Astronaut William Pogue: From Oklahoma Cotton Fields to Skylab Space Station | Full Interview

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Astronaut William R. Pogue’s journey from the plains of Oklahoma to the vast expanse of space is one of determination, humility, and courage. Born in Okemah, Oklahoma, in 1930, and raised in Sand Springs and Tulsa, Pogue grew up during the Great Depression in a family of schoolteachers. His fascination with flight began as a child watching barnstormers soar overhead and never left him. After earning degrees from Oklahoma Baptist University and Oklahoma State University, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where his 25-year career included a combat tour in Korea, two years as an aerobatic pilot with the Thunderbirds, and service as a test pilot with the Royal Air Force.

In 1966, Pogue was selected as part of NASA’s fifth group of astronauts, serving on the support crews for Apollo 7, 11, and 14. His big moment came in 1973–74 as the pilot of Skylab 4, where he and crewmates Jerry Carr and Ed Gibson spent 84 days in space—then the longest manned mission in history. During that mission, they conducted over 50 scientific experiments, made two spacewalks, and logged more than 1,200 orbits of Earth. The crew’s studies of solar activity helped scientists better understand the relationship between the sun and Earth’s climate. Pogue’s endurance and calm under pressure earned him a reputation as one of NASA’s most capable astronauts.

Pogue’s earlier life was equally eventful. He flew 43 combat missions in Korea, survived a near-fatal ejection, and served as a Thunderbird pilot performing daring supersonic maneuvers before thousands. His life philosophy—rooted in his Christian faith—was simple yet profound: “I made my peace with God a long time ago, and I felt like that’s what He wanted me to do.” His autobiography, But for the Grace of God, captures that spirit of gratitude and perseverance.

In this interview, conducted by John Erling in 2012, Pogue reflects on his Oklahoma childhood, his military and NASA careers, and his view of humanity’s future in space. He shares humor and humility in equal measure—from stories of “pukes” in zero gravity to his belief that the greatest legacy of spaceflight is its ability to inspire. As he told Erling, he hoped to be remembered simply as “a dumb old Okie who didn’t really care about taking a chance.”

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