Neil Armstrong By Jennifer Grech It was July

Neil Armstrong By Jennifer Grech

• It was July 20, 1969 when Neil Armstrong spoke what must be considered the most famous words of the 20 th century, "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". This, of course, was the day that men from Earth first set foot on the Moon.

• It was the culmination of years of research and development, success and failure, and bitter competition from our feared rivals. And it was the words of a 38 year old Neil Armstrong that echo in the annals of history.

• Neil Armstrong was born August 5, 1930 on a farm in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He moved around the state for most of his young life, before his family finally settled back in Wapakoneta in 1944. There Neil held many jobs around town, especially at the local airport as he was always fascinated with aviation. After starting flying lessons at the age of 15, he was awarded a pilot’s license on his 16 th birthday, before he had earned a driver's license.

• Naturally interested in aviation, Armstrong decided to pursue a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. This scholarship sent deserving recipients to University for the completion of their bachelors degree before committing to at least three years of Naval service. At the conclusion of their time in the Navy, they would return to school for two more years of advanced study.

• He later completed his master's degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Southern California in 1970.

• Neil Armstrong earned his wings at 20 years of age, making him the youngest pilot in his squadron. He then flew 78 combat mission in Korea, earning three medals, including the Korean Service Medal. But Armstrong was sent home before the conclusion of the war and finished his Bachelors degree in 1955.

• In 1957 Armstrong was selected for the ironically named Man In Space Soonest (MISS) program. Then in September of 1963 he was selected as the first American civilian to fly in space. (Russia launched civilian Valentina Tereshkova into space in June of 1963, beating Armstrong to space. )

• In 1966 Armstrong flew on the Gemini 8 mission which launched March 16. Serving as Command Pilot, the crew was to complete the first ever docking with another space craft, an unmanned Agena target vehicle. After 6. 5 hours in orbit they were able to dock with the craft, but due to complications they were unable to complete what would have been the third ever "extravehicular activity" -- now referred to as a spacewalk.

• Armstrong also served as the CAPCOM -- typically the only person who directly communicates with the astronauts during missions to space -- for Gemini 11. However, it was not until the Apollo program began that Armstrong ventured into space.

• • The End