First Man

by James R. Hansen

  pondering whether he should keep flying Mrs. Stephen Armstrong as told to Lorraine Wetzel, “Neil Armstrong’s Boyhood Crisis,” Guideposts (Feb. 1970): 3–7. In FOM, Farmer and Hamblin wrote: “[Neil’s] mother thought that he might give up flying after he saw one of his fellow students die in a plane crash. …Neil spent most of the next two days in his room, his mother remembered, but he did not give up flying” (p. 114). I have not been able to locate the interview in which Viola suggested this to the Life magazine writers, but the comments seem in character, even if it is not an accurate reflection of Neil’s reaction to Carl Lange’s tragic death.

  “never felt he was affected by it in any way” JAH to author, Aug. 14, 2002, p. 21.

  Chapter 6: Aeronautical Engineering 101

  “shattering the sonic wall” These were the words of Air Force Secretary Stuart Symington when he confirmed on June 10, 1948, that the Bell X-1 had broken the sound barrier. See James Hansen, The Bird Is on the Wing: Aerodynamics and the Progress of the American Airplane, p. 102. For a thorough history of the X-1 program, see Richard P. Hallion, Supersonic Flight: Breaking the SoundBarrier and Beyond, rev. ed.

  “missed all the great times” NAA: e-mail to author, Oct. 14, 2003.

  “very good math skills” Doris Barr, Cincinnati, OH., to author, telephone conversation, Aug. 15, 2002. As it turned out, Armstrong probably did not need trigonometry to get into engineering school; in fact, his high school transcript did not record the course from Doris Barr.

  “build up the naval air reserve strength” NAA to SB&DB, in Quest, p. 8.

  medical examination recorded “Physical Examination for Flying,” Form NAVMED AV-1 (1943), dated Mar. 7, 1947, copy in Armstrong’s military records file, NPRC.

  “fly the airplane for seven dollars an hour” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 17.

  “dropped the blackberries” VEA to DJH, tape 1A, pp. 6–7.

  “a wonderful deal” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 22. In 1947, Armstrong’s primary costs at Purdue University, all of which were covered by his navy scholarship, probably ran no higher than about $400 for the academic year. For college tuition in 1945, the GI Bill provided veterans with a maximum of $500 per academic year and out of that money the student had to pay for course fees, books, and supplies, estimated by the university at forty to fifty dollars per semester.

  navy appointment letter L. C. Conwell, Commander, USN, Officer Procurement Division, to Mr. Neil Alden Armstrong, 601 West Benton, Wapakoneta, OH, May 14, 1947, copy in Armstrong’s military records file, NPRC.

  “‘shop culture’ school” DSS: letter, King of Prussian, PA, to author, Dec. 25, 2002, p. 3.

  “We took all pretty much the standard stuff” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 24.

  “Students didn’t protest” Letter: DAG to author, Nov. 30, 2002, p. 1.

  “tested out of freshman English” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 24.

  “kind of a whirl” Ibid.

  “sleeping in the field house” TT: e-mail to author, Oct. 23, 2002.

  “Dear Mom & Family” VEAP: NAA, 400 Salisbury, W. Lafayette, IN, to Mrs. S. K. Armstrong, 601 W. Benton, Wapakoneta, OH, May 3, 1948.

  “made the wrong choice” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 24.

  “I have no idea” NAA: e-mail to author, Oct. 26, 2003.

  “kids looked so young!” NAA to SA&DB, in Quest, p. 14.

  “quiet, pleasant type” PJK, Las Vegas: letter to author, Nov. 17, 2002, p. 3.

  “combination where I can do both” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 45.

  “not rigorous enough” Milton Clauser’s views on the need to reform Purdue’s aeronautical engineering curriculum are summarized in Grandt Jr. et al., OneSmall Step, p. 101.

  “engineering science” For a rich historical treatment of the role of engineering science in American aeronautics, see Walter G. Vincenti, What EngineersKnow and How They Know It. See also From Engineering Science to Big Science:The NACA and NASA Collier Trophy Research Project Winners, ed. Pamela E. Mack. For a specific analysis of the development of engineering science within college aeronautical engineering programs, see Amy Elizabeth Foster, “Aeronautical Science 101: The Development of Engineering Science in Aeronautical Engineering Education at the University of Minnesota,” MA Thesis, University of Minnesota, Oct. 1980. Dr. Foster (PhD, Auburn University,2005) compares the AE programs at Minnesota and Purdue. 61 “in that Wind Tunnel class” Dr. Leslie A. Hromas letter to author, Oct. 17, 2002, “Interactions and Thoughts About Neil.”

  “Neil would roam” Richard H. Petersen, La Jolla, CA: e-mail to author, Nov. 4, 2002.

  the days of “The Paddle” NAA: e-mail to author, Oct. 26, 2003.

