We've only a very few information about the selection of the
NASA astronaut group 5. Of 351 applications
received by
NASA only 159 met the basic criteria (100 military and
59 civilian); it is however unclear how many of these applicants proceeded to
medical examination; some sources stating that all 159 were medically examined,
others as few as 30 (which would be in line with the 1959, 1962 and 1963
selections). The applicants were reduced to a short list of 35 finalists. Names
were never published.