Neil Armstrong Hero Notes By Kevin Gamache

Q. #1 What was his early life like? Neil Alden Armstrong was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, on August 5, Became an eagle scout as a child and was rewarded with the silver Buffalo Award when he was older ("Neil Armstrong“). In 1950, he served in the Korean war as a Navy fighter pilot. He flew 78 combat missions and received the Air Medal with two Gold Stars. After the war, enrolled in Purdue University ("Neil Armstrong" ). He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering ("Neil Armstrong" ). Armstrong then became a civilian test pilot with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), later named NASA. He flew at the High-Speed Flight Station at Edwards Air Force Base ("Neil Armstrong" ). He flew many high-speed aircraft, including the 4,000-mph X-15. Armstrong flew more than 200 different kinds of aircraft, including jets, rockets, helicopters and gliders ("Neil Armstrong" ).

Early life continued Had a job in his local town as a kid and was always interested in aviation. Started flying lessons at 15 and at 16 got his pilots license even before he got his car license (Millis). He was an engineer as well as a pilot and that combination was rare (Millis). Almost died in several crashes during test flights (Millis).

Q. #2 Why will his actions be remembered throughout history? July 20 th, 1969 Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon and said "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind“ (Millis). It was the result of years of research and development at a speed faster than our competitors (Millis). Was a great achievement that had never been done before. During the Space Race, space was thought to be the final conquest and Russia and the U.S were racing to claim it. Ended the space race by stepping on the moon and claiming it for the U.S. Was an example of humans drive to strive to be the best, and also an example of the abilities that men can actually achieve. He said the historic words, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." (The Moon Landing).

Q. #3 Why might Neil Armstrong be considered more a cultural icon, rather than a hero? The moon landing being broadcasted gave the rest of the world a chance to watch the event for themselves. A camera in the Lunar Module provided live television coverage to the earth. People saw this event all over the world and the space mission and those that followed became part of the culture of that time. People felt more of a connection when watching the astronauts walk on the moon and that made the astronauts famous and house hold names. Some might believe that the only reason they were famous was because they were televised. Some people might not have realized the significance of the event and how it affected history.

Q. # 4 Why was he the first man to step on the moon? 1957 was selected for the Man in Space Soonest (MISS) program (Millis) Was selected to be first American civilian to fly in space (Millis). Flew the Gemini mission serving as command pilot, the objective was to be the first ever docking with another space craft, they failed due to complication (Millis). Was a good experienced test pilot. He was chosen to step on the moo over Aldrin because Aldrin was party of the military while Armstrong was a civilian, they wanted a civilian to be the first man to step on the moon.

Q. # 5 What was the space race and what was its significance to what was happening in the world at the time? In President Kennedy's speech to Congress, on May 25, 1961 he addressed the concern that Russia was beating the U.S in space and that the U.S needed to catch up by putting a man on the moon (The Moon Landing). The Space Race came after WW2 and was during the cold war between the U.S and Russia the two strongest nations on the globe (The Moon Landing). It was democracy vs. Totalitarian communism (The Moon Landing). By wining the space race Neil Armstrong and his crew helped America by giving us the psychological edge over Russia. Made America look like the superior country that would inevitably win the cold war.

Q. # 7 What did Armstrong do after the Apollo mission. After the lunar landing, Armstrong became Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics at NASA. He over saw the overall research and technology work related to aeronautics helped develop new space crafts ("Neil Armstrong“). He became a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati from 1971 to 1979, followed by serving as chairman of Computing Technologies for Aviation, Inc. in Charlottesville, Virginia, from 1982 to 1992 ("Neil Armstrong“). Armstrong also has served as a member of the National Commission on Space (1985 to 1986). He was the vice-chairman of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident in 1986, and served as chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Peace Corps from 1971 to 1973 ("Neil Armstrong“). He married Janet Shearon in 1956, have two sons. He lives in Ohio, and is lives a very private life away from media ("Neil Armstrong“).

Works Cited Baxter, Roberta. "EBSCOhost: Neil Armstrong: Learning to Fly." EBSCO Publishing Service Selection Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan Brinkley, Douglas. "EBSCOhost: THE MAN AND THE MOON." EBSCO Publishing Service Selection Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan Farhi, Paul. "Neil Armstrong Took One Small Step, Then Made a Giant Retreat Into Private Life." Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Jan Millis, Â John P., and Ph.D. "Neil Armstrong - Biography of Neil Armstrong - The First Man on the Moon." Space & Astronomy at About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Feb

Works Cited "NASA - Apollo 11." NASA - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan "Neil Armstrong." United States American History. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Feb "Space Race Exhibition." Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Feb "The Moon Landing." Kidport Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Feb