Gene Kranz

Eugene Francis Gene Kranz is a retired NASA Flight Director and manager. Kranz served as a Flight Director, the successor to NASA founding Flight Director Chris Kraft, during the Gemini and Apollo programs, and is best known for his role in directing the successful Mission Control team efforts to save the crew of Apollo 13, which later became the subject story of a major motion picture of the same name, in which he was portrayed by actor Ed Harris. He is also noted for his trademark closecut flattop hairstyle, and the wearing of dapper white mission vests , of different styles and materials made by his wife, Marta Kranz, during missions for which he acted as Flight Director.

Kranz was born August 17, 1933, in Toledo, Ohio and attended Central Catholic High School. He grew up on a farm that overlooked the WillysOverland Jeep production plant. His father, Leo Peter Kranz, was the son of a German immigrant, and served as an Army medic during World War I. His father died in 1940, when Eugene was only seven years old. Kranz has two older sisters, Louise and Helen.

Source: Wikipedia