Donald Kent Slayton
(Deke)

Born: 1 March 1924, Sparta, Wisconsin, United States

Nationality: American

Died: 13 June 1993 (Complications from brain tumor)

Deke was one of the original seven Mercury astronauts. He was removed from flight status in August of 1959 due to a previously undetected heart condition. A review of his condition resulted in his return to flight status in March 1972.