As much as Neil Armstrong meant to the world, he meant even more to America. He was, after all, a genuinely all-American boy, who grew up in “Smallville, U.S.A.,” deep in the heart of Middle America, in various small towns within the State of Ohio, to humble parents, surrounded by small farms and vast cornfields. As much as America’s comic-book hero of the same era, “Superman,” promoted “Truth, Justice, and the American Way,” so, too, did Neil, as a dedicated Boy Scout (who reached Eagle Scout status), baritone horn player in his high school and university marching bands, naval aviator who fought for his country in war, experimental research pilot test flying the most advanced experimental aircraft of the age, and intrepid astronaut. That it was an archetypical American who commanded the first Moon landing, and first stepped out onto another world, seems, indeed, to be the logical culmination of a fundamental essential American destiny, the culmination of generations of adventurous ambitions, pioneering spirits, and exceptionalism. That Neil’s ultimate achievement—becoming “First Man”—was truly not anything predestined singularly for Neil (or anyone else), but was rather a destination in an improbable journey through a labyrinth of historically and biographically contingent circumstances, was a fact Americans largely misunderstood, ignored, or, most of all, preferred to interpret in a more glorious and heroic way.
What Armstrong came to mean to America and Americans can be seen and more clearly interpreted through the prism of the many thousands of letters he received in the years following his Apollo 11 mission. That clarification comes from analyzing not just the letters he received from the country’s young people, which came in droves, but also those cards and letters sent to him by men and women of his own age and older (some much older), many of whom saw in Neil the realization of their own dreams.
The items of correspondence in this chapter have been carefully selected to reflect the rich diversity of materials Neil received. Many hundreds more letters in the Armstrong Papers could easily have been used productively in this chapter. Following several of the letters is a reply from “Neil,” most often from his secretary or assistant at the time (at NASA Headquarters, at the University of Cincinnati, or personally employed by Neil), but in some instances the reply comes from Neil himself. Even when written by an assistant, a reply still very much reflected what Neil wanted to be said. All of his assistants over the years worked very closely with him and knew what he wanted (and what he didn’t)—Neil gave rather precise instructions. For letters containing one or more frequently asked questions or covering subject areas commonly asked about, the assistant would work from a sample letter, tailoring it as necessary.
Most of the letters Neil received were very friendly and cordial, and several in this chapter exhibit elements of true hero-worship. Readers will find a few examples of not-so-friendly letters as well. These came to Neil more often than one might imagine, especially when an earlier request had not been replied to in a way that fully satisfied the letter writer. Such letters show how difficult it was to be First Man because so many people expected such great and immediate positive replies to each of their requests, some of which could be extraordinarily greedy and selfish.
August 8, 1969
Dear Neil Armstrong,
Congratulations on your great, historic flight. I am a 14 year old boy who wishes he could have been right up there with you.
I’m writing you this letter to ask you for a small favor. It would be a very, very, great thrill for me if you would write a little message to me and autograph it. It doesn’t have to be much, just so I knew it came from you. “How you doing, Doug!” would be fine. It would mean an awful lot to me, and I could always use it in school with great pride. To make it easy for you, I will enclose a self-addressed envelope so you can just put it in there and mail it. I hope you will consider it, you don’t know how it would mean to me!
Thank you so much,
Douglas R. Conway
Roanoke, Virginia
From the boy’s mother
August 10, 1969
Dear Neil Armstrong:
The attached letter of sincerest “hero worship” is from my fourteen-year-old son, Douglas, who is suffering from a terminal malignancy. He does not know the gravity of his health problem, and I do not want him to know; however, I thought that if you knew how little time he has left on this earth and that it is within your power to give him the biggest moment of happiness in his short life, perhaps you would be able to find a few moments in your overcrowded schedule to write a few words to him.
As his mother, I should be eternally grateful. As I see the hours of his life run out, I would give him the moon, if I could. YOU are as near as I can come to giving him his greatest heart’s desire; thus, I humbly beg you to help me to give him this special moment of happiness and fulfillment. It would come as a sort of glorious climax at this time.
Most earnestly and sincerely yours,
Nancy M. Conway
(Mrs. Howard V. Conway)
Senior Clerk, Postal Inspection Service
Personal reply from Neil
August 28, 1969
Dear Doug:
Recently I received a letter from you which I enjoyed very much. I am always delighted to hear from our young people—especially those with your kind of interest. I am enclosing an autographed picture of our crew which I hope you will enjoy.
Best of luck and good wishes!
Sincerely,
Neil A. Armstrong
Sincere thank-you from the mother
September 16, 1969
Dear Mr. Armstrong:
On August 28, 1969, you wrote a letter to my son, Douglas Ray Conway, and enclosed an autographed picture of the crew. This is to acknowledge your kindness with heartfelt gratitude. Douglas wrote you that hearing from you would be the happiest moment of his life. Perhaps it was. Just two hours after your letter arrived, he fell sweetly and peacefully asleep with the sweetest little smile on his face, not to awaken again on this earth. A copy of your letter and the picture were buried with him; the originals are framed beside a picture of Douglas in our home.
Everyone who knew and loved Douglas was so happy to see his most important dream come true, and everyone felt like my oldest son, who is a senior at William & Mary College, when he remarked on the “wonder” of living in a world where men, as bound up in world affairs as you must be, still take time out to attend to matters of the heart, a child’s heart.
My prayers and blessing will follow you, and men like you, always! (And I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if somewhere you have a new little guardian angel who joins me in these sentiments.)
Sincerely yours,
Nancy M. Conway
Senior Clerk
“WE HAVE NO SUCH PHOTO ON FILE”
July 27, 1970
To Mr. Neil Armstrong—
Enclosed is a copy of an ad in our Christian Science Monitor which I answered with money and send to the A.T.A. Inc., San Francisco. I have had no reply to my inquiries from that firm.
I have also written the Space Administrations in Houston and Washington, D.C. to see where I can find a picture of Neil Armstrong taking the first steps on the moon. The suggested I write to James R. Dunlop Inc. which I did sending the enclosed copy. They wrote quote, “This photo is apparently a cropped portion of one of the other photos taken on the moon. We have no such photo on file.”
Surely there is one available for the whole world saw Neil Armstrong taking that first step by television.
Please reply as to where I can find this print.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Helen Havens
Orlando, Florida
In Neil Armstrong’s printed handwriting the following was written on the back of the original copy of Mrs. Havens’s letter: “SINCE THE CAMERA WAS STILL IN THE LM COCKPIT, NO PICTURES WERE TAKEN EXCEPT TV AND 16 MM FROM THE RIGHT HAND WINDOW QUITE CLEAR BECAUSE OF THE POOR LIGHTING IN THE LM SHADOW.” The original handwriting was in a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters.
It was on the basis of this information provided by Neil that the letter below was prepared for reply to Mrs. Havens.
Reply from the chief of the Audio Visual Branch at NASA Headquarters
September 3, 1970
Dear Mrs. Havens:
In response to your letter of July 27 to Neil Armstrong, the photograph that appeared in the ad you submitted was taken off of a television monitor. I have enclosed two stills to show you the quality.
As you can imagine, there are literally thousands of pictures available from the television video tape. This exact picture could be obtained by screening the 16mm [illegible] that we have available at our motion picture depository. This exact frame can be obtained this way but it will be expensive. If you wish to pursue this, please let me know.
Sincerely yours,
Les Gaver
Chief, Audio Visual Branch
Public Information Division
NASA Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
“PLEASE DO NOT USE A RUBBER STAMP”
July 28, 1970
Captain Neil Armstrong, US Navy
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington D.C.
Dear Captain Armstrong, Sir:
My apologies to you for intrusion on your time as I realize that you must receive many such requests as below.
If and when you have some time and its convenient to you to do so, could you please autograph your picture on the enclosed copies for me.
Like your self I work for USA in the Defense Supply Agency and I worked on the first instruments made back in 1961 and 1962 for Apollo, that is flight guidance systems at Lear Seigler and then I became Resident Rep. at Barden Bearing Corp. at Danbury.
I would very much appreciate your consideration. If you can, please make the autograph for or to me. I want to have them in my office.
Please do not use a rubber stamp.
THANK YOU SINCERELY,
Alexander F. Nahas
Danbury, Connecticut
“PLEASE INSERT CLAY FOOTPRINT INTO PLASTIC BAG”
August 7, 1970
Dear Sir:
Will you please make one small step for Jan?
My son, Jan, who is quite a fan of yours (myself included) would like to receive an impression of your left foot which you immortalized for enduring posterity, when you, as the first human alighted upon that cosmic temptress—the Moon, and thereby joined mankind in a celestial marriage whose offspring shall be those distant jewels of eternity—the heavenly bodies.
Thus far the achievement of the APOLLO MISSION has yet to be fully fathomed for it’s inevitable proportions when man’s journey resumes toward the many leagues beyond the present veil of the cosmos and our transitory grandeur.
Your participation with the APOLLO crew enraptured me to an akward attempt to translate my feelings poeticaly; and the enclosed poem is the result of that inspiration written during your voyage toward the Moon rendezvous on 20 July 1969.
I have provided within this package moist clay for your footprint, and if you please, using a scriber of sort, your autograph on the longitudinal axis of your footprint; also enclosed the APOLLO ELEVEN commemorative stamp, again, if you please, your autograph on the print side. Please insert clay footprint into plastic bag provided upon completion of doing your “Luna thing”, taping extended opening to top side of package. The enclosed check is to defray costs for returning package in same container, if possible.
It is hoped that your recent appointment within N.A.S.A. will be challenging and rewarding, since your treasured knowledge will enchance future missions immensely.
Most Respectfully,
John Fedock
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
“APOLLO ODYSSEY”
Strewn among radiant jewels of infinity,
Our celestial hope of yearning;
Since time began, still burning
In spacious flight. O vigil light.
Majestic are they in flight
From dawns creation to the brothers Wright;
From the Lone Eagle’s Atlantic solo;
Now—the millenium, journey of Apollo.
Alas! Now, the temptress within grasp,
And anon, together with the past,
Forge the present, bringing the future near;
Closer, ever closer, his new frontier.
