William "Bill" Anders, the astronaut who showed us our planet as we had never seen it

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Ай бұрын

Maj. Gen. William Anders, the Apollo 8 astronaut who took the famous “Earthrise” photo in 1968, was featured as one of Eric Johnson’s “Heroes” in May 2017. Anders died on Friday, June 7, 2024, when the vintage Beechcraft T-34 Mentor he was flying crashed into the water near Jones Island in San Juan County, Washington.
Anders’ son, Lt. Col. Greg Anders, told KOMO News the plane that crashed was the same aircraft he flew in 2017 when he spoke to KOMO News.
The first report that an “older model plane” crashed around 11:40 a.m. Friday, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office said. Officials said the T-34 was reportedly flying from north to south before crashing about 80 feet offshore of Jones Island.
Anders told KOMO News in 2017 a Beechcraft T-34 Mentor was the very first plane he flew solo in, many, many years ago.
Anders was on Apollo 8, along with Frank Borman and Jim Lovell. He was one of the first three members of humankind to break free from Earth's grasp and leave its orbit.
"Apollo 8 is very real in my mind when I look up at the moon and it's very new, which is the way it was when we went,” he told KOMO News.
On Apollo 8's fourth trip around the moon, with Anders and the others looking out from their tiny ship, something extraordinary happened.
It was the planet Earth, blue and infinitely beautiful and so tiny against the blackness and nothingness behind it, rising above the scorched surface of the moon.
Thinking back, Anders explained, "One of my secondary duties on Apollo 8 was a photographer, to take pictures of potential landing sites and geological features of interest on the moon, and we had no light meters."
Then, he said something astounding, in retrospect: "Nobody thought about taking pictures of the Earth."
Anders said NASA had planned everything about the trip in incredible detail. But nobody had made even the slightest mention of taking a photograph of our planet. Somehow it had fallen through the cracks of one of the greatest journeys ever taken by humans.
On the grainy film from 1968, you hear Anders say, "Hand me a roll of color, quick!" And then, "Oh man, I have it right here!"
"And so basically, when the Earth came up, I basically pointed the camera, got color film, got a long lens so the Earth would be bigger, and started clicking away and changing the F-stop as I went,” Anders told KOMO News.
Anders said he knew it was something special the moment it happened. That is proven on the film when he says, "Oh, that's a beautiful shot!"
But inside the capsule, there was no way any of them could have known the impact the picture would have on that bright blue marble that was dancing before them on Dec. 24, 1968.
It came to be known as the “Earthrise” photo. It was our first look at ourselves. Our first image of how delicate we are, and how small.
See the full Eric’s Heroes story from 2017: komonews.com/news/erics-heroe...
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Пікірлер: 221

@gordonschauer4323 Ай бұрын

I met Bill Anders, Frank Borman and Jim Lovell serving on the USS Yorktown CVS 10 after recovery of Apollo 8. I was lucky enough to be Bill Anders orderly while on board. I recall he was promoted to Colonel while on board. L/Cpl G. Schauer, Marine Detachment. A very rememberable couple of days in my life. Sorry to hear of his passing.

@jewel58s Ай бұрын

What an honor.

@TheMichaelBeck Ай бұрын

Served his country with honor and distinction, took the most famous photo in history, quoted Genesis on Christmas while orbiting the moon, and went out doing what he loved more than anything. A life very well lived. Rest in peace, Sir. "God bless all of You, all of You on the good Earth." ~ Apollo 8

@Ryan-mq2mi Ай бұрын

What a country and society. He was one of a cohesive bunch

@maxsmith695 Ай бұрын

CGI

@proto-geek248 Ай бұрын

Spectacular human being. Rest in Peace, Mr. Anders, and thanks for the greatest photograph ever taken. "We went to explore the moon & ended up discovering the Earth."

@SteveBrant55 Ай бұрын

Rest In Peace, sir. Thank you for taking the "Earthrise" photograph.

@user-ht1xu4gv2u Ай бұрын

Almost taken in black and white

@basoko1996 Ай бұрын

@SassySarah-ll8se Yes, he will be in hell as you say... but there is a great place for you in it, don't worry.

@patfranklin4620 Ай бұрын

@SassySarah-ll8se Shut it, bot.

@charleswright8275 Ай бұрын

I was 17 years old on that Christmas Eve night 1968, and I will always remember that night. It was a historic event, and it changed the world.

