Neil Armstrong, first man on the moon, passes away (+video)
Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first human to set foot on the moon, is remembered by his family as a 'reluctant American hero.'
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He was a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco. He served as a member of the National Commission on Space (1985-1986), as Vice Chairman of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident (1986), and as Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Peace Corps (1971-1973).
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Armstrong was decorated by 17 nations and was awarded many special honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom; the Congressional Space Medal of Honor; the Explorers Club Medal; the Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. He was also bestowed with the Harmon International Aviation Trophy; the Royal Geographic Society's Gold Medal; the Federation Aeronautique Internationale's (FAI) Gold Space Medal; the American Astronautical Society (AAS) Flight Achievement Award; the Robert J. Collier Trophy and the AIAA Astronautics Award. Armstrong received the Octave Chanute Award and the John J. Montgomery Award.
In 2011, Armstrong and his Apollo 11 crewmates received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award bestowed by Congress.
"For those who may ask what they can do to honor Neil, we have a simple request," his family wrote. "Honor his example of service, accomplishment and modesty, and the next time you walk outside on a clear night and see the moon smiling down at you, think of Neil Armstrong and give him a wink."
Armstrong is survived by his wife, two sons, a step son and step daughter, ten grandchildren, and a brother and a sister.
This story was updated at 8:18 p.m. ET.
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