"Neil Armstrong" (1930 – 2012) US astronaut

Neil Armstrong was a man who left an indelible mark on history. Born in Wapakoneta, Ohio on August 5, 1930, Armstrong was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer. He was best known as the first person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.

Armstrong was interested in flying from a young age, receiving his pilot’s license when he was only 16 years old. He attended Purdue University where he studied aeronautical engineering and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1955. He then joined the Navy and became a test pilot, during which time he flew over 200 different types of aircraft. After the Navy, Armstrong joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and then NASA in 1962. Armstrong was part of the Gemini 8 mission, which was the first successful space docking mission. He was the commander of the Apollo 11 mission, during which he became the first human to set foot on the Moon. Armstrong famously uttered the phrase “that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” as he took his first steps on the lunar surface. After the Apollo 11 mission, Armstrong retired from NASA and became a professor at the University of Cincinnati. He also served on several advisory committees and wrote several books about space exploration. Armstrong was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, among other awards. He received numerous honors during his lifetime, and his legacy continues to inspire many. Armstrong passed away on August 25, 2012, but his legacy and impact will live on for many years to come. Neil Armstrong was a true hero and a pioneer in the field of space exploration. His courage and determination set the stage for future space exploration and will always be remembered.