Where do we go into the new frontier;
Launched from embryonic hopes and fear,
From the seas of crises and desolation;
To the seas of tranquility and nobility?
John Fedock
20 July 1969
Reply from S. B. Weber, Neil’s assistant
October 9, 1970
Dear Mr. Fedock:
Please accept our apologies for the delay in responding to your letter to Mr. Armstrong. Because of his very heavy schedule of activities for NASA, Mr. Armstrong is unable to respond personally to all of his mail at this time. We regret that he is unable to respond to your request for an impression of his “immortalized” foot. Requests of this nature have become so numerous that it is not feasible to honor any of these. We are, therefore, returning your check, along with the clay.
Since the stamp is too small to easily write on, we are sending you an autographed picture of Mr. Armstrong under separate cover. Your stamp is returned herewith.
Mr. Armstrong appreciated your poem “Apollo Odyssey” and has asked us to convey his sincere thanks for your thoughtfulness in sharing it with him.
Best wishes and, again, thank you for writing.
Sincerely,
S. B. Weber
“IF YOU EVER COME TO ROANOKE…”
September 8, 1970
Dear Neil,
I’d like to wish you a very happy birthday. I hope that you like the birthday card and that you can use the handkerchiefs. I sent along a picture of myself, so you can see what I look like. I recently graduated from high school in June. I have light brown hair and blue eyes. I live in Troutville, which is near Roanoke. You should visit Virginia. I think it’s very beautiful here, especially in the spring and fall. Knowing what I know about you, I would say you would love it here. If you ever come to Roanoke, you have a standing invitation to stay at our house.
I enjoy reading about space missions and the astronauts. I keep a file on each mission as it comes up. My largest file, of course, was Apollo 11. I can remember the excitement I felt when Eagle touched down on the moon. I cheered when you made the first step on the moon. I read that you expect tourists to go to the moon. When they go, I’ll be one of the first.
Congratulations on your appointment on July 1, 1970 as Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics with NASA. I hope you saw the CBS News Special on July 21, 1970. It was a review of Apollo 11’s triumphant mission. I hope there will be more specials such as this one.
Your first name: Neil, means a champion. Alden means friend. Your birth sign is Leo. You are very courageous according to your sign. You are a champion to me. I also like to think of myself as your friend. Even though I’ve never met you in person or spoken to you, I’ve watched you on television and read about you so much, that this is the only way I could possibly feel about you.
I realize how busy you are, but if you could find a picture of yourself that I could frame and send it to me, I would treasure it.
I can only thank you for being as you are: One of the bravest men of all time, and yet one of the sweetest, most considerate men alive. Please don’t ever change.
Love always,
Kathie Love
Troutville, Virginia
“HER PARENTS WILL NOT LET HER
NEAR ANY TYPE OF AIRPLANE”
September 30, 1970
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
I would like to ask your assistance on a very important matter.
Two weeks ago, on my 16th birthday, I got my private pilots liscence for glider’s. I have been waiting to years for my liscence so I could take my girlfriend for a glider ride.
However, a complication has arisen. Her parents will not let her near any type of airplane. I have told them about the great strength and safety of sailplanes but they are not convinced.
I think that if someone as widely respected and trusted for good judgement as you are would write to them and explain, briefly, the virtues and safety of soaring, that it would do much to change their attitude.
If you agree to write to them I will send you a stamped envelope with their name and address on it.
Any help you could give me would be very greatly appreciated.
Yours hopefully,
Jim Shafer
Chalfont, Pennsylvania
“I HAVE BECOME QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT HIM”
October 23, 1970
NASA
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:
Several weeks ago, after reading that Mr. Neil Armstrong had been made head of NASA, I dropped a postal card to him. I asked him to inform me just how much the ordinary citizen in this country will benefit from the space program to date and to justify the enormous cost. I also inquired about future plans and the justification for any further space flights.
I am a school teacher and since I have not heard from Mr. Armstrong after all this time I have become quite concerned about him. I can’t help wondering if the reason that I haven’t had any response from him is because he is not able to read or write. Perhaps there is some kind and literate secretary around who can read my letter to Mr. Armstrong and then send his reply to me. I really would like to have answers to my questions.
Sincerely yours,
Helen B. Lippincott
(Mrs. Howard Lippincott)
Riverside, California
November 14, 1970
Mrs. Howard Lippincott
Riverside, California
Dear Mrs. Lippincott:
Thank you for your letter of October 23 and your postal card of several weeks prior. NASA has attempted to demonstrate to the citizens of this country the benefits and potential benefits of the space program to date. Our budget and Congressional hearings document our accomplishments to date and the potential benefits that we envision from space flight.
In addition to these accomplishments, NASA is also responsible for conducting a research and advanced technology program to support air transportation. Mr. Armstrong, who is the Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics, is taking the lead in providing the Nation with an aeronautics research and technology program that does benefit the ordinary citizen. Many of the benefits of this program have also been documented in Congressional presentations which are available from the U.S. Government Printing Office.
Additional inquiries relative to NASA’s contributions may be directed to the NASA Public Affairs Office.
Thank you for your interest in writing and I hope you will be understanding of the length of time required to answer the deluge of mail received by Mr. Armstrong.
Sincerely,
S. B. Weber
“IN THIS SIMULATED FLIGHT … I AM MISSION COMMANDER”
October 20, 1970
Dear Mr. Armstrong:
I want to thank you for answering my letter of July 21 to you. I appreciate that you took the valuable time from your busy schedule to answer my letter.
In this letter, I have two things I would like to ask you. First, could you please describe your new position a little more clearly? I am greatly interested in the ground work that Nasa does, and I would be grateful if you could provide some extra information.
This December, I am going to simulate a lunar landing mission with two of my friends, Rob Tolley and John Sheppa. In this simulated flight, Rob Tolley is Lunar Module Pilot, I am Mission Commander, and John Sheppa will be Command Module Pilot. Rob and I are going to make a landing at Copernicus Crater and make three moonwalks, while John remains in orbit.
In preparation for the flight this winter, I am going to write out an extensive flight plan, and I was wondering if you could help us by giving us a few ideas and/or suggestions to help make the simulation more real? We have chosen “Cherokee” as code-name for the Command Module and “Apache” for the Lunar Module. We are scheduled to lift off on December 24, 1970 making our landing on December 29, with the return to Earth on January 3, 1971.
I would like to send a copy of our flight plan to you as soon as it is finished, so you could look it over and then return it with more suggestions or corrections. With this letter, I am also enclosing a copy of our crew’s flight patch.
I remain,
Yours, respectfully,
David Shaw
London, Ohio
Enclosed with the letter was a drawing of the flight patch with the words “APOLLO XVII—SHAW—SHEPPA—TOLLEY” and “Cherokee” and “Apache.”
“MY AMBITION IS TO BE AN ASTRONAUT,
THE FIRST GIRL ON THE MOON”
December 26, 1970
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
I would like to thank you for the photographs and literature I recieved from NASA. I enjoyed them very much. Everyone I showed the pictures to, liked the one taken from Apollo 8, showing the moon in the foreground and the Earth in the background, best. My favorite is almost like that. The only differance is the LM coming up from the moon’s surface. I didn’t get this picture in the package.
My ambition is to be an astronaut, the first girl on the moon. I doubt if I’ll make first girl on the moon, because someone will probably beat me to it. I am 12 years old and make straight As in school. I first wanted to be an astronaut when Apollo 11 went up, and wanted to be one ever since. I’m making a scrapbook about space, it’s two volumes long, so far. By the time it’s finished it will probably have about four. There is one thing stopping me from becoming an astronaut, I wear glasses. The eye doctor said that I will have to wear them all my life, but my teacher keeps telling me I probably won’t, so it is hard to say.
You are my hero. I like all the astronauts but you’re the best. You did thing that is now my goal. You were the first person on the moon. I would have given almost anything to have gone up on Apollo 11. A lot of people feel that the lunar module is ugly. Personally I think that it is cute. I’m not saying it’s pretty, but it is cute.
I’m going to Purdue to college, and major in astro-physics, minor in geology. I’m going to get my masters at Purdue and my doctorate at MIT. My teacher, Mr. Shafer, gives me several things on space and about physics. He says that I’m always asking him questions he can’t answer, like what is an MEV. I have my brother’s physics book from college. It has a lot of information in it. My brother is planning to teach physics. I have another brother Paul living in Conn. My youngest brother, Larry, goes to Ball State. He plans to take me to the planetarium at Ball State sometime. I’m also planning to go to the observatory at Carlam College some time. I got a moon globe and a star finder for Christmas, and using my dad’s telescope to look at the moon.
You don’t have to answer this letter, but it would be appreciated if you would.
Yours truly,
Debbie Schuler
Milton, Indiana
Reply from S. B. Weber
January 6, 1971
Dear Debbie:
Thank you for your recent letter to Mr. Armstrong. He is always pleased to hear from young people with a keen interest in our space program. Unfortunately, because of his heavy schedule of activities with NASA and the tremendous volume of mail he receives, he is unable to personally respond to your letter at this time.
We are glad to hear that you received the various items mailed to you and seemed to derive so much pleasure from them. We trust that your interest in our activities will continue as our activities progress. With best wishes,
Sincerely,
S. B. Weber
“MY PARENTS HAD TO POUR COLD WATER
ON MY FACE TO KEEP ME AWAKE”
January 10, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
I am 10 years old and in the 5th grade. My parents are Missionarys here in Okinawa.
We are studying space science, and I wondered if you could send me [illegible] on space.
Last week we had a moon rock here on display at Stillwell Fieldhouse.
We were living in the States when you made the Moon Flight. My parents had to pour cold water on my face to keep me awake but I saw it! And I’ll never forget it!
Signed,
Marianne Madden
“On Okinawa”
“TOWARDS AN ECOLOGICAL AWARENESS”
February 6, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
Let me belatedly congratulate you and the NASA team for your magnificent accomplishment. It appears as a singular beacon, which hopefully will cut through the darkness of self-serving national interests and encourage mankind to unite into a global consciousness.
