hall of Fame]] in 1990,<ref>{{cite web |title=San Diego Air & Space Museum |publisher=Historical Balboa Park, San Diego |url=https://sandiegoairandspace.org/hall-of-fame/honoree/william-anders |access-date=3 September 2022 |archive-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903034349/https://sandiegoairandspace.org/hall-of-fame/honoree/william-anders |url-status=live }}</ref> the [[United States Astronaut Hall of Fame]] in 1997,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://astronautscholarship.org/astronauts/astronaut-hall-of-fame/|title=U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame|access-date=13 October 2016|website=Astronaut Scholarship Foundation|archive-date=15 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015210623/http://astronautscholarship.org/astronauts/astronaut-hall-of-fame/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28283877/florida_today/|title=Ceremony to Honor Astronauts|newspaper=Florida Today|location=Cocoa, Florida|page=2B|date=2 October 1997|last1=Meyer|first1=Marilyn|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=3 September 2022|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011231/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28283877/florida_today/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[National Aviation Hall of Fame]] in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalaviation.org/|title=Come With Us to Washington DC for the induction of the Class of 2018! – National Aviation Hall of Fame|website=National Aviation Hall of Fame|language=en-US|access-date=18 June 2018|archive-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829002613/https://www.nationalaviation.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was a member of [[Tau Beta Pi]] National Engineering Honor Society, [[American Nuclear Society]], [[American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics]], [[National Academy of Engineering]], and [[Society of Experimental Test Pilots]].<ref name="nasabio" />

== In popular culture ==
[[File:Geology training in Iceland 1967.jpg|thumb|Icelandic geologist [[Sigurður Þórarinsson]], Bill Anders, and Dr. Ted H. Foss during [[The Exploration Museum#Apollo Astronaut training in Iceland|geology training in Iceland]] in 1967]]
[[Robert John Burke]] played Anders in the 1998 [[HBO]] miniseries ''[[From the Earth to the Moon (miniseries)|From the Earth to the Moon]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/03/movies/television-review-boyish-eyes-on-the-moon.html|title=Television Review; Boyish Eyes on the Moon|work=The New York Times|date=3 April 1998|access-date=5 August 2018|last1=James|first1=Caryn|archive-date=6 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806061924/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/03/movies/television-review-boyish-eyes-on-the-moon.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Anders appeared as himself in the 2005 documentary ''Race to the Moon'', which was shown as part of the [[PBS]] ''[[American Experience]]'' television series ([[American Experience season 18|season 18]], episode 2).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Race to the Moon {{!}} American Experience {{!}} PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/moon/ |access-date=10 June 2024 |website=www.pbs.org |language=en |archive-date=23 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523210616/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/moon/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film, renamed ''Earthrise: The First Lunar Voyage'' in 2013, was about the events that led up to the Apollo 8 mission.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/1696-making-race-moon-apollo-8-documentary-producer-tells.html|title=The Making of 'Race to the Moon': Apollo 8 Documentary Producer Tells All|access-date=16 November 2016|date=20 October 2005|last1=Kertscher|first1=Kevin Michael|website=Space.com|archive-date=16 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116225712/http://www.space.com/1696-making-race-moon-apollo-8-documentary-producer-tells.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was interviewed in a chapter of the 2015 book ''No More Worlds to Conquer'' by Chris Wright. The chapter is roughly evenly split between his life in the [[Apollo program]] and his later corporate life. The book's front cover is the ''Earthrise'' image.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euromoney.com/Article/3459178/Anders-game.html|title=Anders' Game|date=June 2015|access-date=16 November 2016|website=Euromoney|archive-date=8 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608101753/https://www.euromoney.com/article/b12kn91r2s1rqh/anders-game|url-status=live}}</ref> He appeared with fellow astronauts [[Frank Borman]] and [[Jim Lovell]] on the [[C-SPAN]] channel book review, ''Rocket Men''. He confirmed the story that he had fallen asleep while awaiting the Apollo 8 launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?443079-2/rocket-men|title=Rocket Men'|date=April 2018|access-date=20 June 2018|publisher=C-SPAN|archive-date=20 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620103214/https://www.c-span.org/video/?443079-2/rocket-men|url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[The Astronaut Monument]]
* [[List of spaceflight records]]

