Jonny Kim
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Kim in August 2017
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| Born | Jonathan Yong Kim (1984-02-05) February 5, 1984 (age 40)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Education |
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| Children | 3 |
| Space career | |
| NASA Astronaut | |
| Selection | NASA Astronaut Group 22 |
| Military career | |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years | 2002–present |
| Rank | Lieutenant commander |
| Unit |
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| Conflicts | Iraq War |
| Awards | Silver Star |
Jonathan Yong Kim (born 5 February 1984) is an American U.S. Navy lieutenant commander, former SEAL, Naval flight surgeon, Naval aviator, physician, and NASA astronaut.
Born and raised in California, Kim enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the early 2000s before earning a Silver Star, Bronze Star with V device, and his commission. While a U.S. sailor, Kim also received his Bachelor of Arts in mathematics with distinction, his Doctor of Medicine, and an acceptance to NASA Astronaut Group 22 in 2017. He completed his astronaut training in 2020 and was awaiting a flight assignment with the Artemis program as of December 2020[update].
Jonathan Yong Kim was born on 5 February 1984 in Los Angeles, California.[1] His parents emigrated from South Korea to the United States in the early 1980s,[2] and his father had scarcely completed a high-school education. The family opened a liquor storeinSouth Los Angeles, and his mother worked as a substitute elementary school teacher while raising Kim and his younger brother.[3] In a 2018 interview with Annals of Emergency Medicine, Kim described himself as "the epitome of that quiet kid who just lacked complete self-confidence."[4] In 2020, The Chosun Ilbo reported that the adolescent Kim had been the victim of domestic violence at the hands of his father; in February 2002, after threatening his family with a gun, Kim's father was shot to death in his attic by police.[5]
AtSanta Monica High School,[6] Kim received high grades in his classes, including several Advanced Placements, while participating in swimming and water polo;[3] he graduated in 2002. Kim received a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, in mathematics from the University of San Diego in 2012, and a Doctor of Medicine from Harvard Medical School in 2016. Kim was a Pat Tillman Foundation "Tillman Scholar" selectee. In 2017, Kim completed his medical internshipinemergency medicineatMassachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital.[6]
As of January 2020[update], Kim was married[7] with three children.[8]
Kim learned about and decided to become a Navy SEAL at age 16, investing his remaining high-school years physically conditioning himself for the rigors of Special Warfare training. Of this decision, Kim said, "Going into the Navy was the best decision I ever made in my life because it completely transformed that scared boy who didn't have any dreams to someone who started to believe in himself."[4]
After enlisting with the United States Navy in 2002 as a seaman recruit, Kim graduated BUD/S class 247 and was assigned to SEAL Team 3 with the rating Special Warfare Operator. He deployed twice to the Middle East and participated in over 100 combat missions as a combat medic, sniper, navigator, and point man.[6] During his tenure with the SEALs, Kim served with PO2s Marc Alan Lee and Michael A. Monsoor.[7] In 2009,[6] Kim was accepted to the STA-21 commissioning program;[9] when he graduated from the University of San Diego in 2012 and left the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps, Kim entered the Medical Corps.[6]
On 6 June 2022, Kim completed his first solo flight in a Beechcraft T-6 Texan II at the Naval Air Training Command, part of a common training regimen for U.S. Navy – NASA astronauts who lacked previous military pilot experience.[9] After further training on the Northrop T-38 Talon and TH-57 helicopter, Kim formally completed his flight training in March 2023 at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, receiving the rare dual-designation as both a Naval flight surgeon and naval aviator.[10]
Kim is a recipient of a Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal (with Combat "V"), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with Combat "V"), and Combat Action Ribbon.[7] According to Jocko Willink, Kim's Silver Star was awarded for rescuing multiple wounded Iraqi soldiers in the face of enemy fire.[11] As of July 2023[update], Kim was still described as a Naval officer with the rank of lieutenant commander.[12]
While studying at Harvard Medical School, Kim met and was inspired by astronaut–physician Scott E. Parazynski to apply for Astronaut Candidacy.[4] On June 7, 2017,[13] Kim was one of twelve candidates chosen from a pool of over 18,300 applicants to join NASA Astronaut Group 22.[14] He reported for duty on 21 August 2017,[4] and graduated from training on 10 January 2020.[6]
According to NASA, Kim will work in the Astronaut Office while awaiting a flight assignment.[6] In 2020, Kim began working as a capsule communicator at the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center.[12] On 9 December 2020, NASA formally announced that Kim would join 17 other astronauts in training for a 2024 Moon landing.[15] In July 2023, he was serving as operations officer, supporting crew operations.[12]
This January, Johnny Kim became an astronaut on NASA's Mars expedition. Confessions of a Childhood Abused by His Father
The 'wouldn't believe it if it weren't true' list of accomplishments of Astronaut Jonny Kim keeps growing. Now he's becoming a pilot.
Harvard Medical School grad to depart residency for astronaut training
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NASA Astronaut Group 22, "The Turtles", 2017
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NASA Astronaut Group 21 ← NASA Astronaut Group 22 → NASA Astronaut Group 23 | |||||||
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Canadian partner astronauts: Joshua Kutryk and Jennifer Sidey | |||||||
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