Today the United States leads the world’s attention towards an ecological awareness, which necessarily must reorder priorities, and restate man’s position in Nature’s grand order. Today we are riding a crest of social consciousness towards environmental degradation, and yet, as hundreds of millions of people in Earth’s fragile biosphere follow the course of Apollo 14’s return home, they are also witness to what appears to be a senseless, and degrading act of our all too typical over consumptive society of disposable goods. I refer to the lunar crash-landing of the L.E.M., spewing its debris and dubious bacteria across an otherwise virgin landscape. Hypocracy is not new to us, and yet what excuse can we offer to the people who have paid for the mission, and especially to those whom we inadvertently impress? Would it not be more consistent with President Nixon’s expressed concern for the environment to direct the L.E.M. into the Sun, where we could rest assured the material would be recycled? Then again it seems a terrible waste not to salvage the L.E.M., though I can understand how this might not be economic. Would it not be economic to at least rescue the first stage rocket for reuse?
Of course I would appreciate your comments on the subject and your endeavor to rectify the situation. And if you like, I’ll send copies of our letters to the major newspaper in Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania newspaper.
Sincerely yours,
R. Tek Nickerson
Grad. Student of Ecological Regional Planning
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Personal reply from Neil
April 13, 1971
Dear Mr. Nickerson:
Thank you for your letter of February 6, and please accept my apologies for the delay in responding.
NASA has taken all reasonable precautions to avoid disrupting the natural environment of the moon. Proposed experiments on the lunar surface are reviewed by scientific specialists and advice is solicited from the best scientific personnel available.
For example, the experiments involving impact on the moon by the spent Apollo IX Ascent Stage, to which you refer, was endorsed by the Space Science Board of the National Academy of Sciences. The purpose is to produce seismic events of known location and intensity which can be detected by seismometers deployed during the same and earlier Apollo missions. The resulting seismic waves probe some tens of kilometers beneath the layering in the vicinity of the seismometer. It is noted that the energy of these impacts is infinitesimal when compared with impacts of extremely large bodies that have struck the moon already. The energy of Apollo components is so low that we cannot observe the small craters formed by them. Compare this with large impact craters like Tycho and others many miles in size on the moon.
You may recall that we did send the LM of Apollo 10 toward the sun when we had finished with it. At that time we did not have any seismometers on the surface so impacting the moon would have had no value.
Your suggestion that the Lunar Module and first stage booster be reused has been considered. In a continuing effort to cut costs and economize where possible, NASA has always considered the reusability of expensive hardware as a desirable objective. Early in the Apollo Program various modes of operation were considered and evaluated. While reusability of major hardware components was considered, this would have further complicated an already tremendously complex system and thereby reduced our chances of success. Therefore, our first generation of spacecraft and boosters are designed primarily for reliability, not for reuse. Additionally, we have examined the cost of modifying existing first generation space hardware for reuse and find that the cost of modifications would far exceed the potential cost savings.
The reusability of space hardware is being given very serious attention in the planning of our future program. The Space Shuttle is expected to reduce by about a factor of ten the cost of launching objects into earth orbit. Thus, with this possible launch vehicle, the cost of boosting payloads should drop from an average figure of $1000.00 per pound to about $100.00 per pound.
Hardware costs must be reduced if we are to proceed in space at a meaningful pace and NASA is looking carefully at all possible means of achieving this objective.
Neil A. Armstrong
Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics
Office of Advanced Research and Technology
NASA Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
“HURRY DOWN SOON”
February 10, 1971
DEAR MR. ARMSTRONG,
I was watching The Courtship of Eddie’s Father tonight and it was about when Eddie had Gordon Cooper over for lunch. I want to know if you can come down to Paducah and have supper with me. If you can come to [gives his home address].
Now I will tell you how to get to my house, catch a cab and tell him that you want to come to [gives street address]. YOU will have to tell him to turn at albrittons drug store go down West Jefferson then turn left and go down Pines Road. Then tell him that he is supposed to turn left and it is the last house on the left.
HURRY DOWN SOON.
SINCERELY,
Bobby Martin
c/o Paul Martin
Paducah, Kentucky
“COME TO MY HOUSE TO HAVE DINNER WITH ME”
February 16, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
Hello! How are you? I would like you to come to my house to have dinner with me, Please? I am 8 years old. I live at: [gives address and telephone number].
Love,
Pamela Grapatin
Geneva, Ohio
P.S. My house is yellow and it is by a yellow sign like this: [drawing of a diamond shape with “School Crossing” written inside]. My House is on rt. 84 near the long hill or space on the other side of the road.
“I LIKED WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE MOON”
February 22, 1971
Dear Neal Armstrong,
My name is Thomas Michell. I live at [gives address]. I would like to know if you would have time to have lunch with me along with no camers so that you are not on T.V. I liked when you put your foot on the moon. I am sorry that this is not on good paper.
Your Friend,
Thomas Michell
Staten Island, New York
“I TOLD HER THAT SHE WAS WRONG”
March 3, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong
I’m writing to you because I have a problem. My Science teacher Mrs. Billings was showing us a old movie on space exploration. After the movie was over, we were talking about the first trip to the moon. She told us that she did not belive that you ever set foot on the moon, and that the whole thing was faked. I told her that she was wrong because they wouldent spend so much money on something that was fake. She said that I or anyone else would have to give her some proof before she would believe me. So I’m writing you to ask you to send me a letter or something that I can show her so she will believe that you did land on the moon.
Signed
J.C. Bussard
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Reply from S. B. Weber
March 8, 1971
Dear J. C.:
Thank you for your letter to Mr. Neil Armstrong. He is always pleased to hear from young space enthusiasts. Unfortunately, because of his heavy schedule of activities with NASA, he is unable to personally reply to each of the many letters he receives.
We wish that we could assist you in convincing your teacher that our astronauts really did walk on the lunar surface. However, if she does not believe after having witnessed it through the live telecast, a letter from Mr. Armstrong certainly would not validate the action.
We do appreciate your interest and hope that it will continue as our activities progress.
Sincerely,
S. B. Weber
“YOUR INTERPRETATION OF LIFE WOULD
BE MOST INTERESTING”
March 3, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong:
I am conducting an English class project in which I am to ask various people of various professions to explain “what the word life means to them.” Since you were the first man to step foot on the moon, I feel that your interpretation of life would be most interesting. I know that your schedule is extremely full, but your reply to my letter by at least April 18 would be most appreciated.
Thank you,
Cheryl D. Pillson
Age 17
New Castle, Indiana
Note to Neil from Geneva Barnes
April 27, 1971
Mr. Armstrong:
In a case like attached, do you wish to send an autographed photo, or not?
The girl is 17, doing an English class project on what the world life means to various people.
I wrote her the “cannot honor your request because of the demands on his time” letter (attached).
Gennie
At the bottom of Geneva Barnes’s note to Neil is Neil’s reply to her in his printed handwriting: “No—I guess not. Thx.”
Reply from Geneva Barnes
May 5, 1971
Dear Miss Pillson:
Mr. Armstrong asked me to thank you for your letter. He also sends his apology for the late response but your letter did not reach this office from Houston until last week.
He is always pleased to hear from young people and would like to be able to respond personally to all and be able to take the time to answer all of the questions he receives. His definition of the word life deserves considerable thought to be responded to properly and, regretfully, Mr. Armstrong is unable to honor your request for an answer because of the demands on his time.
Thank you for writing.
(Mrs.) Geneva Barnes
Secretary to Mr. Armstrong
“AND MAY I HAVE THE FIRST AID KIT”
March 19, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong
I saw your trip to the moon in 1969. I knew it would be a success. I’d like to know if I could have your autograph and photograph. I’d like to have it for my colection of astronauts. So can I have your autograph and photograph.
Thank You
Eric Moss
Westbury N.Y.
And may I have the first aid kit you used on your trip.
“YOU CAN SPEAK TO AMERICA, AND IT WILL LISTEN”
March 30, 1971
Dear Col. Armstrong
In the past few years it seems that whenever money is needed for a government project, the first to receive budget cuts is the Space Program. While the Dept. of Defense spends billions, the Space Program’s millions dwindle. Our Space Program has taught us more in ten years than any other program has in a hundred, but the Space Program is slowly dying. There is not much I, as a private citizen can do about this crisis, but you, and the other highly respected men of the Space Program can do something. You can speak to America, and it will listen. We must save this vital program, because if we stifle our scientific growth and curiosity of the unknown, progress will die, and we will die.
Sincerely yours,
Scott Siebels
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Reply from Geneva Barnes, Neil’s secretary
August 4, 1971
Dear Mr. Siebels:
Mr. Armstrong has asked me to thank you for your recent letter expressing concern about the budget cuts in the space program, and urging him to speak to the public more often about this vital program.
Mr. Armstrong continues to make speeches stressing the importance of the nation’s space program and the following are excerpts from three of those speeches:
In his remarks at the United States Military Academy on May 4, when he accepted the Sylvanus Thayer Award, Mr. Armstrong stated:
“… those faltering steps of this first decade of space flight were a spectacle that has been unparalleled in history. Our knowledge of the planet has increased a hundredfold; our understanding of the moon—a thousandfold and more. However, each new discovery has uncovered a new question. Progress, then it seems, is answering the questions of those who have gone before and providing new questions for those who follow.
“The first decade of space flight was a time of exploration. The next decade will likely be a time of application. Emphasis will be placed on how to reap the benefits from our new-found knowledge. This is consistent with the general contemporary tendency in our nation to turn inward and concentrate on human needs and creature comforts. Our space investments are being called on to emphasize the applications of this new technology to serve our people. And this is very appropriate. I do hope, however, that we will continue to explore our universe.”
From his Commencement Address at Ohio State University on June 11, 1971:
“… Today, the United States cannot afford to neglect, as it did the airplane in the early days of aeronautics, a technology so powerful in its potential as manned space flight. Any technology that can take man to the moon and back less than ten years after the first pioneering orbit of earth is not a toy to be lightly cast aside when our attention is distracted by other matters. Manned space flight, the art of mastering the prime forces of the universe, in an arena vast beyond imagination, ought to be judged for what it is: an enormously powerful and versatile new capability of immense consequence to all mankind—too great for us to ignore or downgrade its significance for the future. A nation’s, as well as an individual’s, true wealth is measured by the capabilities, not the material possessions it may accumulate. Spacefaring, just as seafaring and aeronautics did earlier in history, is moving forward on the stage of human affairs, adding a new dimension to our economic, cultural and spiritual potential.”