  “Marvin Karasek, an amazing pianist and composer” NAA: e-mail to author, Oct. 28, 2003.

  La Fing Stock VEAP: Copies of show programs for “Student Union Presents ‘Varsity Varieties,’” Nov. 19, 1952, and Nov. 20, 1953.

  “trade party” cohosted by Janet’s sorority JSA to author, Sept. 10, 2004 (morning), transcript, p. 19.

  “damage sufficient to prevent flying it back” NAA: e-mail to author, Dec. 3, 2002.

  “haul it back…on our grandfather’s hay wagon” DAA to author, pp. 17–18.

  “cease to be known as a spaceman?” Quoted in Ira Berkow, “Cincinnati’s Invisible Hero,” CD, Jan. 17, 1976.

  Part Three: Wings of Gold

  E Letter, Peter J. Karnoski, Las Vegas, NV, to author, Nov. 17, 2002, p. 3.

  E Quoted on the last page of James A. Michener, The Bridges at Toko-Ri (NY: Random House, 1953).

  Chapter 7: Class 5-49

  Since the days of John Paul Jones Richard C. Knott, A Heritage of Wings: An Illustrated History of Navy Aviation, pp. 268–69.

  “called us up early” NAA to SA&DB, in Quest, p. 8.

  “NavCads” “The NavCads were more expendable,” recalled Tommy Thompson of Class 5-49. “The navy had very little invested in them as compared to having paid for two years of college for the midshipmen.”

  “little time away from the grind” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 26.

  “how to polish our shoes” TT: e-mail to author, Oct. 29, 2002. Attachment: “Flight Training,” p. 1.

  “gave everyone low grades” NAA: e-mail to author, Nov. 11, 2003.

  “walked [disciplinary] ‘tours’” PJK: letter to author, Nov. 17, 2002, p. 1.

  only one “Delinquent Report” “Delinquency Report, Pre-Flight, Battalion I: Aviation Training Summary,” Jacket Number C-5-49-C-197, CNATRA (Chief of Naval Air Training) Files, U.S. Navy Historical Research Center, Pensacola, FL. All quotes pertaining to Armstrong’s flight training come from his CNATRA file.

  “Neil was one of us” PJK: letter to author, Nov. 17, 2002, pp. 1–2.

  “some of us just barely” TT: e-mail to author, Oct. 29, 2002, Attachment: “Flight Training,” p. 1.

  averaged 3.27 Grade reporting sheet, Navy Department, Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, DC, n.d., copy in Armstrong’s military records file.

  “sat in the rear seat” TT: e-mail to author, Oct. 29, 2002, Attachment: “Flight Training,” p. 2. William A. Mackey (“Wam”), who instructed at Whiting Field from June 1948 to July 1949, remembers that “the instructor rode in the back and the student in the front seat.” WAM, written comments to author on draft MSS, Jan. 11, 2005.

  “a big step up” NAA: e-mail to author, Nov. 11, 2003.

  “Average to above” Armstrong’s CNATRA file.

  “sure of himself in that plane” PJK: letter to author, Nov. 17, 2002, p. 2.

  “confident, but not cocky” DSS: letter to author, Dec. 25, 2002, p. 3.

  “If it involved flying” BJC: letter to author, Nov. 15, 2002, Attachment, p. 3.

  “you’re indestructible!” PJK: letter to author, Nov. 17, 2002, p. 2.

  “do things with perfection” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 27.

  “every man for himself” DSS: letter to author, Dec. 25, 2002, p. 1. />
  “advance along his track faster” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 30.

  “LSO had a paddle in each hand” Ibid., p. 28.

  “keep both eyes open” Ibid., pp. 28–29.

  “take off easily, without a catapult” Ibid., p. 28.

  “very emotional achievement” Ibid., p. 27.

  “highly precise kind of flying” Ibid., p. 28.

  “fighter pilots always said” NAA to SA&DB, in Quest, p. 9.

  “responsible for anybody else” VEA to DJH, ca. June 1969, Tape 1A, p. 7.

  “first for bragging rights” HAG: e-mail to author, Oct. 10, 2002.

  Chapter 8: Fighter Squadron 51

  “given the West Coast” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 31.

  “attached to this command in a pool status” Officer’s Fitness Report signed by Cdr. Luke H. Miller, Commanding Officer, FASRON 7, NASA San Diego, CA, Dec. 5, 1950, copy in Armstrong’s military records file.

  “waiting for my fighter assignment” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 31.

  “lovely flying experience” Ibid.

  “single-engine pilots wanted to fly jets” WAB: e-mail to author, Sept. 15, 2002.

  “mystique about flying” KCK: e-mail to author, July 3, 2003.