@dfirth224 Ай бұрын

I remember that moon mission. They circled the moon without landing just to see if going to the moon was even possible. The public was stunned to see the first pictures from the Moon. Then the Earth rise photo blew everyone's mind. We could not have asked for a better Christmas present from NASA.

@user-ht1xu4gv2u Ай бұрын

Christmas Eve reading of Genesis was epic

@shauny2285 Ай бұрын

@@user-ht1xu4gv2uI recall that Madeline Murray O'Hare, the atheist, sure raised a fuss afterwards.

@robertjcorser9702 Ай бұрын

One of my greatest privileges was to know Bill Anders -Apollo 8 astronaut and photographer of the iconic “Earthrise” photo. As an 18 year old cadet, my roommate Greg Anders introduced me to his dad -always referred to as “the General” Bill was an inspiring figure, and a quietly poetic astronaut.

@Ryan-mq2mi Ай бұрын

@SassySarah-ll8se quiet, woman

@mycosys Ай бұрын

@SassySarah-ll8se Wow, you are clearly very insecure about being a nobody. Get out there and have a life

@BenRush Ай бұрын

RIP Bill. Thank you for everything you have done for us. And thank you for taking the picture that showed us ourselves.

@GregSchulte-nq2nb Ай бұрын

My aunt and uncle were friends with the parents of Bill Anders in La Mesa, California. They were invited to the Anders home to watch the events on TV in 1968. Arthur Anders, Bill's father, won the navy cross for fighting off a Japanese air attack on the USS Panay in 1937.

@Ryan-mq2mi Ай бұрын

Nice! Thanks for shaing

@RochelleKinter Ай бұрын

My grandfather and Bill's father were cousins. Thank you for sharing. My grandfather was in the navy also. and they wrote letters back and forth to each other.

@blessedareyou43 Ай бұрын

One last time General Bill Anders, flying high and living life on a beautiful June afternoon here in the San Juan Islands. This last flight, Bill was the co pilot. God saw the opportunity to take his faithful son while he soared in the air. Bill is home in Heaven now and enjoying the view of Earth once again. A life boldly, bravely and fully lived. Peace be with you Bill and your family. ✨😇🙏✝️💖💞❣️

@cathylawrence7382 Ай бұрын

Beautiful!

@Ryan-mq2mi Ай бұрын

@@cathylawrence7382 Agree. Thanks for sharing

@jimbemiss1810 Ай бұрын

What an amazing man. The picture that he took with his Hasselblad camera is without equal.

@user-ht1xu4gv2u Ай бұрын

Basically a grab shot that was punched next to window and shots bracketed to allow for proper. Exposure.

@TruckingToPlease Ай бұрын

Bill went out with his boots on. He was proof that there are/ were "Old, Bold Pilots" Rest in Peace.

@garygolfer3243 Ай бұрын

He actually affirmed the “NO old, bold pilot’ theory. He could have grown older if he didn’t screw up so bad.

@ushouldntjudgeme3683 Ай бұрын

@@garygolfer3243 you took the words right out of my mouth! Exactly!

@ushouldntjudgeme3683 Ай бұрын

He went out with his face smashed all over the instrument panel

@TruckingToPlease Ай бұрын

@@ushouldntjudgeme3683 I have a feeling the situation was terminal prior to preflight. He went out on his own terms at the controls.

@garygolfer3243 Ай бұрын

@@TruckingToPlease He has actually screwed up several times in the past resulting in minor injuries. It was only a matter of time. Jerry Parr said he was definitely not the suicide type, but he also may have gotten a diagnosis Jerry didn’t know about… hmmm?

@dmh54321 Ай бұрын

RIP Maj. Gen. William Anders. The "Earthrise" photo is my favorite photo of all-time. Thank you.

@kislov.yevgueny Ай бұрын

Соболезнуем! Как жаль! Удивительный человек!

@gecko-sb1kp Ай бұрын

So saddened to hear of Bill Anders passing today. He was one of my close favorites of the Apollo era. A quiet achiever that went with the flow. One flight but what a flight to be on. He took that Earth-rise photo above the moon the year I was born. Maybe that's why Apollo 8 will always be close to me. He achieved a lot in his lifetime. Thanks for giving me the inspiration for me to do better...

@beovp91 Ай бұрын

RIP, Sir. You and all of the Apollo Astronauts are my heros. For those of you reading this, I will say, today, in the Paciific Northwest this amazing human west on an amazing NORTHWEST DAY. One other thing. GREETINGS ;)

@TimDurkan Ай бұрын

RIP and thank you for your service to our country 😢

@kurtzwar729 Ай бұрын

I met Bill Anders once at the Heritage Flight Museum in Burlington 4 years ago. I was there at a fly in and had brought a burned D-Day Spitfire yolk with me. Bill spotted the Spitfire yolk and came over for a talk. We discussed the D-Day attack and how much was at stake that day. Thanked him for his work and great photograph. A terrific American. God bless Bill Anders.

