CAPTAIN RONALD E. EVANS - COMMEMORATIVE ENVELOPE SIGNED 10/02/1978 CO-SIGNED BY: REAR ADMIRAL R. G. ANDERSON - HFSID 131396

RONALD E. EVANS and R.G. ANDERSON. Commemorative Envelope signed: "Ron Evans 10-2-78" and "R.G. Anderson/R Adm U.S.N.", 6½x3¾. Cover commemorating the Apollo 17 U.S. Navy Atlantic Recovery Force, 8-cent flag stamp affixed, postmarked Norfolk, VA, December 19, 1972, the day of Apollo 17's splashdown in the Pacific. Although Apollo 17 splashed down in the Pacific and the astronauts were brought aboard the recovery ship U.S.S. Ticonderoga as planned, the Atlantic Recovery Force was on standby in the event that unforeseen circumstances would lead to an alternate landing in the Atlantic. RONALD E. "RON" EVANS (1933-1990), who orbited overhead in the command module, America, during the Apollo 17 mission, had been one of 19 astronauts selected by NASA in April 1966. He served as a member of the astronaut support crews for the Apollo 7 and Apollo 11 flights and as backup Command Module pilot for Apollo 14. Apollo 17, which was launched on December 7, 1972 and concluded on December 19, 1972, was the last scheduled manned mission to the Moon. It set records for the longest manned lunar landing flight, longest lunar surface extravehicular activities, largest lunar sample return and longest time in lunar orbit. While fellow astronauts Eugene Cernan (spacecraft Commander) and Harrison Schmitt explored the Taurus-Littrow landing area, Evans made visual geographical observations, photographed specific targets and operated highly sophisticated scientific equipment carried in the command module SIM-bay. He later completed a one hour and six minute extravehicular activity during the return flight, successfully retrieving three camera cassettes and inspecting the equipment bay area. Evans retired from NASA in March 1977. We have been unable to find information on Anderson. Worthy of further research. Slightly creased. Faint stain at lower right margin from removal of address label, 2 light black marks at upper left blank margin. Fine condition.