On this day in history, June 3, 1965, Ed White becomes first American to walk in space: 'Just tremendous'

The meeting is expected to help the agency's independent study team determine how to evaluate these mysterious sightings going forward. Astronaut Ed White became the first American to walk in space on this day in history, June 3, 1965. White, an engineer, a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, a test pilot and NASA astronaut, made the spacewalk -- technically known as "Extravehicular Activity" or "EVA" -- while serving as the pilot on the Gemini 4 mission. Command pilot James McDivitt was the other member of the crew, and took pictures of White outside the vehicle. ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, JUNE 2, 1953, QUEEN ELIZABETH II IS CROWNED IN LONDON'S WESTMINSTER ABBEY White spent about 20 minutes floating outside the Gemini 4 capsule, nearly double the time initially allowed by NASA for the spacewalk.