Scrapbook 1: May 1961 — Alan Shepard

A hero’s welcome

THE tension of the count-down is over. Now comes the touch-down . . .

Crewmen of the aircraft carrier Lake Champlain gather, above, to cheer SpacemanAlan Shepard as the helicopter that scooped him from the Atlantic comes in to land. Swinging under the helicopter is the capsule in which Shepard made his historic flight.

Shepard was hoisted aboard the ’copter after climbing out of the capsule as it floated in the sea.

Space hero Alan Shepard steps out of the capsule aboard the recovery ship. He went back for his helmet.