From his University of Maryland (Heidelberg, Germany) Commencement Address:
“… Of course, critics have complained that we are doing too much in space, with so many unsolved problems here on earth. But the positive approach is not to do less in space, but to do more on earth—and do it better. We must continue our exploration and search for understanding of the universe around us while at the same time applying the lessons we have learned from our space achievements to other world needs. They certainly increase rather than decrease our hope, our ability, and our resolve to face and overcome new and chronic problems here on the surface of the earth.”
We hope your interest and enthusiastic support will continue.
Sincerely,
(Mrs.) Geneva Barnes
Secretary to Mr. Armstrong
“DID YOU MEET ANY LITTLE GREEN MEN?”
July 1, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
Would you please send me some information about NASA? Could I also have an autographed picture of you?
Did you meet any little green men?
Pam & David Nickerson
Ocean City, New Jersey
Reply from Geneva Barnes
August 18, 1971
Dear Pam and David:
Mr. Armstrong asked me to thank you for your letter. He is always pleased to hear from young people and to learn of their interest in the space program. He would like very much to reply personally to all, but I’m sure you understand that this is not possible because of the demands on his time.
We are enclosing an autographed picture of Mr. Armstrong and some information which we hope you will enjoy.
Sincerely,
(Mrs.) Geneva Barnes
Secretary to Mr. Armstrong
P.S. Mr. Armstrong and Colonel Aldrin did not meet any little green men.
“HOPE TO SOMEDAY JOIN THE RANKS
OF OUR SPACE PIONEERS”
July 3, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
I have long followed the Space Programs of the United States and the Soviet Union and hope to someday join the ranks of our space pioneers in the new adventure. After Apollo 13 and now Soyuz 11 the world begins to wonder about manned exploration of the new frontier, and bring up the inevitable question, “Is this trip necessary?” I have written many articles that have appeared in many newspapers concerning this very question and have even written a few short stories which I hope to have published. Yes, Apollo 13, Soyuz 11 like all missions, is necessary. Each mission increases man’s knowledge of the Earth and the universe, and understanding these environments will help us to understand the future course not only of the Earth, but of its people. The brave Astronauts of Apollo 13 like all American Astronauts knew the risks of their profession and are also well aware of the unlimited potential of space exploration. I have high hopes of entering the Air Force Academy next year and begin my efforts of applying for the Astronaut Corps.
I followed your Gemini 8 and Apollo 11 flights with keen interest and I was extremely proud to watch you and Mr. Aldrin roaming the lunar surface. With your step on the lunar surface began a new leap forward for the human civilization, man is embarking upon an era of space expeditions.
Enclosed is one of my favorite picture of you taken I believe in the LM just prior to lift-off and I was hoping you would autograph it with your first words on the lunar surface: “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind,” I would really appreciate it very much. Also enclosed is a copy of HOE (Help Our Earth) a school publication of which I was one of the editors.
Thank you
Sincerely,
Michael David Rose
Walnut Creek, California
Reply from Geneva Barnes
July 6, 1971
Dear Mr. Rose:
Mr. Armstrong has asked me to thank you for your letter and for your school publication. He is always pleased to hear from those who are interested in the space program and would like to reply personally to all. However, I’m sure you understand that this is not possible because of the demands on his time.
He was happy to sign your picture but did not inscribe his famous quote. Mr. Armstrong never quotes himself.
Sincerely,
(Mrs.) Geneva Barnes
Secretary to Mr. Armstrong
“I NAMED HIM BRIAN (NEIL) SMITH”
July 12, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong
My son will be two this month. He was born in Cape Canaveral Hospital when you landed on the moon. I named him Brian (Neil) Smith, after you.
I thought it might be something he would cherish getting a card from you. I myself would consider it a great honor, as I work at the Cape.
Thank You
Jem Smith
Rockledge, Florida
“MOON DAY U.S.A.”
July 12, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
I have intended writing this letter for sometime but never seemed to get at it. I shall be short and to the point so as not to take up your valuable time.
In the summer of 1969 I wrote you and also sent you a recording of my song Moon Day U.S.A. I asked you in the letter if you would kindly listen to it and let me know what you thought of it. This I would appreciate very much. I know you were on tour at that time and I did receive acknowledgement of the lyrics (which I had sent to NASA and the record addressed to you) but nothing was mentioned about the record. I am wondering if you ever received it as I cannot think you would ignore my request for your evaulation of it thus I am prompted to write this letter. Let me say here I was amazed and shocked that the Columbia Recording Company did not find enough commercial value in it to warrent their recording it. I only sent it to two record companies and the other company wrote a long letter complimenting me on it and requesting information as to the recording artist. As far as I know it is the only song recorded of the moon-landing. To me a record that was recording the greatest achievement in our history to be found worthless is incomprehensable to me. Also, I wish to state that I sent out two demonstration record and they came to nought—one was lost and the other was never acknowledged. The one not acknowledged was sent to the people of your home town as a gift and believe it or not I heard nothing—was sent in care of the newspaper of your home town. I retract, I did send one other record to another party because I felt it would go nice with the gift he had at that time received—a very well known personality and again I got acknowledgment of the lyrics but nothing was said about the record. I feel the party never got it as I had written him also explaining why I wanted him to have it. Well, that is the story about the song Moon Day U.S.A. Great numbers here in this university town for whom I played it thought it was great and one even wanted me to take it to Johnny Cash who was preforming here at that time—the recording artist sounded something like him.
Thank you Mr. Armstrong, for listening to me and I do hope you will favor me with a reply.
Did not know so near end of page so please excuse.
Sincerely yours,
Ann Houchin
Urbana, Illinois
May 1, 1972
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
I have written you several letters and up to date I have never received a reply. I shall try again. I wrote you at Washington D.C. and had a reply from the Public Affairs office saying they had forwarded my letter to you. All I wish to know, Mr. Armstrong, is whether you ever received the record of “Moon Day U.S.A.” I sent you just after the moon landing. I asked you to let me know how you liked it. I can’t think that you would just ignore me and I am trusting you will favor me with a reply this time. The only answer I ever got was a reply from NASA saying they had received the poem—poem not the record. I sent another record to another prominent person and it was lost in the mail. Many Professors here heard it and loved it but the young folks do not approve of spending so much money from the space program and as it is the young that buy the records I had no success with a record company. However, I did not try very maney.
Trusting that I shall hear from you soon, I remain
Sincerely,
Ann Houchin
Urbana, Illinois
Reply from Fern Lee Pickens, Neil’s assistant
July 27, 1972
Dear Miss Houchin:
Thank you for your most recent letter to Mr. Armstrong. He is unable to reply personally to the many letters he receives and he has asked me to thank you for the lyrics, which you say were acknowledged by NASA; but, I am sorry to tell you that the record of which you speak has never been received by Mr. Armstrong.
An extensive search has been made of NASA files for your previous correspondence to Mr. Armstrong, and for the record, unfortunately, we have been unable to locate any information. I am aware, however, that when Mr. Armstrong moved from Houston to Washington, D.C., some of his files and papers were misplaced. I can only conjecture that your previous correspondence must be in the missing files. What could have happened to the record is also conjecture since you say that NASA never did acknowledge receiving it—only the lyrics. I am sure you can appreciate that NASA and Mr. Armstrong were swamped with mail and gifts of all kinds from all over the world after the lunar landing. Although Mr. Armstrong could not and would not have commented on the relative merits of a particular composition, had he received the record, he, or a NASA staff member, would have surely acknowledged receiving it. We can only hope that someday, somehow, the Moon Day USA record will turn up, along with the missing files and papers.
We regret very much any inconvenience or discomfiture you have been caused by this unhappy circumstance. We appreciate your interest in the space program and hope your enthusiasm will continue as our nation’s space efforts progress.
With kindest regards,
Sincerely,
(Mrs.) Fern Lee Pickens
Assistant to Mr. Armstrong
“HOW MUCH DOES IT COST FOR A
LITTLE PIECE OF MOONDUST?”
July 26, 1971
Dear Astronaut Armstrong:
Could you please send me some pictures of the moon and outer space? I hope they are in color. I love color! The prints the newspaper turned out weren’t the greatest things in the world. They didn’t do justice. By the time you get this letter, more astronauts will be out in space again.
I sure hope I will go to the moon some day; I always wanted to go. I was so convinced those craters were made of cheese when I was younger, I wanted a telescope. So my parents bought me a pair of binoculars for Christmas. That was just two years after John Glenn made the rounds. By the way, wasn’t he dizzy? Getting back to the binoculars, I couldn’t wait until it would get dark Christmas night so I could get a good look at the moon. Don’t worry, I was busy all day long looking through those binoculars … from everything in the sky to my neighbor’s new curtains. I used them to look into peoples’ living rooms to see what kind of trees they had. The people across the street had a very little one so I had to go upstairs to get a good look at it.
I was wondering what it is like going to the moon. How long will it be before people can go there? I think it’s a fantastic thing that you went! Here, I’ve never even been up in an airplane! I wish I could buy a piece of the moon. How much does it cost for a little piece of moon dust you brought back?
I kept watching TV all day and night until you finally got out and walked around. I really couldn’t believe it. It looked like you were having fun.
When will they have girl astronauts? I have a friend named Diane who would like to go. She’d go anywhere just for the ride. She wanted to go to the moon a long time ago.
I have an uncle who works in the Huntsville Redfield Arsenal as a supervisor. That helped me to get interested in space. Could I please have your autograph? Thank you very much for taking the time to read this.
Sincerely,
Sharon Miletiz
Ottawa, Illinois
Reply from Geneva Barnes
August 5, 1971
Dear Miss Miletiz:
Mr. Armstrong has asked me to thank you for your letter. He is always pleased to hear from those who are interested in the space program and would like very much to reply personally to all. However, I’m sure you understand that this is not possible because of the demands on his time.
