Neil Armstrong

NAME Neil Alden Armstrong

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Neil Armstrong is most famous for being the first person to set foot on the moon during NASA's Apollo 11 mission in 1969. His words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," have become iconic in the history of space exploration.

BIRTH Neil Alden Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio, United States.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Neil Armstrong was the son of Stephen Koenig Armstrong and Viola Louise Engel. His father worked as an auditor for the state government, and his mother was a homemaker. Neil had two siblings, a younger brother named Dean and a younger sister named June.

CHILDHOOD Growing up in Ohio, Neil Armstrong developed a fascination with flight and space exploration from a young age. 

He developed a passion for aviation at a young age and earned his pilot's license at 16

His first taste of flight came at the ripe old age of five, courtesy of a Ford Trimotor – a rickety contraption also known as the "Tin Goose." Sounds about as safe as balancing on a washtub full of pigeons, but hey, it sparked a lifelong love affair with aviation in young Neil.

Young Neil achieved the rank of Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)

EDUCATION Neil Armstrong attended Blume High School in Wapakoneta, where he excelled in science and mathematics. He later studied aeronautical engineering at Purdue University on a Navy scholarship.

CAREER RECORD After completing his studies at Purdue University, Neil Armstrong joined the United States Navy and became a naval aviator. After achieving interstellar fame, Armstrong wasn't one for basking in the spotlight. He got his Master's degree in engineering (because, you know, walking on the Moon wasn't enough), became a teacher, and even helped design an artificial heart-lung system based on Apollo technology. Talk about your transferable skills! Here's his resume:

U.S. Navy pilot (Korean War)

Test pilot at NACA/NASA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics)

Astronaut (NASA's second astronaut class)

Commander of Gemini VIII (first docking of two spacecraft in space)

Commander of Apollo 11 (first lunar landing mission)

Professor of Aerospace Engineering at University of Cincinnati

APPEARANCE Neil Armstrong had an average height and build, with a calm and composed demeanor. He had short brown hair (turning gray later in life) and blue eyes. 

FASHION Armstrong was known for his practicality and professionalism. He primarily wore military uniforms, and academic attire.

As an astronaut, Neil Armstrong typically wore the iconic white spacesuit during missions.

Photo of Neil Armstrong, July 1969, in space suit with the helmet off

CHARACTER Neil Armstrong was known for his humility, intelligence, and bravery. He was described as a quiet and reserved individual who remained grounded despite his historic achievements.

SENSE OF HUMOR While Armstrong was known for his seriousness and focus during missions, he also had a subtle sense of humor that he occasionally displayed among colleagues and friends.

RELATIONSHIPS Neil Armstrong was married twice. His first marriage was to Janet Elizabeth Shearon, with whom he had three children: Eric, Karen, and Mark. After divorcing Janet in 1994, Armstrong married Carol Knight the same year.

Armstrong first met Carol Knight, at a golf tournament in 1992. Not exactly the most romantic setting, but hey, love works in mysterious ways. They were stuck at the breakfast table together, probably grumbling about the lukewarm coffee and dodgy scrambled eggs, and next thing you know, sparks were flying.

Two weeks later, Armstrong, ever the efficient fellow, decided to check in with Carol. "What are you up to?" he asks, his voice likely as dry as a desert wind. "Oh, just chopping down a cherry tree," she replies, probably wielding an axe with the nonchalance of someone buttering toast. And Armstrong, a man of action if ever there was one, didn't hesitate. Half an hour later, he was at her doorstep, ready to lend a hand (and possibly avoid any rogue branches aimed at his head). They were married in Ohio on June 12, 1994, and stayed wed until his death.

MONEY AND FAME As a pioneering astronaut and the first person to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong achieved worldwide fame and received numerous awards and honors throughout his life.

Armstrong lived a modest life despite his fame and donated his time and expertise to various causes.

Apparently, Armstrong wasn't a fan of his signature being plastered on everything from baseball cards to chewing gum, so he shut down the whole autograph racket. A man of principles, that Armstrong.

