Childhood and Education Journey of Buzz Aldrin in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Buzz Aldrin, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Buzz Aldrin is an American former astronaut, engineer, and fighter pilot, most famously known as the second person to walk on the Moon during the 1969 Apollo 11 mission. He also piloted the 1966 Gemini 12 mission, undertaking three spacewalks. Following the deaths of his crewmates, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins, Aldrin is the last surviving member of the Apollo 11 crew.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

January 20, 1930: Buzz Aldrin's Birth

On January 20, 1930, Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr., later known as Buzz Aldrin, was born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.

Others born on this day/year

1946: Attended Severn School

In 1946, Aldrin attended Severn School, a preparatory school for the Naval Academy, but decided against pursuing a career in the Navy.

1947: Entered West Point

In 1947, Aldrin entered the United States Military Academy at West Point.

1950: Study Trip to Japan and Philippines

In 1950, Aldrin traveled with a group of West Point cadets to Japan and the Philippines to study military government policies of Douglas MacArthur.

June 5, 1951: Graduation from West Point

On June 5, 1951, Aldrin graduated third in his class from West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.

1951: Graduation from West Point

In 1951, Aldrin graduated third in his class from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in mechanical engineering and was commissioned into the United States Air Force.

December 1952: Assignment to 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

In December 1952, Aldrin was assigned to the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, part of the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, based at Suwon Air Base in Korea, during the Korean War.

December 29, 1954: Aldrin Marries Joan Archer

On December 29, 1954, Buzz Aldrin married Joan Archer, an alumna of Rutgers University and Columbia University.

1955: Graduation from Squadron Officer School

In 1955, Buzz Aldrin graduated from the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.

1959: Enrolled at MIT

In 1959, Aldrin enrolled as a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to earn a master's degree through the Air Force Institute of Technology.

January 1963: Earned Doctorate in Astronautics

In January 1963, Aldrin earned a Sc.D. degree in astronautics from MIT. His doctoral thesis was Line-of-Sight Guidance Techniques for Manned Orbital Rendezvous.

1964: Masters Degree at MIT

In 1964, Charles Duke also took the astrodynamics course and wrote his master's degree at MIT under the supervision of Laurence R. Young.

February 28, 1966: Deaths of Gemini 9 Crew

On February 28, 1966, the deaths of the Gemini 9 prime crew, Elliot See and Charles Bassett, in an air crash, led to Lovell and Aldrin being moved up to backup for Gemini 9.

May 1968: Mother's suicide

In May 1968, Aldrin's mother committed suicide, leading to feelings of guilt due to his post-Gemini 12 fame; he also believed he had inherited depression.

July 21, 1969: Walking on the Moon

On July 21, 1969, at 03:15:16 UTC, Buzz Aldrin became the second person to set foot on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission, nineteen minutes after Neil Armstrong. During the mission, Aldrin, a Presbyterian elder, took communion on the Moon, which was the first food and liquid consumed there.

1970: First Communion on the Moon

In 1970, Aldrin reflected that he was the first person to pour liquid and eat food (communion elements) on the Moon.

1971: Leaving NASA

In 1971, Aldrin left NASA and became the Commandant of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.

1972: Retirement from the Air Force

In 1972, Aldrin retired from the Air Force after 21 years of service.

1973: Publication of "Return to Earth"

In 1973, Aldrin's autobiography "Return to Earth" was published, recounting his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism after leaving NASA.

Return to Earth

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1973: Return to Earth Published

In 1973, Aldrin's autobiography, Return to Earth, was published, recounting his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism.

Return to Earth

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December 28, 1974: Death of Aldrin's father

On December 28, 1974, Aldrin's father died from complications following a heart attack.

1974: Aldrin Files for Divorce from Joan Archer

In 1974, Buzz Aldrin and Joan Archer filed for divorce.

December 31, 1975: Aldrin Marries Beverly Van Zile

On December 31, 1975, Buzz Aldrin married Beverly Van Zile.

1976: Return to Earth TV movie

In 1976, the TV movie version of Return to Earth, starring Stefanie Powers as Marianne, a woman with whom Aldrin had an affair, was released.