In answer to your questions regarding the cost of a lunar rock; these samples are the property of the U.S. Government and are not sold. Understandably, the lunar samples are in short supply and all are used for scientific studies or placed in special exhibitions in museums and planetariums for public viewing.
The fact that we do not presently have a program for female astronauts does not mean that sometime in the future women will not have an active part in manned space flights.
We are enclosing an autographed picture of Mr. Armstrong and some information which we hope you and your friend Diane will enjoy.
Sincerely,
(Mrs.) Geneva Barnes
Secretary to Mr. Armstrong
“PLEASE TAKE ME VERY SERIOUSLY MR. ARMSTRONG”
July 30, 1971
VERY PERSONAL TO:
MR. NEIL A. ARMSTRONG
Former NASA Astronaut
Dear Mr. Armstrong:
I certainly hope that this letter of mine can personally reach the office of the Apollo 11 spacecraft commander MR. NEIL A. ARMSTRONG, who now of course is the Deputy Associate Administrator of aeronautics for NASA here in Washington, D.C. I would be most pleased and extremely grateful if Mr. Armstrong could personally read this letter of mine, but I do indeed hate to bother you sir because of your busy work for NASA Headquarters.
But to get down to my point in writing you this letter sir, please find enclosed with this letter of mine a photograph of the Apollo 11 LM ascent stage being shown as it returns to join the CM. If possible, could you personally autograph this picture for me because it would mean a great deal to me if I could obtain the signature of the first man to set foot on the surface of the moon. Please address it to my name and I would indeed be very honored and most pleased if you could personally do this for me. This is the best photograph that I have available on the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission for you to sign Mr. Armstrong because many of the Apollo 11 pictures are either to dark, or only show astronaut Edward Aldrin on the moon instead of you since you were taking the photographs. But I would certainly be honored if you could personally autograph this photograph for me since you were a marvelous NASA Astronaut assigned as the GT-8 command pilot and especially the Apollo 11 spacecraft commander.
Please take me very seriously Mr. Armstrong and I sincerely wish you all the luck and success to your NASA career with NASA Headquarters assigned as the Deputy Associate Administrator. Thank you so very much sir for your valuable time and most thoughtful consideration to the public; below is my address.
Very sincerely,
Kenneth L. Havekotte
Merritt Island, Florida
Attached to this letter is a note from one of Neil’s secretaries that lists all the different requests that Mr. Havecotte had made in writing, all nine of them, dating back just one year to September 30, 1970. Each time Neil’s assistants had provided autographs and/or signed photographs. At the bottom of the attached note, in Armstrong’s printed handwriting are the underlined words “NO MORE AUTOGRAPHS.”
“SO PLEASE SEND SOME GOOD SOUVENIRS”
August 5, 1971
Mr. Neil Armstrong,
I am a student who got interested in space when I had to do a long term science report. I did mine on Apollo 11. Since then I have writen to all of the space instulations I can find. All I ever got was a few little things. I have been trying to get a lot of date, pictures, models & things like that. But recently my arm was broken and I couldn’t get money to order from the superintendant of documents, which most all the places refer you to. So since you are an astronaut, who I watched the whole space flight of yours and the rest. So since you can get models and good souvineres easily, I was writing to ask you if you could send me some souvineres. I almost forgot, could you write me a little letter. It would mean so much to me. So please send some good souvineres.
An Interested American,
William Burton
Baltimore, Maryland
“I’M A KID WHO LOVES WATCHING MEN
GO TO THE MOON AND BACK”
August 17, 1971
MR. ARMSTRONG,
I would like to ask Some Questions
1. Do you Feel Anything now about Being the First Man on the Moon?
2. ARE you going to make any MORE Space Flights in APOLLO OR SKYLAB?
MR. ARMSTRONG, I think that you are one of the Greatest Man in History. I’m a kid who Loves watching Men go to the moon and Back. I Even Collected a scrap book of all the Missions Beginning with the tragic Apollo 3. I Hope that you go on and do your thing. I Hope Some Day That I Get to meet you. I wanted to go to Wapekeneta But My Dad says no. Neil, Good Luck
Sincerely,
Greg Hartman
Cincinnati, Ohio
“MY SON WAS KILLED IN VIETNAM”
August 30, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
I have been a very ardent follower of your space flight and have purchased every periodical, book and magazine of your landing on the moon. (In fact I stayed up 38 hrs at one time tape recording all news of your flight.) The one thing I would really like is your autograph. My only son was killed in VietNam in Oct 1968 and my interest in your flight was the one thing that kept me from really breaking up. I have arthritis so please excuse writing—please reply
Thank you
Jerry Hammond
Glens Falls, New York
“EVERYONE SAYS YOU CAN’T COME”
September 3, 1971
Dear Sir:
I would like to see if you could come Dinner some time in November. Please everyone sas you can’t come. Please do. Write if you would please if you are not you are coming please.
Glenn Smith
Cincinnati, Ohio
“JUST AS YOU MADE A PEACH OF A LANDING”
September 17, 1971
Mr. Armstrong
Dear Sir,
Now getting to the point. So you did on the moon. You see I have been making canes. That I get from the woods. And gave many of them away. With no strings attached. And these folks that I gave them to. Seem to make good use of them. Now I have one that I would like you to have. One that you never have to use. Only as a token and event. Because I was just finishing this cane. When you stepped on the moon. And the top of it is something like a ball. And my wife said that scott of an Armstrong. Just touched the moon.
And I said to her. Yes and I just made my last touch with my brush on said cane. Which is made of Peach-wood. Just as you made a peach of a landing. July 20th 1969. So I would like you to have this walking stick very much. And if you ever make another trip to the moon. Take it with you. You see my grandfather came from Scottland. Alex McEwen. So you see Neil—I have a wee bit of Scott in me. Now tell me where to send it And will do.
Respectfully yours,
Clifford E. McEwen
“Canes is My Hobby”
Union City, New Jersey
“I HAVE A PROBLEM I THINK YOU CAN HELP ME OUT WITH”
(A SERIES OF LETTERS FROM A PERSISTENT
MAN IN PENNSYLVANIA)
October 4, 1971
Dear Neil:
I have a problem I think you can help me out with. I have been getting covers autographed by most of the astronauts (Apollo Series) in the hopes of teaching the boy the ways of having a hobby. My problem is this. He says all the covers are autopenned, and signed by a machine as you guys are too busy to sign anything. If this is true I feel like an idiot writing to a machine for an autograph. If at all possible would you autograph the envelope and return it to me as I only have the one cover. I’m going to write to Collins later when I get the cover back. Lastly, congratulations on your new job as professor of engineering at the Univ. of Cincinnati. I wish you all the luck in the world and God Bless You.
Thank You
Charles W. Lentine
Brookhaven, Pennsylvania
P.S. Could you please write on the cover To Charles Jr. then maybe he’ll believe its a real signature?
Dear Sir:
I know you are a very busy person and probably have very little time for your own personal business as it is without people writing to you and bothering you. But I feel I can justify writing this letter to you. Years back I started collecting covers on space events as they happened, and then along came my first son after being married for some 10 years. I promised to myself that I would build him one of the finest space collections that could be built and to give it to him when I felt he was ready to appreciate it. The boy is getting bigger every day and I feel I am so far away from completing the covers for him. I had written to many of the other astronauts and most of them were kind enough to autograph the covers for the little guy. You would be doing us a very big favor if you would personally autograph this cover in pen and ink and return it to the boy in the enclosed envelope.
As the boy gets older he also gets smarter and he questions a lot of things, and in particular some of the signatures we have acquired. He says they just don’t look real to him. He says you have a machine that writes autographs by the thousands. I have faith in human nature and don’t believe this. I’d feel like an idiot writing to a machine for its autograph. This is not my way of thinking. I think you guys are the greatest for helping me out, and also for giving the children of today something to shoot for in tomorrows world as far as courage, strength and bravery are concerned.
Maybe someday in the future as the boy looks at these covers with his children, he’ll drink a beer to me for providing him with this cover collection, and to the space-men for providing the world with the thrills of the space flights, and for keeping our country number one in the world. Lastly, congratulations on your major role in the Space Program and to your courage for being there. May God bless you and watch over you always.
Thank You,
Gratefully,
Brookhaven, Pennsylavania
P.S. Could you sign the cover to read TO CHARLES JR. thus personalizing it a bit for the little guy.
February 17, 1972
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
I am not a commercial institution as your secretary referred me as. I am just a small stamp collector trying to do something nice for his little boy. Its a shame you left NASA at least there you had to be nice to the public (those taxpayers) that sent you up to the moon. Now that you are a private individual again you are entitled to a certain amount of privacy. I respect your privacy and probably am the last guy in the world to bother another. I find letter writing very distasteful and don’t have hardly any time for letter writing as such I am not accustomed to [illegible]ing anyone for their signature. And when the child grows up I will be certain he does not go to the University of Cincinnati where It seems certain individuals get stuck on themselves. I am glad at least some fellows like Shepard, Roosa, McDivitt, Glenn, etc have signed the covers for the boy. Hats off to them. Remember if you want the limelight expect people to bother you.
Sorry to take some much of your time.
Charles W. Lentine
Brookhaven, Pennsylvania
March 7, 1972
Dear Mr. Lentine:
This is in reply to your most recent letter regarding your request for Mr. Armstrong’s autograph on your first day cover. I regret that my February 9 note evoked such a strong letter of criticism of Mr. Armstrong, who has never refused to respond affirmatively to a request for his signature. My records indicate that he signed a cover for you and it was mailed on October 4, 1971.
It would be most unfortunate to disillusion your small son by implying that Mr. Armstrong refuses to acknowledge requests for his autograph and feels that he no longer needs to be considerate of the taxpayers who made possible his trip to the moon. This simply is not true. He continues to honor all requests, which are numerous, for autographs and other information which are directed to him. However, unfortunately for the sincere collector such as yourself, the widespread commercial use of Mr. Armstrong’s signature caused him to discontinue signing philatelic items. This policy was put into effect soon after we mailed your first day cover (signed) in October.
We hope Charles, Jr., enjoys the enclosed photograph which Mr. Armstrong has signed for him.
