Whatever Happened to Neil Armstrong?

Astronaut's First Steps on the Moon Were Legendary, but the Man Remains Largely a Mystery

(CBS)  Commander Neil Armstrong's words defined our history. His historic first step onto the moon in 1969 truly was "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Even his name is larger than life.

And yet the man who realized one of our greatest dreams has remained largely a mystery, reports CBS' "The Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith.

Uncomfortable in the spotlight, it took Armstrong, now 78, more than 30 years to grant his first television interview with CBS' Ed Bradley.

"I guess we all like to be recognized not for one piece of fireworks but for the ledger of our daily work," he said during a 2005 interview on "60 Minutes."

There were rumors Armstrong had converted to Islam; that he had gone into hiding - all false.

The truth is Armstrong considers himself more "engineer" than "risk-taker."

"Of all of the astronauts, Neil really is on the far end of the systematic thinking engineering type," said James R. Hansen, Armstrong's authorized biographer.

But from the beginning, Armstrong had the "right stuff." He earned his wings before getting a driver's license and flew 4,000-mph rocket planes.

His wife Janet said that while she had fears about the ambitious moon mission, she had no misgivings about her husband.

"This is what Neil wanted to do and I knew that when I married him," she said on "The Early Show" Monday.

His children also watched their father's mission with faith it would all work out.

"I knew it was going to work. I mean, I just didn't have any doubt that everything was going to go well," said Rick Armstrong, who was 12 years old at the time.

Mark Armstrong, then 6, said he was "blissfully unaware of the dangers involved."

But having conquered the risks of space flight, Armstrong returned to more earthly pursuits. A professor at the University of Cincinnati in the 1970s and a board member of various corporations, Armstrong's most public role after his legendary moon mission was on the commission investigating the Challenger disaster in 1986.

"I admire the character of integrity that he has lived his life with," said Hansen. "That is a legacy for the first man on the moon that we can all be very proud of."

Even though Armstrong flies with a glider now, the first man on the moon is still at home with his feet on the ground.

[thgdriver]

Imagine being the first human being to set foot on another object in space other then the planet Earth. It does not matter if other humans go to Mars, another moon, or to some planet whirling around another sun in another galaxy, Neil was first. The whole world watched. Our moon walk that day was watched on TV, listened to by radio or read about by hundreds of millions around the world. Our planet of many countries was one for a short time in history. It was a good feeling.

[roth5101]

I HAVE SPECIAL FEELINGS FOR NEIL ARMSTRONG AND THE CREW OF APOLLO 11.
MY FIRST CHILD, A SON, WAS BORN ON JULY 20TH, 1969 JUST AS NEIL STEPPED DOWN ON THE MOON; RIGHT AROUND 11;17 PM.

[picklepants7]

i would like to know if armstrong botched his line, or was it just poor reception that altered the line he said. it really doesn't make sense. one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. it should have read, one small step for "A" man, one giant leap for mankind, it makes more sense. he is truly one of the greatest americans ever. god bless you.

[moonbeam91]

I'm very proud to add that my two little boys ( one four months & the other sixteen monthS old) watched the landing. These EXPLORERS incredible feat made me aware at that moment how tremendously proud I felt to be an American. Thank you to all of you who made that day in '69 so special! We need to have the government & all of us keep NASA going strong.

[MATZELLEN]

Would like you to know...EARLY SHOW...that CBS is on my TASK BAR and I'm so busy moving from Chicago,(my birthplace)that I haven't been able to take the time to ..."READ ALL ABOUT IT!"...or anything yet for that matter. Thanks for honoring Neil Armstrong. I read about how he feels about his legendary visit and WALK on the moon at Wikipedia. I agree with this super Navy Pilot. We all think of Neil every July 20, and will be honoring Dad's passing. BTW we also have a grandson/cousin that joined the US NAVY and became a Corpsman with the "Commandos" attached to the Marines. He tried be a Navy Seal. Like so many others didn't make it. Thanks for listening. You may reply if you find the time.

[cpqdk07191969]

So, what DID happen to Neil Armstrong?

He became one of the happiest and most content persons in the USA.

Partly because he has almost NO contact with the rest of the population.

Beam me up, Mr. Armstrong....

[culturechang]

Who was the astronaut who became a US senator? Is he still a Senator?

[novamba]

John Glenn, he retired not too long ago from the senate. He also went to space a few years back. He is a retired USMC Colonel as well, OOO-RAHHHH, Another all around american hero, and the first American to orbit the earth.

[piquant00]

Harrison "Jack" Schmitt was also a US Senator (R-NM) from 1977 to 1983.

[piquant00]

Harrison "Jack" Schmitt was also a US Senator (R-NM) from 1977 to 1983.

[picklepants7]

that was john glenn you are thinking of. i don't know if he still is a senator though.

[licht1]

After 40 years, one thing is clear: the future is not what it used to be.

See:

http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/07/20/the-future-is-not-what-it-us

[ejcspau]

They forgot to mention he is an Eagle Scout. All Cub Scouts and
Boy Scouts are very proud that one of ours was the first to step on the moon. "The Eagle has landed" is true in more ways than one!

[Slrman]

Here is a true American Icon. Brave, unassuming, and quietly doing his job better than anyone else.

[cpqdk07191969]

Bravo to Neil Armstrong!

No doubt he is the greatest pilot ever in the USA, perhaps in the world.

He is utterly dedicated to his work, and an intensely private man.

He did appear in the opening credits of a cable show on aviation, on the Discovery channel if I remember right.

He was filmed at an aviation "living" museum. The primitive airplane he sat in still flies in their airshows today.

He demanded that the airplane and camera be put in place, then everybody must leave the premises other than the owner of the museum. BTW, the owner was the late Cole Palen, who was almost as famous and eccentric as Armstrong.

Just those two men filmed the short piece.

Then Armstrong quietly went home.

Truly a great man.

[MATZELLEN]

I could not have said this better. Thank you! It is "THE" day that we 3 girls ...2 daughters & a Mom found that...what I (MOM) still maintain to this day that Dad passed and went to watch Neil be the 1st man to walk the moon July 20, 1969. Neil came back and Dad's spirit is still up there. Dad served in the Illinois Nat'l Guard 108th Engineers 3 yrs. and added the Pacific theater to his credit of 5 more years. Came back and gave me 23 1/2 wonderful years before the Moon Walk. Dad is an Honoree of the WWII Memorial registry. Thanks for listening. [e-mail]