  “a dream spot” HAG: e-mail to author, Oct. 12, 2002.

  “made every plane he ever flew look good” John Moore, The Wrong Stuff: Flying on the Edge of Disaster, p. 93.

  “can’t have all four of those guys!” WAM to author, Sept. 21, 2002, p. 3.

  eleven additional “nuggets” EMB: letter to author, Nov. 12, 2002, p. 2.

  “fly with each of the nuggets” EMB: letter to author, Nov. 12, 2002, p. 2.

  “whatever Ernie found out about me” NAA: e-mail to author, Nov. 13, 2003.

  “vibration-free flow of power” WAB: e-mail to author, Sept. 15, 2002.

  “high-powered race car” HAG: e-mail to author, Oct. 20, 2002.

  “very short legs” WAM to author, Sept. 21, 2002, p. 3.

  “one of those magic moments” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 31.

  “quiet without being shy” HAG: e-mail to author, Oct. 12, 2002.

  “very solid aviator” WAM to author, Sept. 21, 2002, p. 13.

  “designated naval aviator” EMB: letter to author, Nov. 12, 2002, p. 2.

  flying was…“a bit scarce” NAA: e-mail to author, Nov. 14, 2002.

  “swept-wing MiG-15s” HAG: e-mail to author, Oct. 20, 2002.

  “very young, very green” NAA to SA&DB, in Quest, p. 10.

  “won against a MiG” NAA to SA&DB, in Quest, p. 11.

  “didn’t have particularly good handling qualities” Ibid.

  “lot of fun” WAM to author, Sept. 21, 2002, p. 5.

  “the best of the navy fighters” HAG: e-mail to author, Oct. 22, 2002.

  “speeds tended to be higher on the jet” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 32.

  “thought they were crazy” NAA to SA&DB, in Quest, p. 10.

  “in proper lineal position with his contemporaries” Chief of Naval Personnel, Department of the Navy, Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, DC, to ENS Neil Alden Armstrong, USN, “Change in Date of Rank,” n.d., copy in Armstrong’s military records file.

  “great precision pilot” KCK: e-mail to author, July 3, 2003.

  “skill and the nerve” HAG: e-mail to author, Oct. 20, 2002.

  “graded on every landing” KCK: e-mail to author, July 3, 2003.

  “first few catapult launches took faith” HAG: e-mail to author, Oct. 20, 2002.

  “perilously close to the water” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 38.

  “recommended for promotion when due” Officer’s Fitness Report signed by Capt. Austin W. Wheelock, Commanding Officer, USS Essex, June 30, 1951, copy in Armstrong’s military records file.

  “a big letdown for us” KCK: e-mail to author, July 3, 2003.

  “only game in town” KCK: e-mail to EMB forwarded to author, July 3, 2003.

  “kick us ensigns off the ship” Rickelton diary, July 11, 1951.

  “war is as good as over” Ibid., July 25, 1951.

  Chapter 9: Fate Is the Hunter

  “adventure of their life” GER to William Holloway, Cincinnati, OH, Mar. 17, 1999, communicated to author in e-mail from Holloway, Dec. 3, 2003.

  “Same rolling, pitching” Journal of Robert Kaps, “USS Essex (CV9), Carrier Air Group Five, 28 June 1951 to 25 March 1952,” entry for Aug. 20, 1951.

  “broke my fist on the…bulkhead” “Personal Diary of Ensign Glen Howard “Rick” Rickelton, U.S. Navy, Written During VF-51 Combat Flight Training & Korean War Service Aboard CV-9 U.S.S. Essex,” entry for Aug. 20, 1951.

  first time navy fighters…ever escorted On the Rashin raid on Aug. 25, 1951, see Richard P. Hallion, The Naval Air War in Korea, pp. 181–85.

  “The four-plane division” NAA: e-mail to author, Nov. 25, 2003.

  “one of the boys” HAG to author, June 20, 2003, p. 15.

  “Neil in the ready room after dinner at the blackboard” Ibid., pp. 2–3.

  “Neil, where were you?” Story told in JM, Wrong Stuff, pp. 120–21.

  “very good relationship” KCK: e-mail to author, July 16, 2003.

  “delighted when I had the chance to fly with him” NAA to SA&DB, in Quest, p. 13.

  “‘guy just doesn’t care!’” Tape-recorded letter, HCS to author, p. 5.

  “‘CAG, help me out’” WAM to author, pp. 12–13.

  “greatest of the ‘follow me, boys!’” Quoted in Michener, “The Forgotten Heroes of Korea,” Saturday Evening Post, May 10, 1952, p. 20.

  What the hell was the man thinking? GER: letter to author, Sept. 24, 2003, p. 3.

