Neil Armstrong

1930-2012

First Man On The Moon

Astronaut Neil Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930 in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He went to Blume High School and took flying lessns while there. He began his naval career as a navy cadet at Purdue University. He was called to active duty during the Korean War, during which he flew 78 combat missions. In 1961, he joined the astronaut program, and by 1966 was commander of Gemini VIII. Three years later, as commander of the Apollo XI mission, Armstrong became the first person to step on the moon. Following his retirement from NASA, Armstrong joined the faculty at the University of Cincinnati.