Joined the U.S. Marine Corp in January of 1958. By 1969 he moved to NASA becoming an
astronaut. Retired with the rank of Colonel from NASA and the Marine
Corps in May 1986.
In 1954 he graduated from Westlake High School, moving on to Baldwin
Wallace College, graduating in 1958 with a degree in Physics. His post
graduate work from the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School resulted in a
masters of science degree in 'Aeronautics' with a major in
'Aeronautical Engineering' by 1964. Overmyer later received an Honorary
Doctor of Philosophy degree from Baldwin Wallace College, in 1982.