Neil Armstrong: First Man on the Moon Dead

The First Man on the Moon has passed away. Neil Armstrong has died at the age of 82. As the leader of the Apollo 11 crew, Armstrong was the man to set foot on the moon. On July 20, 1969 he spoke the now legendary words, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."He died just a few weeks after undergoing heart surgery. He had the procedure to address a blocked coronary artery.

According to NASA’s official government website, Armstrong was a “reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his job.” In addition to being an astronaut, he was a navy fighter pilot who flew 78 combat missions during the Korean War.

Armstrong’s family released a statement after the news of his death, making a simple request for those wanting to honor the astronaut’s legendary life.

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.

Watch Video of the Apollo 11 Landing on the Moon’s Surface