His family called him "a reluctant American hero," who was just doing his job.
But Neil A. Armstrong, who died Saturday in Cincinnati at age 82 of complications from heart bypass surgery, was a hero.
He was just shy of his 39th birthday when he lumbered down the ladder from the Apollo 11 spacecraft and stepped onto the stark lunar landscape on July 20, 1969.
"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," he said, as Americans around the country watched in awe at the live footage from dark space, so far away.
That step fulfilled a challenge President John F. Kennedy issued in the early 1960s —to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade.
Armstrong began his career as a Navy fighter pilot and test pilot before being tapped for a highly selective position as a NASA astronaut in 1962.
NASA's website featured a photo of Armstrong in his flight suit, with a simple: "Neil Armstrong, 1930-2012."
“He remained an advocate of aviation and exploration throughout his life and never lost his boyhood wonder of these pursuits," his family said in a statement released by NASA.
His family had one request for the American people.
"Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink.”
Where were you during the first moon landing? What was Neil Armstrong's contribution to American history? Tell us in comments.
"But Armstrong said immediately after the 1969 landing that he had been misquoted. He said he actually said, "That's one small step for `a' man." It's just that people just didn't hear it." I think it played out all the better for him given the misquote though. Quite a feat! http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBIT_NEIL_ARMSTRONG_ABOUT_THAT_QUOTE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-08-26-04-01-54
McGibblets: Armstrong was not misquoted. Listen for yourself: http://youtu.be/Z9WDsgCIroE. He also claimed that the electronics dropped out the "a," but I don't think do. Armstrong can be forgiven for flubbing his line. He still had the Right Stuff.
knowing who he was - he later came down to the scope where I was 'properly' introduced! Shared some deep sky stuff with him and he thanked me before leaving - that felt wierd. One thing he said (in the coffee shack) I will treasure forever; he asked me what got me interested in astronomy and i told him about Daddy spreading a quilt in the front yard (when I was little) and showing me the constellations and telling me the mythology behind them. Keep in mind my Daddy had a 5th grade education - Neil said, "I would have liked to have met him." He was a most humble and personable man.
"Here men from the planet Earth first set foot on the moon. July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind.” Maybe some day we all can live in peace
find that his life was an inspiration and blessing to this great nation of ours! Rest in Peace Neil and may your Creator's peace be with you for Eternity!!!