Legendary heroes

James Lovell (left) and Northsider Harold McDonald

Apollo 13 was launched at 1:13 p.m. CST April 17, 1970. NASA selected Navy Capt. James Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert on the fifth space shot to the moon. Early on the third day and some 200,000 miles from home, Apollo 13 was rocked by a terrific explosion. Quickly the power began fading out as lighted instrument panels faded and the air got thinner as oxygen leaked out of the larger module space craft.