1941-

American astronaut who was the first African-American shuttle commander. A U.S. Air Force Academy alumnus, Gregory completed flight training at the Naval Test Pilot School. He served in Vietnam, commanding helicopter rescue crews that evacuated refugees from the American embassy in Saigon. Gregory piloted a 1985 shuttle flight. In 1989 and 1991 he was commander of two shuttle missions that deployed satellites. By 1992 Gregory became the associate administrator for safety at NASA headquarters. He has also served as chief of astronaut training.