Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11’s 1st Man on the Moon, Dead at 82

The family of the first man ever to set foot on the moon announced today that Neil Armstrong passed away at the age of 82.  In a statement issued by the family, it said Armstrong died of complications resulting from cardiovascular procedures.  Armstrong resided in suburban Cincinnati, but the statement did not indicate where he died.

Armstrong made world history in July, 1969 by commanding the Apollo 11 spacecraft that touched softly down on the moon’s surface.  Armstrong’s first words transmitted from the moon after climbing from the Eagle lunar module, “that’s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind” have been cemented in the minds of millions worldwide after being broadcast to the world.

Armstrong was a Korean war pilot and joined NASA in 1962 and later became backup commander for the Apollo 8 project that was commanded by Frank Borman.  It was later that Armstrong was chosen to command the historic Apollo 11 mission.  It is reported that 600 million watched and/or listened to hear the words “Eagle has landed.”

Armstrong is survived by his wife of 18 years, Carol Held Knight Armstrong.