FOOD AND DRINK Neil Armstrong's favorite foods reportedly included steak and eggs, but as an astronaut, he primarily consumed specially prepared space food during missions.

MUSIC AND ARTS While Neil Armstrong's primary focus was on science and engineering, he appreciated music and the arts as well.

LITERATURE Armstrong enjoyed reading science fiction and technical literature related to space exploration.

NATURE As an aviator and astronaut, Neil Armstrong had a deep appreciation for the beauty and vastness of space and often spoke about the awe-inspiring views he witnessed during his missions.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS In his free time, Neil Armstrong enjoyed flying, sailing, and spending time outdoors. Later in life he flew gliders.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Neil Armstrong had a strong passion for aeronautical engineering and mathematics, which he pursued both academically and professionally throughout his life.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Armstrong's experiences as an astronaut led him to contemplate the significance of humanity's place in the universe, but he generally kept his personal beliefs private.

SCANDAL Neil Armstrong was not associated with any scandals throughout his life. He maintained a reputation of integrity and professionalism.

MILITARY RECORD Before strapping on a spacesuit, though, Armstrong was a Navy pilot, serving in the Korean War. He wasn't exactly a weekend warrior – 78 missions over Korea put him firmly in the "gung ho" category.  After that, he became a test pilot, a job description that basically translates to "guy who flies incredibly expensive things at terrifying speeds." He earned several awards and commendations for his service.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Neil Armstrong maintained excellent physical fitness throughout his life, which was essential for his career as an astronaut. 

Armstrong once got his wedding ring ripped off by a tractor – ouch. But being the resourceful fellow he was, he packed the finger (and the ring!) in ice and drove himself to the hospital. Like a true hero, he didn't even flinch.

HOMES Neil Armstrong lived in various locations throughout his life, including Ohio, Texas, and Ohio again after his retirement.

TRAVEL As an astronaut, Neil Armstrong traveled extensively for training and space missions, including to the moon and back.

His first spaceflight was the NASA Gemini 8 mission, for which he was the command pilot. On this mission, Armstrong performed the first manned docking of two spacecraft with pilot David Scott on March 16, 1966. It was like a celestial game of bumper cars, but with considerably less bumping.

Of course, the big one was Apollo 11. Armstrong wasn't just along for the ride, though. He was the first human to ever set foot on the moon. That's right, the first footprint in lunar dust belonged to this guy from Ohio. You'd think he'd want to take a souvenir, maybe a moon rock or two. Nope. Armstrong actually wanted to bring a football – but NASA, in all its infinite wisdom, said no dice. Party poopers.

He even found time to explore the other end of the Earth, joining Sir Edmund Hillary (the first guy to conquer Everest, no big deal) on a trip to the North Pole. Seems Armstrong just couldn't resist the call of the unknown, no matter which direction it was in.

DEATH Neil Armstrong passed away on August 25, 2012, at the age of 82, following complications from cardiovascular surgery.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Neil Armstrong's historic moon landing was widely covered by the media, and he made numerous appearances in documentaries, films, and television programs.

Armstrong's authorized biography, First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong, was published in 2005. A film adaptation of the book, starring Ryan Gosling as Armstrong was released in October 2018.

Armstrong hosted a TV show called First Flights. Imagine it – the first guy on the Moon explaining the history of aviation, from rickety balloons to ear-splitting X-15 rocket planes. The show ran for three seasons, a delightful ode to humankind's never-ending quest to conquer the skies. 

One last thing – Armstrong was the great-uncle of Billie Joe Armstrong, the lead singer of Green Day. So, the next time you hear "Basket Case" blasting from your speakers, remember, there's a moonwalker lurking in the family tree.

ACHIEVEMENTS Neil Armstrong's greatest achievement was undoubtedly being the first person to set foot on the moon. His contributions to space exploration have left an indelible mark on human history, inspiring generations to come. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, and many other honors