Gene Kranz

Gene Kranz
Kranz c. 2005
Born	Eugene Francis Kranz (1933-08-17) August 17, 1933 Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Saint Louis University's Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology, B.S. 1954
Occupation(s)	Flight director during Gemini and Apollo programs; Director of NASA Mission Operations
Years active	1960–1994
Employer	NASA (Retired)
Known for	Lead flight director during Apollo 13 Flight Director during first lunar landing (Apollo 11)
Predecessor	Chris Kraft (first Lead Flight Director)
Spouse	Marta Cadena
Children	6
Parent	Leo Peter Kranz (father)
Awards	Presidential Medal of Freedom NASA Distinguished Service Medal NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal NASA Exceptional Service Medal

Eugene Francis "Gene" Kranz (born August 17, 1933) is an American aerospace engineer. He was a NASA Flight Director and manager. Kranz was NASA's second Chief Flight Director. He was in charge of the Gemini and Apollo programs. He was born in Toledo, Ohio.

Kranz is a recipient of a Presidential Medal of Freedom, given in 1970 by President Richard Nixon.

In 2010, Kranz was listed as the #2 most popular space hero by the Space Foundation.