Sincerely,
(Mrs.) Geneva Barnes
Secretary to Mr. Armstrong
August 3, 1974
Dear Prof. Armstrong:
I hope you get this letter in time for our wish of a happy birthday on your birthday of August 5. I know the folks at Wapakoneta, Ohio, must surely be pleased to have you as one of their favorite sons. The way the mails are today I don’t know if you’ll get this little note on time, but in any case, both me and my young son wish you the happiest of birthdays. I quit counting mine after forty, seems they come to fast. I have a request to ask of you, and I hope it is not too much of a bother. We have been collecting the Smithsonian Institution Set of MILESTONES OF SPACE Covers honoring such great men as: Yeager, Collins, Manke, Van Allen, Wade, MaCready, Rosendahl, Crossfield, Hergett, Hagen, Rickenbacker, Rickover, Lear, Douglas, Loening, Eaker, Gaffaney Hilliard, Von Braun, Webb, Fletcher, Paine, Low, Schirra, etc. and many of the others of Aviation History. This cover released in a series is the 17th and honors your lunar flight aboard the Apollo XI spaceship. If at all possible could you spare us a second to personally autograph this cover and return it in the enclosed return envelope. If you feel this is not possible, just return the cover, and we will ask no more of you. Please one request we make is that no AUTOPEN BE USED, as we have all the other covers in our collection signed personally by these other great men, we would not desire to have people look down on our whole collection, and dishonor thes other men. Thank you kindly.
Gratefully yours,
Charles W. Lentine
Brookhaven, Pennsylvania
PS: Don’t eat to much birthday cake, you’ll never be able to get off the ground again if you do.
October 25, 1974
To Luanna J. Fisher
Secretary to Prof. Neil A. Armstrong
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
I hope your University of Cincinnati football team loses all its remaining games for your shabby treatment of my small son. Professor Armstrong is a famous man alrite, but who needs his AUTOPENNED signature. The boy has written to great men such as J. Edgar Hoover, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, Michael De Bakey, Christian Barnard, Edmund Hillary, Michael Collins, (one of his mates who at least can sit down and answer an honest letter), Gerald Ford, even Spiro Agnew was honest enough to write his own name. Why ruin a boy’s cover or Mr. Armstrongs photos with an absurd looking faked autograph. Are people today supposed to be that stupid that they don’t even get the courtesy of an honest “no” answer such as men as Charles Lindbergh, Andrew Wyeth, Warren Burger, do. I for me think the Autopen should never be used to fool little guys into thinking that someone was kind to them. Isn’t it time we all started back towards honesty—that’s whats wrong with our country—nobody has the time or [illegible] to take a second out for the next guy. So be it.
I don’t intend to change the world, but here is a guy like Harry Truman who told the truth, no matter what. Please relay this message to your boss, if his head is at least little enough to let his ears let sound in. We apologize to you though Miss Fisher, we realize you are merely a tool & probably have to work for a living just like most of the normal people who pay their taxes for someone to make famous names at their expense. Thank you for lending an ear. God Bless you.
Sincerely,
Charles W. Lentine
Brookhaven, Pennsylvania
P.S. The boy would not dare to show the phoney picture in school—The other kids would laugh at him.
Reply from Luanna J. Fisher, Neil’s secretary
October 29, 1974
Dear Mr. Lentine:
How astonished I was to receive your erroneous letter. You are quite mistaken about the autopen. Professor Armstrong takes the time to PERSONALLY autograph each picture request he receives. As explained in the letter sent to you, it is against Professor Armstrong’s policy to sign first day covers. That is the reason for the autographed picture as a substitute, and the autograph is GENUINE. If it were not, it would not have been necessary for your son to have waited from August 3, 1974 until October 25, 1974 to receive his signature, as Professor Armstrong was gone for the entire summer and could not personally autograph the picture until this month.
You are right about the need for more honesty—but let me honestly assure you that it is the policy of this office to be honest, sincere and genuine. And I don’t consider myself “merely a tool.” If I did, I assure you, I would seek employment elsewhere.
Your son need not feel ashamed or embarrassed to display his picture to his classmates or his friends, and he may feel proud in telling them that this is Professor Armstrong’s real autograph.
As there was obviously a misunderstanding, I see no need in relaying your message to Professor Armstrong.
Thank you for the opportunity to clear-up your misconception of Professor Armstrong.
Sincerely,
(Miss) Luanna J. Fisher
Secretary to Professor Neil A. Armstrong
“I’M INVITING YOU TO COME HAVE LUNCH WITH US”
October 5, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong
Next week is National Hot Lunch Week and I’m inviting you to come and have lunch with us (if you can make it). It would be quite an honor to have you at our school, and besides you’re my favorat astronaut. how was it on the moon? It must of been alot of fun. If I had a photogragh of you, I would feel like a million dollars. I’ve been looking forward to growing up so that I could be an astronaut. I was glued to the TV until the spashdown was over. I even recorded the time and date so I wouldn’t forget, what do I do, I go and forget and loose the paper I wrote it on. But if you can’t make it just write me a letter and tell me what your going to do. But don’t forget try to get here if you can make it. Well I’ll be waiting if you can come. Lunch will be at 11:30 Friday October 15, 1971. I hope you can come.
Sincerely Yours
Tom Hickey
Hermiston, Oregon
“THEY ARE TAKING STAR TREK OFF THE AIR”
October 6, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
Do your children watch “Star Trek” on television? I’ll bet they like it. I’ve decided I want to be an astronaut. There are three things that got me into it. My Father, Nasa space program, and Star Trek. They are taking Star Trek off the air and I thought you could write the network a letter. I’m sure they would listen to you. Please send back a picture (if possible) of your children.
Thanks,
Bob Reese (13 yrs. OLD)
Anaheim, California
P.S. Send the letter to:
Mr. Mort Werner
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, N.Y. 10020
“HOW TALL IS THE THING BESIDE THE ROCKET”
October 11, 1971
Dear Neil Armstrong,
Thank you for the information that you sent to me. What are the things like buttons on your space suit for? Could you please send me a closer look of the rockit and Space Control Center. Could you please send me some moon rocks. What equipment did you leave on the moon. How long does it take to build a rocket. What do you eat. What do you do inside of the rocket. What is the number of the controls. How long does it take to reach the moon. How does the ground look. Is it brown or black. How tall is the thing beside the rocket. What is the name of that thing beside the rocket. How many windows are in the rocket. What are the thing in back of the rocket. What is the kind of metal is used to build the rocket. Would you please send me pictures of all of the astronauts. Could you please send me a closer look of the buildings around the rocket. How long does it take to be an astronaut from astronauts school.
Sincerely yours,
Ricky Johnson
Laramie, Wyoming
“I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A PICTURE TAKEN OF YOU AND ME”
October 12, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
I am a first year law student here at U.C. When you made your historic trip to the moon however, I was serving as a Peace Corps science teacher in the country of Western Samoa.
In the two years I served, nothing did as much to capture the interest and imagination of my students, and the people in general as the voyage of the Apollo Eleven.
If it could be arranged, I would like to have a picture taken of you and me to send to the newspaper in Samoa. I honestly believe that seeing you with someone they know would be quite a thrill for the Samoans and might serve to raise the status of Peace Corps Volunteers still there. It would certainly be a personal honor for me.
I could take the picture in a few moments with a self timer, and would keep the matter totally confidential here at U.C. The time and place for the picture would be at your convenience. I am willing to set any moment of any day aside to take the photo.
Please rest assured that I will not be offended if you reject my request. I realize that you must have many similar ones.
Yours truly,
Steve Korba
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
“YOU ARE THEIR HERO”
October 18, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong:
This letter is on behalf of the student body of Newport High School, Newport, Kentucky. As a teacher of world history and geography, I have endeavored to build student interest whenever possible. I asked my class what kind of speakers they would be most interested in and the reaction was an overwhelming, “Neil Armstrong!” I assured them that you are a very busy man and that I am no miracle worker, but I would try. Mr. Armstrong, you are their hero. You have been to the moon while a good many of these students have yet to cross the Ohio River to Cincinnati. It would be such a thrill for them if you would come to Newport High School as a guest speaker. A few of the students wrote letters which I have enclosed.
We realize you are very busy and that your schedule is jam-packed. But we would very much appreciate your visiting Newport for an hour—or a day.
Thank you very much for your time. We’ll be looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Macke
Newport Public High School
Newport, Kentucky
P.S. If you are unable to come, could you suggest a Russian “escapee”? That was my students second choice.
At the bottom of the letter is a handwritten note from Neil: “decline and ask teacher to thank students for their individual letters.” The letter that follows was either prepared for Neil’s signature or he composed it himself.
Personal reply from Neil
October 21, 1971
Dear Miss Macke:
Thank you for your kind invitation to appear as a guest speaker before the student body of your school. I am sorry that my very heavy schedule makes it impossible to accept your request. My duties here at the university and various government responsibilities limit my outside commitments severely.
I am sorry I cannot suggest a Russian “escapee” either. I do not know any.
Please thank your students for their individual letters.
Sincerely,
Professor
Aerospace Engineering
“DO YOU WATCH “I DREAM OF JEANNIE?”
November 30, 1971
Dear Mr. Armstrong:
Hi May I please have your autograph? I have autographs by Al Worden and Alan B. Sheppard I was wondering if you’d do the same for me!?
Do you watch “I dream of Jeannie? Its on here every afternoon. I love it cuz I am a real nut about that kind of stuff.
I also have 685 autographs and it goes higher and higher all the time. But sometimes it slows down
Miss Barbara Richardson
Downers Grove, Illinois
“HOW MAGNIFICENT YOU ARE!”
December 8, 1971
MY DEAR MR. ARMSTRONG,
HOW MAGNIFICENT YOU ARE! YOU ARE BOTH A GREAT ASTRONAUT AND A FINE MAN! YOU HAVE SUCH A VERY LOVELY FAMILY. YOU ARE HANDSOME BEYOND COMPARE. YOU ARE A TRUE GENIUS! SUCCESS HAS NOT SPOILED YOU FOR GENUINENESS AND GOOD QUALITIES MAKE YOU SUPERB. YOU ARE TODAY’S GREATEST HERO. I AM SURE YOU’LL BE A GREAT PROFESSOR TOO. MY DREAM-WISH IS SOMEDAY TO MEET YOU IN PERSON! JUST TO SHAKE HANDS WITH YOU WOULD BE A GREAT THRILL.
