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ALAMOGORDO When Edward Chris Dittmer was born on Sept. 24, 1918, very few people thought about man travelling to space and even fewer considered that Dittmer would play an important role in that effort.

Dittmer, who passed away on Jan. 2, 2015 in Alamogordo, was instrumental in mans early research into space flight. A decorated veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam wars, he joined the service in 1942 as part of the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry. In 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. While serving in Vietnam in the early 1960s, Dittmer flew pilot rescue missions into enemy territory.

Dittmers last duty station was at Holloman Air Force Base where he worked in the Space Biology Department. During his time there, he trained six Astrochimps including HAM and Enos both of whom flew into space as a precursor to manned spaceflight. In addition, he also worked on Project Manhigh, which put the first three Americans into near-space in gondolas lifted aloft by balloons. This work was made famous when U.S. Air Force Col. Joe Kittinger made a record breaking high altitude jump from 102,800 feet, proving that an astronaut could survive a high-altitude ejection.

It was during a practice ascent for Manhigh III that Dittmer proved his heroism once again, just as he had done during his wartime tours of service.

The Holloman Story (UNM Press, 1967) said Capt. Grover Schock, who was the prime mission pilot, was nearly killed when a freak mishap plunged the car .a hundred feet to the ground. Schock had his throat cut almost from ear to ear.

It was Master Sgt. Ed Dittmer who sped to the scene, refusing to even stop for pursuing law enforcement. He administered expert first aid and is credited with saving Schocks life.

Dittmer retired in 1973 with the distinction of having been named NCO of the Holloman Air Force Base Aeromedical Field Laboratorys Space Biology Branch by USAF Col. Dr. John Paul Stapp. After retirement, he became a valued volunteer at the New Mexico Museum of Space History which inducted him into the International Space Hall of Fame in 2001 for his work with the Astrochimps.

Dittmer also spent many hours at local elementary schools talking about his experiences and was interviewed frequently by reporters, authors and filmmakers.

A reception paying tribute to Dittmers life will be held at the New Mexico Museum of Space History today at 4 p.m. on the museums first floor.

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Museum mourns passing of local space pioneer