@mycosys Ай бұрын

@SassySarah-ll8se wow you have led a sad life

@jshepard152 Ай бұрын

I lived in Mount Vernon for years but didn't realize Bill was out there until after I'd moved away. I'm glad he got to go out flying. Guys like Anders weren't meant to die in bed.

@andrewlachapelle4 Ай бұрын

I went with my family to visit the Air Museum at Skagit Airport on Friday. When we arrived around Noon - we saw a car with the license plate "P-51 Pilot" then when we got to the front the doors were all closed. A man came out and told us "We are closed today" we asked if they would be open the next day and we got a short "Probably not". I was very disappointed at the time but now, knowing what happened I'm heartbroken. Rest in Peace Mr. Anders, thank you for your service.

@SpringIsBACK Ай бұрын

A really MAJOR General. 🙂 Two things came to mind, watching this: Heinlein's Poem "The Green Hills of Earth". The song by Kansas "Icarus / Borne on Wings of Steel". RIP, General Anders. You were a light we can all hope to at least a little bit emulate.

@michaelheeman5715 Ай бұрын

RIP Sir! God speed and MAD Respect!!!

@Mike-01234 Ай бұрын

Wow I remember seeing him talk about being first guys to ride the Saturn V.

@golfdoc1950 Ай бұрын

He lived a full life with no regrets. RIP.

@kevinkillsit Ай бұрын

Nothing, but the utmost respect and admiration for an absolute legend. What a way to live life! Thank you Bill!

@cliffordmason3542 Ай бұрын

Rest In peace Bill, I can remember seeing your Apollo suit at the science museum in London. 8 was truly a great mission, very risky. 👏

@mikem5043 Ай бұрын

I was so saddened to hear about Bill Anders' passing

@scottmoseley5122 Ай бұрын

What a great story. Thank you for posting this. RIP

@evilborg Ай бұрын

He now lives with God and reached the stars...........

@evilborg Ай бұрын

@SassySarah-ll8se is that sort of a threat??

@southtexasprepper1837 Ай бұрын

My Deepest Heartfelt Sympathies and Condolences To The Family and Friends of Astronaut Bill Anders. A TRUE AMERICAN HERO!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@theonlymadmac4771 Ай бұрын

I was 7 years old in 1968 and still remember vividly hearing them read from genesis on my dad’s tube radio. Marvelous recollection! You are still my hero. Thank you from Germany and Godspeed!

@OliverGrumitt Ай бұрын

So sorry to hear the news of the death of William Anders, one of the first 3 people to travel to another world on what was the most dangerous mission so far ever undertaken - Apollo 8 had no lunar module that saved the Apollo 13 crew. He took the iconic Earth Rise photograph, still one of the most spectacular, beautiful and memorable photos ever taken. Now only 6 Apollo astronauts who travelled to the Moon are still alive - James Lovell of Apollo 8 and 13, Buzz Aldrin of Apollo 11; Fred Haise of Apollo 13: David Scott of Apollo 15: Charles Duke of Apollo 16 and Harrison “Jack” Schmidt of Apollo 17. So many former astronauts have died recently - Walter Cunningham, Karol Bobko, Frank Borman, Ken Mattingly, Mary Cleave, Tom Stafford, Richard Truly and now Bill Anders. May they rest in peace, along with all other deceased astronauts, whose courage and dedication we admire and appreciate so much. Bill Anders loved flying planes, and he died doing something he enjoyed so much. I am sure that is how he would have wanted to leave this world.

@allgood6760 Ай бұрын

Great pic Earthrise👍🌍... thank you for your contribution to humanity.. RIP Bill Anders🙏🚀

@Beargizmo3 Ай бұрын

I wish I had the opportunity to meet Bill Anders. I've read a couple books on Apollo 8 and gained a tremendous amount if respect fir a Bill Anders. With all the words said and written about astronauts first view of the moon, his were "It looks like dirty beach sand". I loved that. My condolences to Valerie and his children and to the original poster and all who knew and loved him.

@johnhenrycook Ай бұрын

Well , he's one of the men from the superpowers who put excitement into my life growing up in working class Liverpool. There was the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Woodstock and the moon landing where the space race and music never ended when I was 64 this month and saw an astronaut dead when so many had died before. And I realised there were more who all fought in the skies above Vietnam where capital punishment was still part of injustice all over the world.

