Posted on 03/11/2010 1:01:48 AM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Legendary astronaut and former Navy pilot received a pair of honorary Naval Astronaut Wings in a ceremony aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) March 10 in recognition for his dedicated service to the Navy and in the field of space exploration.
Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon July 20, 1969, was aboard Ike as part of the "Legends of Aerospace" tour sponsored by Morale Entertainment.
"Today is a special occasion for all of naval aviation. As you can imagine, it is a tremendous honor for me to present Neil Armstrong with astronaut wings," said Ike's Commanding Officer, Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne. "We present these wings on behalf of the generations of naval aviators – past, present and future."
Described by many as humble and unassuming, Armstrong accepted the wings with great honor.
"I take these wings with great pleasure and great pride," said Armstrong. "I have made certain achievements in my life and been recognized many times, but, there is no achievement I value more highly then when I received the wings of gold [for naval aviation]; to be given a second pair of gold wings is just as special."
Prior to the Ike visit, in a conversation with retired Capt. Edward F. Bronson, Armstrong, who served as a naval aviator from 1949 to 1952, mentioned he never received a pair Naval Astronaut Wings. The wings were not authorized prior to 1961 when they were first presented to Cmdr. Alan Shepard Jr.
"I have learned so much throughout my career and I owe a tremendous amount to the Navy," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at navy.mil ...
Neil Armstrong, a true gentleman and scholar. American hero. I’m glad the Navy recognized him this way. I’m quite sure he was a civilian at the time of the moon landing; a nice gesture.
Neil Armstrong’s will probably be one of the few names still recognized 500 years from now. I’d love to get his autograph. He never gives it, I’ve heard. Wonder why?
I got Alan Bean's on a copy of one of his moon paintings a few years ago. I had an opportunity to chat with him about flying and his moon trip for a few minutes. Being that I'm a long time pilot it was a very special occasion for me.
He didn’t like how they were being sold on venues like eBay.
ping
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I Like Ike *ping*
Armstrong landed on the Moon in 1969. WTF?
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