  “couple of hundred more pounds of fuel” NAA: e-mail to author, Dec. 21, 2003.

  “as contrary as we could” Ibid., p. 35.

  “shocking incident” Commander, Carrier Air Group Five to Commanding Officer, USS Essex (CV-9), “Action Report of Carrier Air Group FIVE (18 August 1951–19 September 1951,” Sept. 22, 1951, p. 4, Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC. Accessible online at www.history.navy.mil.

  “heckler…exploded after catapult” Kaps journal, entry for Aug. 23, 1951.

  “pronounced outlook on the point of survival” Commander, Carrier Air Group Five to Commanding Officer, USS Essex, “Action Report of Carrier Air Group FIVE (18 August 1951–19 September 1951,” Sept. 22, 1951, p. 4.

  “not the hero type” Kaps journal, entry for Sept. 2, 1951.

  experience of Paul Gray In The Naval Air War in Korea, historian Richard P. Hallion calls Commander Paul Gray of VF-54 “the Navy’s own flak magnet and Wonsan harbor ditching expert” (p. 186). James A. Michener features Gray and the five times he was shot down in “The Forgotten Heroes of Korea,” TheSaturday Evening Post, May 10, 1952, pp. 19–21 and 124–28.

  “could have walked on it” Rickelton diary, entry for Sept. 3, 1951.

  flying with John Carpenter In some of the incorrect versions of Armstrong’s flight of September 3, 1951, Neil is said to have been flying as wingman for Dick Wenzell. For example, see Thomas F. Gates, “The Screaming Eagles in Korea, 1950–1953; Part 2,” The Hook (Winter 1996): 26.

  “ARMSTRONG of VF-51 saved his own life” Commander, Carrier Air Group Five to Commanding Officer, USS Essex, “Action Report of Carrier Air Group FIVE (18 August 1951–19 September 1951,” Sept. 22, 1951, p. 5.

  “Armstrong bailed out” “One Stub Wing,” Naval Aviation News (Dec. 1951), in section on “Korean Air War,” n.p.

  “regained control” Hallion, The Naval Air War in Korea, pp. 166–67.

  “going to snap” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 36.

  “told me to go find out about it, so I did!” JM, Wrong Stuff, p. 120. Moore’s story is repeated as fact in Gates, “The Screaming Eagles,” p. 24.

  “intended to come down in the water” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 36.

  �
��‘pay the government for that helmet’” KID to author, June 27, 2003, p. 10.

  “cool handling of the situation” HAG: e-mail to author, Oct. 23, 2002.

  “Bailed out over Pohang” Armstrong logbook, Sept. 3, 1951.

  “price to pay for a goddamn truck!” JM, Wrong Stuff, p. 124.

  “living bejesus shot at them” KID to author, p. 8.

  “lives of five pilots, one air crewman, and ten aircraft” Commander, Carrier Air Group Five to Commanding Officer, USS Essex, “Action Report of Carrier Air Group FIVE (18 August 1951–19 September 1951,” Sept. 22, 1951, p. 5.

  “Two damn fine guys lost and for what?” Kaps journal, entry for Sept. 4, 1951.

  “worst part of it” Rickelton journal, entry for Sept. 4, 1951.

  “it did get better” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 37.

  “never missed an opportunity to shoot” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 38.

  “with our hands tied” HAG: e-mail to author, Oct. 23, 2002.

  “stress maybe even panic in his voice” “Ernie Beauchamp’s Account of the Banshee Crash,” in “VF-51 in Korea—The Essex Cruise,” by KCK and HG, undated MSS, p. 11. In November 2003, when the author received it from KCK, this manuscript was still a work in progress.

  “Jesus Christ, look at it burn!” “Hersch Gott’s Recollection of the Banshee Crash,” in “VF-51 in Korea—The Essex Cruise,” by KCK and HG, p. 16.

  “ducked under it as it went by” Rickelton diary, entry made on Sept. 18, 1951, two days after the Banshee crash.

  “heat was horrible” JM, Wrong Stuff, p. 7.

  “no heed of personal safety” Commander, Carrier Air Group Five to Commanding Officer, USS Essex, “Action Report of Carrier Air Group FIVE (18 August 1951–19 September 1951,” Sept. 22, 1951, p. 7.

  “‘Essex hard luck’” Kaps journal, entry for Sept. 16, 1951.

  Chapter 10: The Ordeal of Eagles

  “unique and interesting” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 41.

  “Never sell them short” VEA to DJH, Wapakoneta, ca. June 1969, Tape 1B, p. 12.

  “get photos one day” HG to author, June 20, 2003, p. 18.

  “Let’s go shoot something” GER: letter to author, Sept. 24, 2002, p. 3.

  “up close along the border” NAA to author, Aug. 13, 2002, p. 40.