@AdamDormer-lq5vk Ай бұрын

RIP and thank you for all you did and achieved for all of humanity.

@joycescott5561 Ай бұрын

God bless him for doing what he loves. My heart goes out to his family and friends 😢

@ChrisJohnson-hk6es Ай бұрын

Rest Easy sir! Wish I could have met you! I have seen you flying and loved watching you!

@coopercannella-joyner770 Ай бұрын

They uploaded this right after they also announced he died in a plane crash

@dianamcfarland1997 Ай бұрын

THANKS!...MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM ANDERS... for your great service to our great country AMERICA/USA! REST IN PEACE! GOD BLESS!

@strangewayfaringstranger Ай бұрын

Rest in peace.

@doncollins786 Ай бұрын

As a child, I watched every minute of the Christmas flight around the Moon. Godspeed, Sir. Thank you for all you did for us.

@erikpeterson25 Ай бұрын

👍..life well lived ..big thank you for the PICTURE ❤.

@catherinenelson4162 Ай бұрын

Bill Anders, you were a great human being. So sorry to learn of your passing. RIP

@larrylewis6771 Ай бұрын

Oh thank you for letting us see how Bill Anders was currently living. Good remembrances.

@joevanseeters2873 Ай бұрын

Godspeed sir! Thank you for your invaluable contributions to aerospace science.

@cheddar2648 Ай бұрын

Condolences to Greg, family, and friends. Godspeed Bill Anders.

@johnsanty2169 Ай бұрын

I was thirteen in 1968. I was with my family in Florida on Christmas Vacation. I well remember watching on our hotel suite TV, the Christmas Eve "service" the crew gave to the world.

@lindaedwardscookingchemist8728 Ай бұрын

I have that picture (Earthrise) hanging in my kitchen. Love it! Thank you, Bill. RIP. See you in heaven.

@craig7083 Ай бұрын

I remember watching the live transmission of the Apollo 8 crew filming the Earthrise and reading from the book of Genesis in 1968!

@VeronicaWolfgang Ай бұрын

“Legends never die”💯💪

@dgriffin6074 Ай бұрын

I was 19 when that gentleman was orbiting the moon. How exciting it was to see the news reports and videos. Sadly, the U.S. has declined in almost every imaginable way since those heady days, and I fear such courage and greatness of character is almost gone. I do hope I am wrong.

@maritronicnetherlands2158 Ай бұрын

Thanks for giving Earthrise to Humanity, Picture is my my workshop so i see it every day.

@elainemoreland3908 Ай бұрын

Thank you Sir.❤

@jdiezastronomy Ай бұрын

What a life!! And a way to go. Good job Sir! He lived Long and Prosper 🖖🏽

@DaNiyaHodge Ай бұрын

Rip William Alison Anders, you will be missed

@muaral-rasheed2565 Ай бұрын

Thank you Sir!

@RochelleKinter Ай бұрын

He is in my family tree on my mom's side. And his father was my grandfather's cousin. Somewhere, I have letters that were written between the both of them. Wish I can get my hands on them. I was sad to see his passing. I know my brother got to meet him at a family reunion before my Grandfather Frank passed away, in the 80's.

@gmpltd114 Ай бұрын

Very saddened to hear the news. MAG GEN Anders led us all through the first steps to the moon. Then he did something truly astonishing. Rather than showing us the moon he turned the camera around and showed us ourselves and where we are in the universe. what a wonderful legacy that his family should be very proud of. Blue skies, gentle breezes and God bless you Sir, Greg New Zealand.

@tommyt7566 Ай бұрын

Thank you”Big Hero”!!! RIP MG Anders 🇺🇸

@slamhead Ай бұрын

God speed Bill Anders. You lived an incredible life and died doing what you loved. Blessed life.

@ScoutSniper3124 Ай бұрын

There are those precious few that lead by example, thank you Will, and God give you peace.

@CarlSims6969 Ай бұрын

RIP to a true legend. ❤🙏🏻

@mikethompson2650 Ай бұрын

I am reminded of that line in "THE LONGEST DAY" about how sad it is that the few keep getting fewer. We lost another of the few.

