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The Apollo 11 crew leaves Kennedy Space Center's Manned Spacecraft Operations Building during the pre-launch countdown. Mission commander Neil Armstrong, command module pilot Michael Collins, and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin prepare to ride the special transport van to Launch Complex 39A where their spacecraft awaited them. Liftoff occurred at 9:32 a.m. EDT, July 16, 1969. Image credit: NASA

Neil Armstrong, one of America's greatest heroes and Naval aviators. he has been known in many roles including as a decorated Korean War veteran, as an astronaut for NASA, and as the first man to walk on the moon. He inspired generations of Americans and people world wide. Neil Armstrong commanded the Apollo 11 that landed men on the moon on July 20th 1969. He was a test-pilot school at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave desert. At NASA, Neil once ejected just 2 minutes before his “Flying Bedstead” crashed, which was designed to train the moon landing.

Armstrong's words "That is one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind," spoken on July 20, 1969, as he became the first person ever to step onto another planetary body, instantly became a part of history.

Apollo 11 lunar module pilot and fellow moonwalker Buzz Aldrin on Armstrong's passing: “I am very saddened to learn of the passing of Neil Armstrong today. Neil and I trained together as technical partners but were also good friends who will always be connected through our participation in the Apollo 11 mission. Whenever I look at the moon it reminds me of the moment over four decades ago when I realized that even though we were farther away from earth than two humans had ever been, we were not alone."

Apollo 11 command module pilot Michael Collins said simply, “He was the best, and I will miss him terribly.”

Neil Armstrong (1930 - 2012) died at the age of 82. Armstrong is survived by his wife, two sons, a stepson, a stepdaughter, 10 grandchildren, and a brother and sister.

Armstrong's family released the following statement on Saturday "Neil Armstrong was also a reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his job. He served his Nation proudly, as a navy fighter pilot, test pilot, and astronaut. He also found success back home in his native Ohio in business and academia, and became a community leader in Cincinnati."