13 Facts About David Hilmers

David Hilmers was born in Clinton, Iowa, but considers DeWitt, Iowa, to be his hometown.

David Hilmers entered active duty with the United States Marine Corps in July 1972.

David Hilmers graduated from the U S Naval Postgraduate School in 1978 and was later assigned to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

David Hilmers was stationed with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, at the time of his selection by NASA.

David Hilmers was selected a NASA astronaut in July 1980 and completed the initial training period in August 1981.

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David Hilmers later became head of the Mission Development branch in the astronaut office.

David Hilmers served as a mission specialist on STS-51-J, STS-26, STS-36, and STS-42 .

David Hilmers had prime responsibility for a number of on-orbit activities during the mission.

David Hilmers replaced another astronaut, killed in a plane crash, for his last mission.

David Hilmers decided to apply to medical school while training for his third shuttle flight.

David Hilmers attended pre-med courses at night while training for his fourth flight.

David Hilmers currently holds the rank of Professor in the departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, the Center for Space Medicine, and Baylor Global Initiatives at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

David Hilmers spends much of his spare time providing humanitarian medical care locally in Houston and in developing nations, including disaster relief efforts in Iraq, Peru, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Haiti, and in Liberia during the Ebola outbreak in 2014.