NASA’s Moon landing efforts bore fruit on July 20, 1969, when Apollo 11 safely reached the lunar surface. The historic Apollo mission was led by “reluctant American hero” Neil Armstrong, alongside astronauts Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin. As mission commander, Armstrong had the privilege of being the first man to walk on the Moon. But up until his death the age of 82 on August 27, 2012, the astronaut shied away from the spotlight, choosing instead to live a private life.
Now, as the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing fast approaches, a re-released rare interview from 2005 has revealed why Commander Armstrong never embraced his celebrity status.
Speaking to Ed Bradley on a special edition of PBS’ 60 Minutes, the astronaut humbly denied responsibility for the success of Apollo 11.
When asked about his humility, Armstrong simply said: “I just don’t deserve it.”
Three men flew to the Moon and back in the summer of 1969 and two of them – Armstrong and Aldrin – landed on the lunar orb.
Back on Earth, the Moon landing was backed by the tireless work of 400,000 men and women in the space race.
Over the years, Armstrong has diverted all praise and applause to these unnamed members of the Apollo programme who made the Moon landing a possibility.
I just don’t deserve it
Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11 astronaut
The humble appearance in the eye of the public has earned the astronaut the title of a reluctant hero.
When Armstrong died in 2012, his family said in a statement: “Neil was our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
“Neil Armstrong was also a reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his job.”
The astronaut was survived by his Apollo 11 crewmates as well as his two wives and two sons.
Buzz Aldrin, who walked alongside Armstrong on the Moon, shared his heartbreak at not being able to celebrate the 50th Apollo 11 anniversary with his friend
He said: “I had truly hoped that on July 20th, 2019, Neil, Mike and I would be standing together to commemorate the 50th anniversary of our Moon landing, as we also anticipated the continued expansion of humanity into space, that our small mission helped make possible.
“Regrettably, this is not to be. Neil will most certainly be there with us in spirit.”
Neil Armstrong joined NASA’s astronaut corps in 1962, following a career as a US Navy aviator.
On his very first space flight, Armstrong took command of NASA’s Gemini 8 mission in 1966.
In 1968, after serving as the back-up commander for Apollo 8, the astronaut was given reigns over the upcoming Apollo 11 mission.
But even that, Armstrong claimed, was a matter of circumstance.
He told 60 Minutes: “I wasn’t chosen to be first, I was just chosen to command that flight.
“Circumstance put me in that particular role. That wasn’t planned by anyone.”
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