@Ryan-mq2mi Ай бұрын

They were built different. What a country we had. Strong, cohesive, culturally Christian

@PaulNoake Ай бұрын

RIP Maj Gen Anders

@phillp7777 Ай бұрын

great vid.. All Respect for MG Anders great life..... in his blue marble Earth pic.. Is that US on left side w FL sticking out.. looks like big storm over northeast area like Boston NY.. and top of Africa in brown on right side nearer bottom of lit up side of 🌎 Earth ? or is this totally other hemisphere?

@RRM13 Ай бұрын

He has my respect and admiration. Men of his caliber are becoming rarer and rarer... Hello from São Paulo, Brazil 🇧🇷.

@RRM13 Ай бұрын

@SassySarah-ll8seWoke, leftist KZfaq ROBOT detected.

@RRM13 Ай бұрын

@SassySarah-ll8seOK, 🤡🤡🤡.

@RRM13 Ай бұрын

@SassySarah-ll8se OK 🤡🤡🤡

@RRM13 Ай бұрын

@SassySarah-ll8se A woke, leftist KZfaq 🤖🤖🤖 = a LOSER 😜

@RRM13 Ай бұрын

@SassySarah-ll8se a woke 🤡🤡🤡.

@krugerfuchs Ай бұрын

Back with Gus Neil Ed and the others rest in power thank you for your service

@Westlake Ай бұрын

Thank you Bill!. Rest in Peace!

@JoelNekritz-te3gl Ай бұрын

Godspeed, General Anders, and Thank you.

@jshepard152 Ай бұрын

"Everybody's a hero these days". He was right. Condolences to Greg and the family.

@juliaweber212 Ай бұрын

Si heartbreaking He will be remembered

@johnwoodard1726 Ай бұрын

❤...Rest In Peace Bill.

@turkey0165 Ай бұрын

I remember Christmas 1968 I was a young pre teen boy! A great time to grow up my stingray bicycle, 16ct. Hostess fruit pies and a 5ct. Hersey Bars; Thanks Bill and Apolo 08 I'll never forget you American Heroes! 🇺🇸 👍

@merkury06 Ай бұрын

Rest in Peace General Anders. Thank you.

@eceflyboy Ай бұрын

Rest in Peace Bill. Blue sky and tail winds in eternity, now that you are unshackled from the bounds of gravity and reborn among the stars.

@LindaC-ze5ob Ай бұрын

Rest in Heavenly Peace Astronaut Bill Anders. Thank you for your love & service to our country, and your moon mission Apollo 8. Tell my Pop, who you probably knew at NASA, if you see him, that I miss him. 🙏🛐🚀🚀🇺🇲

@robh8739 Ай бұрын

RIP, condolences to the family.

@danielpavich Ай бұрын

May God bless you sir.

@nikkis8523 Ай бұрын

I wonder what he thought of flat earthers being he literally took the photo proof that says otherwise 😂

@curbozerboomer1773 Ай бұрын

Pride and hubris are next to each other...his hubris about flying is what killed him. Nobody that age should even be flying an old plane like that one!

@roelende9670 Ай бұрын

What a hero and skilled man he was! Rest In Peace Bill...

@patcartbar Ай бұрын

What a Man! May he rest in peace!

@marsspacex6065 Ай бұрын

Apollo 8 is really the beginning of exploration of space. Godspeed sir you are a legend forever.

@arunhn Ай бұрын

RIP sir!

@patriciaoreilly8907 Ай бұрын

What a man. Died what he loved to do fly Bill RIP 😊 Respect ❤

@JohnVHRC Ай бұрын

A national treasure.

@loveyourdogs6035 Ай бұрын

Rest in peace 🕊️🙏

@lionelf4781 Ай бұрын

God bless Bill Anders ! R.I.P 😢

@arturocampos9907 Ай бұрын

may rest in peace in the arms of God... my condolences to all the family and friends...

@fromtheflightdeck252 Ай бұрын

RIP Bill Anders

@jpatt1000 Ай бұрын

What's the story on the F-89 in the background at 0:06?! I'm afraid I probably already know the answer but I'll ask anyway.... Is it a flier?

@videotrexx Ай бұрын

Rest in peace...

@yrmthr Ай бұрын

His first ride in a plane as a kid, the pilot did a loop and he said they came awfully close to crashing

@jshepard152 Ай бұрын

I forgot about that. He came full circle.

@AviatorJohn70 Ай бұрын

RIP Maj. Gen. William Anders

@justlooking4771 Ай бұрын

Fligh high, Sir. 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸

@kevbrown1867 Ай бұрын

Bill was trying to loop his plane that is pretty much a life well lived when you are 90 years old and still out doing loops . Died doing what he loved what a way to go