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October 1978: Aldrin quits drinking

In October 1978, Aldrin quit drinking for good after periods of hospitalization and sobriety alternating with bouts of heavy drinking.

1978: Aldrin Becomes Teetotaler

Aldrin has been a teetotaler since 1978.

1978: Aldrin Divorces Beverly Van Zile

In 1978, Buzz Aldrin and Beverly Van Zile divorced.

1981: Death of William Holden

In 1981, Aldrin was saddened by the alcohol-related death of William Holden, whom Aldrin had attempted to help with his drinking problems.

1985: Joins University of North Dakota

In 1985, Aldrin joined the University of North Dakota (UND)'s College of Aerospace Sciences, helping to develop their Space Studies program.

1985: Aldrin Resides in Los Angeles Area

Since 1985, Aldrin has primarily resided in the Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills and Laguna Beach.

February 14, 1988: Aldrin Marries Lois Driggs Cannon

On February 14, 1988, Buzz Aldrin married Lois Driggs Cannon.

1988: Legal Name Change to Buzz

In 1988, Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. legally changed his first name to Buzz, a nickname that originated from his sister's mispronunciation of "brother".

1998: Visit to North Pole

In 1998, Aldrin traveled to the North Pole.

2004: Aldrin Appears at Rally for George W. Bush

In 2004, Aldrin appeared at a rally supporting George W. Bush.

2007: Aldrin Confirms Facelift

In 2007, Aldrin confirmed to Time magazine that he had recently undergone a face-lift, attributing it jokingly to the effects of g-forces experienced in space.

2008: Aldrin Campaigns for Paul Rancatore

In 2008, Aldrin campaigned for Paul Rancatore in Florida.

2009: Publication of "Magnificent Desolation"

In 2009, Aldrin's autobiography "Magnificent Desolation" was published, where he recounts his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism after leaving NASA.

Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon

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2009: Magnificent Desolation Published

In 2009, Aldrin's autobiography, Magnificent Desolation, was published, recounting his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism.

Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon

Check it on Amazon

December 2012: Aldrin's Divorce from Lois Driggs Cannon Finalized

In December 2012, the divorce between Buzz Aldrin and Lois Driggs Cannon was finalized. The settlement included 50 percent of their $475,000 bank account and $9,500 a month plus 30 percent of his annual income.

2014: Aldrin Campaigns for Mead Treadwell in Alaska

In 2014, Aldrin campaigned for Mead Treadwell in Alaska.

2014: Aldrin Sells Westwood Condominium

In 2014, Aldrin sold his Westwood condominium, following his third divorce in 2012.

2015: Aldrin Named Chancellor of the International Space University

In 2015, Aldrin was appointed as the Chancellor of the International Space University.

December 2016: Medical evacuation from South Pole

In December 2016, Aldrin fell ill while visiting the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica and was evacuated to Christchurch, New Zealand. At 86, he was the oldest person to reach the South Pole.

2018: Aldrin Campaigns for Dan Crenshaw in Texas

In 2018, Aldrin campaigned for Dan Crenshaw in Texas.

July 20, 2019: Hoped Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Moon Landing

Buzz Aldrin hoped to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the moon landing on July 20, 2019 with Neil Armstrong and Mike Collins.

2019: Aldrin Attends State of the Union Address as Guest of President Trump

In 2019, Aldrin attended the State of the Union Address as a guest of President Donald Trump.

2022: Aldrin Has One Grandson, Three Great-Grandsons, and One Great-Granddaughter

As of 2022, Buzz Aldrin had one grandson, Jeffrey Schuss, from his daughter Janice, along with three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.

January 20, 2023: Aldrin Marries Anca Faur on his 93rd Birthday

On January 20, 2023, which was his 93rd birthday, Buzz Aldrin announced that he had married Anca Faur.

2024: Aldrin Endorses Trump in the 2024 Presidential Election

In 2024, Aldrin endorsed Donald Trump in the presidential election, citing Trump's promotion of space exploration policy as a key reason for his support.