HERE IS WISHING YOU AND YOURS A SPLENDID HOLIDAY SEASON.
WOULD YOU AUTOGRAPH THE ENCLOSED PAPERS FOR ME. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, I WOULD APPRECIATE AN AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO. THESE WILL BE AMONG MY HEART-FELT TREASURES.
MAY YOUR LIFE BE HAPPY FOR FOREVER.
Very sincerely,
Sally Russell
XXOO
Alamo, Texas
“DID YOU GO ON ANY DIFFERENT
PLANET EXCEPT THE MOON?”
February 15, 1972
Dear Neil Armstrong:
I wonder what it is like to be up in space. Isn’t it scary? Did you go on any different Planet except the moon?
I think you are very famouse and important.
I wonder if there’s another unknown planet up there. I wonder if there’s air and water on it.
Isn’t it exciting being on the moon?
I’m in fifth grade 11 years old and I love science. My hobby is collecting postcards.
Truly yours,
Sandy Sacher
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
“I KNOW YOU BUT YOU DON’T KNOW ME”
March 15, 1972
TO Neil Armstrong
I know you but you don’t know me. I’m a big fan of yours. I read and write about you. I am 9 years old. Some day I hope to Be an Astronaut too. It must Be fun to go into space. You are my Favorite Astronaut. How does it feel to go into space? I put Modles together of rockets, planets, and Astronauts. Do you know I have a chemistry set and I have a toy rocket and I am trying to make rocket fuel. If your not to Busy could you send me your picture and autograph it. Some day when your off From work stop over. This is my Address.
Joseph Rosio
Brooklyn, New York
“LIKE TO KNOW WHY PEOPLE ARE SPENDING
MONEY ON GOING TO THE MOON”
March 23, 1972
Dear Sir:
I would like to know why people are spending money on going to the moon, when there are people starving. Another question I would like to know is some of the things we have learned from the moon so we would live better. I need to know this information for a classroom project
Sincerely
Brenda Courtney
Sixth Grade
Lincoln Elementary
Gahanna, Ohio
“IF YOU HAD A BICYCLE HORN ON THE MOON…”
April 23, 1972
Dear Col. Armstrong,
I have a question to ask you. If you had a bicycle horn on the moon (ha) and honked it would you be able to hear it? Why? I can’t write a longer letter because I know your busy and because I have to “hit the hay” as my dad puts it. Well that’s all. Good Night!
An interested student,
Dan Schlembach
Toledo, Ohio
Reply from Ruta Bankovskis, Neil’s secretary
April 27, 1972
Dear Dan:
Professor Armstrong has asked me to reply to your letter of April 23rd, asking whether a bicycle horn could be heard on the moon. The answer is no. The scientific explanation is that sound is a series of pressure waves (ripples) in the air. Since there is no air on the moon, there is no sound. You probably could feel the vibrations of the horn through your gloves by touching it.
We thank you for writing and hope your curiosity about the universe continues.
Sincerely,
Ruta Bankovskis
Secretary to Professor Neil A. Armstrong
May 24, 1972
Dear Professor Armstrong:
I am a free-lance writer with a great interest in aviation history and “old-time” radio adventure programs. I have a theory that many accomplished people involved in aviation today developed an early interest in aviation because as youngsters they listened to such radio adventure programs as Captain Midnight, The Air Adventures of Jimmy Allen, Sky King, Crash Carrigan, Wings of Destiny, and others.
I am in the midst of compiling an article exploring this theory. I am contacting a number of people such as yourself who have made outstanding contributions to aviation history. I believe most people would be very interested in your comments on the subject because of the position of esteem you have so richly earned.
I think people would be particularly curious to know which programs you listened to, which was your favorite, and whether your primary interest in aviation came about as a result of your early exposure to radio adventure programs.
Please comment at whatever length you feel appropriate. I will send you a copy of the article when it is published.
Thank you for your time and trouble.
Sincerely,
William R. Taylor
New Berlin, Wisconsin
June 20, 1972
Dear Mr. Taylor:
Professor Armstrong has asked me to reply to your letter of May 24th asking him to name his favorite childhood radio programs for use in an article on aviation history. We are unable to honor your request as Professor Armstrong does not wish to make public this type of information.
He asked me to thank you for your interest and to extend his best wishes for the success of your work.
Sincerely,
Ruta Bankovskis
Secretary to Professor Neil A. Armstrong
“GOODBYE FOR NOW HERO!”
June 8, 1972
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
I want to thank you and Mrs. Barnes for the wonderful pictures and booklets. I will surely show them to the 6th grade.
Someday I hope to meet you in person. And I also accept your apologies. And one thing I want you to remember because I will that you will always be very dear to me though I have not meet you. You see I am the oldest in my family and one thing I always wanted was an older brother and that is how you are treating me. I like it very much learning about space and hope you will teach it to me. Goodbye for now Hero!
With all my love,
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
P.S. I am giving you a picture of me though I am ugly.
P.S.S. Good-bye brother!
“HE HAS LEUKEMIA”
August 26, 1972
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
Several years ago, through Harriet Eisele, my son Todd received an autographed picture of you (which was a great thrill for him & is still a most treasured possession). His birthday party on July 16, 1969 was a “To the Moon” party—& ever after he has felt that day to be doubly important.
He has leukemia & during the past three years has gone through a great deal. Small boys needs heroes—& you are his.
He is not doing well at this time—& the prognosis is not good. If you have a minute from your busy day to drop him a short note—it would mean so much.
Thanks so much in advance—
Most sincerely,
Terry Westhusing
(Mrs. J.K. Westhusing)
for Todd Westhusing (10 years old)
La Porte, Texas
Attached to this letter is a note in Neil’s handwriting that reads: “Compose a nice letter to this boy. No mention of his troubles, but about his continuing interest in Space Exploration for my sig.”
Personal reply from Neil
September 20, 1972
Dear Todd:
I have recently learned that we both share a common interest—the exploration of outer space. As you may know, my own interest in the subject of aviation began at a very early age and was spurred on with the advent of rocketry and the sudden possibility of actually penetrating the mysteries of the universe beyond our own small planet Earth. The unknown has always held a fascination for me and I consider myself very lucky to have been able to participate in the voyage of discovering another world. I hope that your own enthusiasm will continue as our activities in space exploration progress.
Sincerely,
Neil A. Armstrong
Professor of Aerospace Engineering
Enclosed with the letter was an Apollo 11 patch.
September 12, 1972
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
You are my favorite astronaut. I always loved you. I want to ask a favor will you please send me a picture of you and your crew, your rocket ship, splash down and you on the moon. Thank You.
Yours Truly,
Eddie Furman
Brooklyn, New York
“YOU WERE THE FIRST MAN ON THE MOON, CORRECT?”
December 11, 1972
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
You were the first man on the moon, correct? I want some pictures, because I am a big fan of yours!
P.S. Please write back!
Sincerely yours,
Craig Kmiecik
Hillsdale, New Jersey
“DID YOU MEET ANY MARTIANS UP THERE”
January 5, 1973
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
Did you meet any martians up there, you know the moon. Well if you did send me a picture of the strongest one. Did you have a good time. How are you. By the way how’s the weather. Well have to go. See ya.
Seeya,
Chris Markus
Williston Park, New York
P. S. You better write back. Because this letter took me a long time to think of.
P. S. S. Write back.
P. S. S. S. Don’t forget to write back.
P. S. S. S. S. Goodbye
Turn Over
P. S. S. S. S. S. Send some pictures of the moon. Na forget it.
P. S. S. S. S. S. S. Write Back.
P. S. S. S. S. S. S. S. Seeya
P. S. S. S. S. S. S. S. S. Write Back. Don’t forget.
P. S. S. S. S. S. S. S. S. S. Goodye This is last P. S. or P. S. S. S. S.
“SO DO YOU GET HICCUPS IN SPACE?”
January 15, 1973
Dear Mr. Armstrong
I am a great admirer of yours. My friend and I are building a rocket, I wonder if you can give some tips. Our rocket is going to be 3 feet high and ½ a foot wide. This question may seem strange, but I am asking this because of no gravity and all the pressure against you, so do you get hiccups in space? Please reply. Thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
Gary Jones
Henry W. Longfellow School
Pasadena, California
“I AM WRITING A BOOK ABOUT YOU”
March 6, 1973
Dear Commander Armstrong,
I am 8 years old. My name is Howard Levy. I have watched the rocket lift offs and splash-downs since your landing on the moon. I would like to be an astronaut when I grow up. I am writing a book about you.
I would like to know how you became an astronaut. I will be glad to send a copy of the book if you would like one. Thank you for helping me with my book.
Sincirely
Howard Levy
Blackstone, Virginia
July 21, 1973
Dear Sir
As the First man to set foot on the Moon, I guess you should be the first Astronaut to be on My Distinguished List of great and famous people’s personally signed letter. Size about 10ʺ x 12ʺ on your finest astronauts stationary—Picture size should be about 8ʺ x 10ʺ. The main reason I mention size is because each personally signed letter or personally autographed picture and in your case I would sure like to have both, colored picture if possible.
You might say this guy sure has a lot of nerve to ask for a favor and then ask for an almost exact size. This is because each letter and/or picture or both are placed on a separate page, under acetate cover, and put in a very exspensive Leather Binder—Size about 11½ʺ x 12ʺ also I might add that out of 300 requests, I have only one or two refushed to answer my letter. I am working on VOL IV at the present time and this is over a period of two years.
The following zerox copies will give you a good idea of my success in this very interesting, rewarding—different, unique, and valuable collection. In fact it is fast becoming (one of a kind) in the entire country. You probably won’t believe this but $25,000 would not buy it from me at the present time and in the years ahead (not in my time or yours) it will be priceless, as you already know their are some things (even Howard Hughes could not buy).
