Virgil Ivan Grissom, which is known as Gus Grissom in a wider manner (April 3, 1926 – January 27, 1967) was one of the projects launched by NASA Mercury astronauts and a USA Air Force pilot. He was the second American astronaut, who flied in the space. During a training exercise, Grissom was killed along with his fellow astronauts Ed White and Roger Chaffee while pre-launch test for the Apollo 1 mission was ongoing at the Kennedy Space Center. He was awarded a Space Medal of Honor for the Distinguished Flying Cross and posthumously.

Grissom was born in Mitchell which is a part in Indiana. When he was a child, he attended the local Church of Christ and later on he became a lifelong member. He was also a member of Boy Scout Troop 46.
Grissom got a graduate degree from Mitchell High School in 1944. His marriage took place with Betty Moore Grissom on July 6, 1945. They have had two children; first was Scott and second was Mark. Grissom was a great master Mason and permanent member of Mitchell Lodge 228.

Grissom entered in the Army Air Forces, following his graduation from high school in 1944. He was sent by the authorities to Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas for the basic training and after that he was assigned as a clerk at Brooks Field in San Antonio, Texas. Grissom enrolled in Purdue University by taking advantage of G.I. Bill in November 1945 discharge from the Air Corps at the end of II world war.

In 1950 he got a bachelor degree for science in mechanical engineering from Purdue University.

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