== Footnotes ==
{{Notelist}}

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}

== References ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last1=Borman |first1=Frank |author-link=Frank Borman |last2=Serling |first2=Robert J. |author-link2=Robert J. Serling |title=Countdown: An Autobiography |location=New York |publisher=Silver Arrow |date=1988 |isbn=0-688-07929-6 |oclc=17983615 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/countdownautobio0000borm }}
* {{cite book |last1=Brooks |first1=Courtney G. |last2=Grimwood |first2=James M. |last3=Swenson |first3=Loyd S. Jr. |title=Chariots for Apollo: A History of Manned Lunar Spacecraft |url=https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4205.pdf |access-date=3 September 2022 |series=NASA History Series |date=1979 |publisher=Scientific and Technical Information Branch, NASA |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-0-486-46756-6 |oclc=4664449 |id=NASA SP-4205 |archive-date=20 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220125852/https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4205.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Buck |first=Alice |title=The Atomic Energy Commission |date=July 1983 |publisher=Department of Energy |location=Washington, D.C. |oclc=695860164 |url=https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/AEC%20History.pdf |access-date=11 August 2022 |archive-date=1 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901034055/https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/AEC%20History.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Collins |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Collins (astronaut) |title=Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut's Journeys |orig-year=1974 |year=2001 |publisher=Cooper Square Press |location=New York |isbn=978-0-8154-1028-7 |oclc=45755963 |url=https://archive.org/details/carryingfire00mich }}
* {{cite journal |last=Gillette |first=Robert |title=William Anders: A New Regulator Enters a Critical Situation |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |issn=0036-8075 |volume=187 |issue=4182 |date=28 March 1975 |pages=1173–1175 |doi=10.1126/science.187.4182.1173 |jstor=1739477 |pmid=17754277 |bibcode=1975Sci...187.1173G }}
* {{cite book |last=Logsdon |first=John M. |author-link=John Logsdon |title=After Apollo? Richard Nixon and the American Space Program |series=Palgrave Studies in the History of Science and Technology |publisher=Palgrave MacMillan |year=2015 |location=New York |isbn=978-1-137-43852-2 |oclc=908614202 }}
* {{cite book |last=Mitchell |first=Vance O. |title=Air Force Officers: Personnel Policy Development, 1944–1974 |location=Fort Belvoir, Virginia |publisher=Defense Technical Information Center |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-16-048862-7 |oclc=64436347 |url=https://archive.org/details/AirForceOfficers |access-date=17 November 2018 |url-access=registration }}
* {{cite web |last1=Morse |first1=Mary Louise |last2=Bays |first2=Jean Kernahan |title=The Apollo Spacecraft - A Chronology, Volume II: November 8, 1962 – September 30, 1964 |series=The NASA Historical Series |year=1973 |publisher=NASA |location=Washington, D.C. |id=SP-4009 |url=https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4009vol2.pdf |access-date=8 May 2019 |archive-date=14 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714111659/https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4009vol2.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Newland |first=James D. |title=La Mesa |location=Charleston, South Carolina |date=2010 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-0-7385-8043-2 |oclc=526116827 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PRksOR9pNHYC&pg=PA109 |access-date=12 October 2016 |archive-date=8 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608101751/https://books.google.com/books?id=PRksOR9pNHYC&pg=PA109#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Nicks |editor-first=Oran W. |title=This Island Earth |location=Washington, D.C. |publisher=NASA |year=1970 |id=NASA SP-250 |oclc=464307506 }}
* {{cite book |last=Orloff |first=Richard W. |title=Apollo by the Numbers: A Statistical Reference |series=NASA History Series |id=NASA SP-2000-4029 |year=2000 |publisher=NASA History Division, Office of Policy and Plans |location=Washington, D.C. |isbn=978-0-16-050631-4 |oclc=829406439 |url=https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4029/SP-4029.htm |access-date=12 June 2013 |archive-date=23 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823124845/https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4029/SP-4029.htm |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |author=Science and Technology Division, Library of Congress |title=Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1969: Chronology on Science, Technology, and Policy |series=NASA History Series |id=NASA SP-4014 |publisher=NASA |location=Washington, D.C. |year=1970 |url=https://history.nasa.gov/AAchronologies/1969.pdf |access-date=11 August 2022 |archive-date=20 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120114126/http://history.nasa.gov/AAchronologies/1969.pdf |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last1=Slayton |first1=Donald K. "Deke" |author-link1=Deke Slayton |last2=Cassutt |first2=Michael |author-link2=Michael Cassutt |title=Deke! U.S. Manned Space: From Mercury to the Shuttle |date=1994 |publisher=Forge |location=New York |isbn=978-0-312-85503-1 |oclc=29845663 |lccn=94002463 |url=https://archive.org/details/dekeusmannedspac00slay }}
{{refend}}
{{NASA||url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/anders_williams.pdf |article=William A. Anders (Major General, USAF Reserve, Ret.) |access-date=8 January 2021 }}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.nasa.gov/former-astronaut-william-a-anders/ NASA biography]
* {{C-SPAN|9263847}}
* {{IMDb name|12328329}}
* {{discogs artist|William Anders}}

{{S-start}}
{{s-dip}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Thomas Ryan Byrne|Thomas R. Byrne]]}}
{{s-ttl|title= [[List of ambassadors of the United States to Norway|United States Ambassador to Norway]]|years= 1976–1977}}
{{s-aft|after= [[Louis A. Lerner]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{People who have traveled to the Moon}}
{{US Ambassadors to Norway}}
{{U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame}}
{{Time Persons of the Year 1951–1975}}
{{NASA Astronaut Group 3|state=autocollapse}}
{{Portal bar|Aviation|Biography|Hong Kong|Norway|Nuclear technology|Spaceflight|United States}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anders, William}}
[[Category:William Anders]]
[[Category:1933 births]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:1968 in spaceflight]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:Accidental deaths in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Air Force Institute of Technology alumni]]
[[Category:Ambassadors of the United States to Norway]]
[[Category:American business executives]]
[[Category:American expatriates in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:American nuclear engineers]]
[[Category:American people of Norwegian descent]]
[[Category:Apollo 8]]
[[Category:Apollo program astronauts]]
[[Category:Aviators from California]]
[[Category:Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in the United States]]
[[Category:Collier Trophy recipients]]
[[Category:Engineers from California]]
[[Category:Filmed deaths in the United States]]
[[Category:General Dynamics]]
[[Category:General Electric people]]
[[Category:Grossmont High School alumni]]
[[Category:Harmon Trophy winners]]
[[Category:Hong Kong emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Members of the United States National Academy of Engineering]]
[[Category:Military personnel from California]]
[[Category:Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials]]
[[Category:People from La Mesa, California]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the NASA Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:United States Air Force astronauts]]
[[Category:United States Air Force generals]]
[[Category:United States Astronaut Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:United States Naval Academy alumni]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 2024]]
[[Category:20th-century American engineers]]