Just a short history of myself. I was born in Mansfield, Ohio 3/16/13 and after graduation from High School, I went to work for the Great Prudential Jus. Co. of America as an agent in my own home town. After serving the company in various catagories for 32½ years of loyal service—the pressures became too great for me. So on 2/27/68 I was forced to go on Disability Retirement. Consequently, one might say that after moving to Las Vegas, Nev. My doctor said I needed a real good Hobby. After careful consideration this one was right down my alley (probably from my great success in the Insurance Field).
Thanking you in advance for reading this lengthy epistle, I will be awaiting your early reply.
Sincerely
Richard W. Nixon
Las Vegas, Nevada
P.S. Please let me know if I can reach all the Famous Astronauts at this same address.
Attached to the letter that Mr. Nixon sent to Neil a list of over 100 celebrities for which he claimed to have “personally signed and authenticated letters”—a list that included President Richard M. Nixon, his wife Patrician Nixon, and the Nixons’ two daughters, Julia Nixon Eisenhower and Tricia Nixon Cox. He also sent a business card showing the Nixon family crest. If Neil or his secretaries responded to Mr. Nixon’s letter, I have not found that reply.
“THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS COULD
NOT ADEQUATELY RESPOND”
September 11, 1974
Dear Professor Armstrong:
This is an attempt to gain clarification of the remarks attributed to you upon your landing on the moon on July 20, 1969. It is also a request upon your busy schedule to help us correctly comprehend the true significance of your thoughts.
The Library of Congress could not adequately respond to our inquiry, and referred us directly to you.
It is recorded that upon your first step upon the moon you said:
“It is one small step for (a) man,
one giant leap for mankind.”
The emphasis of distinction is whether the comments you made were, “… step for man …” or “… step for a man…”
Until recently we were of the opinion that you represented all of mankind with your first step and accepted the responsibility without being overcome with the awesome nature of the event. With the latter emphasis it seems to indicate that you recognized your own fallibility as a man who seemed to comprehend his place in the cosmos.
We tend to identify with the latter as we all are but a part of humanity working for mankind. Consequently we ask that you, if you would, help us comprehend a bit of history more clearly. The moon landing holds a special significance in our life. The fact that it was you who made the first step that help clarify the misunderstanding, would be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Rody and Doris Yezman
Alexandria, Virginia
Reply from Luanna J. Fisher
October 3, 1974
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Yezman:
Professor Armstrong’s statement, intended to include the (a), was simply intended to mean that, although the step from the lunar module to the surface of the moon was simple for a man, the importance, philosophically, for the future of humankind was enormous.
I hope this is of help. Professor Armstrong appreciates your interest.
Sincerely,
(Miss) Luanna J. Fisher
Secretary to Professor Neil A. Armstrong
“SOME OF THE KIDS DIDN’T BELIEVE THAT
YOU HAVE BEEN TO THE MOON.”
December 6, 1974
Professor Armstrong,
I’m a 9th grade student at Edmonson County High School.
One day while we were studying science the subject came up about the Astronauts. Some of the kids didn’t believe that you have been to the Moon. But myself I do. So could you send me some kind of information to take to school that will prove that you went.
My teacher Coach Dave Denton tried to explain but they still couldn’t understand.
Thank You,
Rebecca Ann Decker
c/o Mr. Leon Decker
Bee Spring, Kentucky
On this letter Neil made a note to his secretary Luanna J. Fisher: “Lu—Tell her it’s not necessary to prove it. When they are a bit older they’ll believe. N”
Reply from Luanna J. Fisher
January 10, 1975
Dear Rebecca:
Professor Armstrong has asked me to thank you for your kind letter. He says to tell you that it is not necessary to prove that he went to the moon. When the students are a bit older they’ll believe.
Thank you for your interest.
Sincerely,
Secretary to Professor Neil A. Armstrong
“WOULD YOU HELP US BY LISTING SEVERAL
BOOKS YOU HAVE ENJOYED”
September 22, 1975
Dear Mr. Armstrong:
Our library is planning a display using the theme of favorite books. We are writing to various well-known people to ask for their suggestions. Would you help us by listing several books you have enjoyed and would like to recommend to others? We will display your response to our college students, faculty and the general public.
Thank you.
Yours truly,
Terry Ann Forster
Reference Librarian
Lane Community College
Eugene, Oregon
At the bottom of Ms. Forster’s letter, Neil printed the names of the following books and authors:
The Papers of Wilbur & Orville Wright, McFarland
Fate is the Hunter, Ernest Gann
Red Giants & White Dwarfs, Robert Jastrow
I did not find a reply to Ms. Forster but assume that one of Neil’s secretaries prepared and sent a letter to the librarian giving his short list of recommended books.
“THEY WILL CHERISH THESE BOOKS
FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES”
June 8, 1979
Dear Mr. Armstrong:
I want to shoot the moon and ask you for a small favor; in fact, two small favors. Let me explain.
Ten years ago I took my two young daughters (Francie, age 13 and Kate, age 10) down to Cape Kennedy to watch your momentous lift-off to the moon. I had each of the girls keep a log of extraordinary events before and after the lift-off. Each day into their logs they wrote their own observations along with newspaper accounts, photographs, maps, etc. which they pasted down on separate sheets.
I recently came upon these two logs and I am about to have them bound in covers to present to each of my daughters on the tenth anniversary of Apollo XI. The thought came to me that the final page in these two logs could ideally be a short note from you to each of the girls. I have no specific thoughts to suggest on this matter with the exception to wish them well on their own future endeavors (Francie, now age 23, just graduated last week with honors from the University of New Hampshire and Kate, now age 20, is a junior at Northwestern).
I know that both of the girls have long since forgotten about the logs they kept. Once they see them again, I know they will cherish these books for the rest of their lives.
If you can supply me with two notes and send them to the above address, I will be extremely grateful.
Cordially,
Nicholas Benton
Vice President
Time-Life Books Inc.
Alexandria, Virginia
P. S. I enclose copies of the July 16, 1969 pages from their logs for your enjoyment.
Francie Benton’s account
July 16, 1969
Today we stumbled and groaned out of bed at 2:00 in the morning. Hoped into the Avis car that we rented. We expected the roads to be jam packed, but the highway was free of cars all the way to Coacoa Beach. In Coacoa Beach we had breakfast in a small coffee shop. It took us about an hour to find Colberts Marina, and by then it was 5:45 and the traffic started piling in. At about 7:00 the boat started down the Indian River toward Cape Kennedy. The boat ancored 3½ miles away.
We heard the count down on the radio, at 1 second fire started spitting out from beneath the rocket. We couldn’t hear any noise untill the rocket was about half a mile into the air and then it sounded like machine guns. I cried a little thinking that man was really going to the moon.
Kate Benton’s account
Wed. July 16, 1969.
At two o’clock in the morning Dad woke up Francie and me. We got dressed quickly and got in the car to drive from our hotel in Daytona to Cape Kennedy. Francie and I fell asleep in the car but we woke up when Dad pulled over to the side of the road. He told us to look out the window and there on the horizon was the rocket.
It was beautiful! The search lights were lighting it up and it was bright white. The rocket was or looked one foot tall but it is really much bigger.
After we had some breakfast we drove to Mr. King’s boat (a friend of Dad’s). It was now six o’clock and the dawn was coming up. We started off at seven and went up the Indian River where we saw some dolphins. Mr. King anchored his boat three and a half miles away from the launching pad.
We listened to the countdown on the radio and I looked through the binoculars and all of a sudden the rocket went off! It looked really great when the flame let off all the smoke. As it went off it felt like there was a strong thunder shaking the world.
It was so fantastic! and very bright. When it went out of sight it burned a hole through the cloud and then it was out of sight.
After the lift off Mr. King served champagne so we could salute the three astronauts.
Personal reply and letters from Neil
October 2, 1979
Dear Mr. Benton:
While working my way through the stacks of mail that had accumulated during a busy summer away from the campus, I came across your letter and the Apollo launch accounts of your daughters, which I enjoyed thoroughly.
The notes for your use are several months late, but you may still want them, and so they are enclosed.
In any case, please give my very best to Francie and Kate.
Sincerely,
Neil A. Armstrong
Associate Director
Institute for Applied Interdisciplinary Research
University of Cincinnati
Dear Kate:
Ten years ago, we shared an experience: you from one vantage point, I from another. I hope you will remember the occasion with some warmth and satisfaction, as I do.
I enclose my sincere good wishes for your future happiness.
Sincerely,
Neil A. Armstrong
Associate Director
Institute for Applied Interdisciplinary Research
University of Cincinnati
October 2, 1979
Dear Francie:
It is impertinent for me to address you so personally, but it seems appropriate. I know you through your account of an occasion we shared ten years ago; an occasion I remember clearly.
Over the past decade, you have grown to adulthood and have excelled in what we call “higher education.” I can only hope that you will enjoy a life filled with events that you consider worthy of being categorized as “human progress.”
Sincerely,
Neil A. Armstrong
Associate Director
Institute for Applied Interdisciplinary Research
University of Cincinnati
“I WAS JUST WONDERING WHERE YOU THOUGHT IT UP”
October 25, 1980
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
You are, of course, a great person, and I am very proud to be able to write to you.
The quote you made when you first stepped on the moon (“It’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”) is a quote that will live for ever in men’s hearts. I am only 14 and don’t remember when man first set foot on the moon, but that quote has been with me for as long as I can remember. It is one of my favorite quotes (besides Bible verses), and I was wondering how it ever got started. I know you probably knew you would have to say something great when you first stepped on the moon, and I’m sure you knew it would become famous. I was just wondering where you thought it up. Whether it was on Earth, on the way to the moon, or if it just popped into your head right before you stepped on the moon.
I would love it so much if you could answer, and I have enclosed a self-addressed stamped envelope so it won’t cost you anything to reply. Thank you so much.
Very sincerely,
Richard Lawson
Madera, California
Reply from Vivian White, Neil’s assistant
November 7, 1980
Dear Mr. Lawson:
Mr. Armstrong has asked me to reply to your letter and to thank you for your interest.
Mr. Armstrong conceived the statement after landing on the moon, but prior to emerging from the craft.
Sincerely,
Vivian White
Assistant to Neil A. Armstrong