Astronaut was a scientist at Kirtland Air Force Base Published Feb. 10, 2011 By Brian Brackens 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Kirtland Air Force Base, NM -- Maj. Robert Lawrence was a man who broke barriers. In 1956, at age 20, he graduated from Bradley University with a bachelor's degree in Chemistry and received a commission in the Air Force. By 25, he had completed an assignment as an instructor pilot for members of the German Air Force under the Military Assistance Program, and by 30, he had earned a doctoral degree in physical chemistry from Ohio State University. In 1965, Major Lawrence was assigned to the Weapons Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base. While at Kirtland AFB, Major Lawrence served as a pilot as well as a research scientist in the Biophysics Branch. His research focused on the effects of space radiation on objects. In a 1967 article in the Nucleus, Major Lawrence's supervisor, Col. Max Nod said that the Biophysics Branch relied on him. "We relied on him very heavily for advice and direction in handling complex Air Force research problems which had short lead times," said Colonel Nod. "This kind of work, which Bob did perfectly, requires a stable, rational personality." Major Lawrence was selected to be an astronaut in the Air Force's Manned Orbital Laboratory, a program that trained members of the military for spaceflight. He was the first African-American selected for astronaut training. "His background and competence in science and his flying experience made him a logical and an ideal choice for astronaut training," said Colonel Nod. "He is an outstanding officer and scientist. I never asked him to do a job he didn't do well." Major Lawrence never made it to space. He was killed six months into the program, when his F-104 fighter crashed in a training exercise Dec. 8, 1967. He was 32 years old. The Astronauts Memorial Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that honors American astronauts who lost their lives in the pursuit of spaceflight, honored Major Lawrence 30 years after his death by carving his name into the Space Mirror Memorial, located on the grounds of the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Mirror, a large block of granite, contains the names of all astronauts who died while in American space programs.