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, best known as the second person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. As the Lunar Module Eagle pilot, he followed commander Neil Armstrong onto the lunar surface. Prior to Apollo 11, Aldrin piloted the Gemini 12 mission in 1966, during which he performed three spacewalks. With the passing of Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins, Aldrin is the last surviving member of the Apollo 11 crew. His contributions to space exploration have cemented his place as a pivotal figure in scientific and historical achievements.

Sections (4)

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

1919: Father's assignment at McCook Field

From 1919, Aldrin's father was the assistant commandant of the Army's test pilot school at McCook Field, Ohio.

1922: Father's assignment at McCook Field

Until 1922, Aldrin's father was the assistant commandant of the Army's test pilot school at McCook Field, Ohio.

1928: Father leaves the Army

In 1928, Aldrin's father left the Army and became an executive at Standard Oil.

January 20, 1930: Birth of Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr.

On January 20, 1930, Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. was born at Mountainside Hospital in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, to parents Edwin Eugene Aldrin Sr. and Marion Aldrin.

Others born on this day/year

January 20, 1930: Birth of Buzz Aldrin

On January 20, 1930, Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr., later known as Buzz Aldrin, was born. He would become an American astronaut, engineer, and fighter pilot.

Others born on this day/year

1946: Attended Severn School

In 1946, Aldrin attended Severn School, a preparatory school for the Naval Academy, but ultimately chose to pursue a career in the Air Force.

1947: Entered West Point

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

1947: Separate service United States Air Force

In 1947, the United States Air Force became a separate service while Aldrin was at West Point.

1950: West Point Trip to Japan and Philippines

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

June 5, 1951: Graduation from West Point

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

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.

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 during the Korean War.

December 1953: End of Korean tour and assignment at Nellis

In December 1953, Aldrin's year-long tour in Korea ended, and he was assigned as an aerial gunnery instructor at Nellis Air Force Base.

December 1954: Aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Zimmerman

In December 1954, Aldrin became an aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Don Z. Zimmerman, the Dean of Faculty at the United States Air Force Academy.

December 29, 1954: First Marriage to Joan Archer

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

1955: Graduation from Squadron Officer School

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

1956: Flying F-100 Super Sabres in West Germany

From 1956, Aldrin flew F-100 Super Sabres equipped with nuclear weapons as a flight commander in West Germany.

1959: Enrolled at MIT

In 1959, Aldrin enrolled as a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology through the Air Force Institute of Technology.

1959: Flying F-100 Super Sabres in West Germany

Until 1959, Aldrin flew F-100 Super Sabres equipped with nuclear weapons as a flight commander in West Germany.

January 1963: Earned Sc.D. degree in astronautics

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

1964: Charles Duke wrote master's degree at MIT

In 1964, Charles Duke, another USAF officer, wrote his master's degree at MIT under the supervision of Laurence R. Young.

February 28, 1966: Death of Gemini 9 crew

On February 28, 1966, the Gemini 9 prime crew, Elliot See and Charles Bassett, died in an air crash, leading to Aldrin being moved up one mission to backup for Gemini 9.

May 1968: Mother's Suicide

In May 1968, Aldrin's mother committed suicide, leading to Aldrin experiencing guilt and contributing to his later struggles with depression.

July 21, 1969: Walking on the Moon

On July 21, 1969, Aldrin set foot on the Moon at 03:15:16 UTC, nineteen minutes after Armstrong. He also held a private communion ceremony, the first food and liquid consumed there.

1970: Aldrin Reflects on Communion on the Moon

In 1970, Aldrin reflected on his religious ceremony on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission. He commented that the first liquid and food consumed on the Moon were communion elements.

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 Publication

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

Return to Earth

Check it on Amazon

December 28, 1974: Death of Aldrin's Father

On December 28, 1974, Aldrin's father passed away due to complications from a heart attack.

1974: Filed for divorce from Joan Archer

In 1974, Buzz Aldrin filed for divorce from his first wife, Joan Archer.

December 31, 1975: Second Marriage to Beverly Van Zile

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

1976: Return to Earth TV Movie

In 1976, a TV movie version of Aldrin's book Return to Earth was made, in which Stefanie Powers portrayed Marianne, a woman with whom Aldrin had an affair.

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October 1978: Aldrin Quits Drinking for Good

In October 1978, Aldrin successfully quit drinking after struggling with alcoholism for several years. During this period, he also attempted to help others with drinking problems.

1978: Became a teetotaler

Buzz Aldrin has been a teetotaler since 1978.

1978: Divorced Beverly Van Zile

In 1978, Buzz Aldrin divorced his second wife, Beverly Van Zile.

1981: Death of William Holden

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

1985: Joins University of North Dakota

In 1985, Aldrin joined the University of North Dakota's (UND) College of Aerospace Sciences and helped develop its Space Studies program. He also brought David Webb from NASA to serve as the department's first chair.

1985: Residence in Los Angeles area

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

February 14, 1988: Third Marriage to Lois Driggs Cannon

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

1988: Legal name change to Buzz

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

1988: Apollo 11 Followed by STS-26

In 1988, STS-26 became the next American space mission, after Apollo 11, made up entirely of astronauts who had already flown in space, making it the first since Apollo 10.

1998: Visit to the North Pole

In 1998, Aldrin traveled to the North Pole.

2004: Rally Appearance for George W. Bush

In 2004, Buzz Aldrin appeared at a rally for George W. Bush, demonstrating his active support for the Republican Party.

2007: Face-lift Confirmation

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

2008: Campaigning for Paul Rancatore

In 2008, Buzz Aldrin campaigned for Paul Rancatore in Florida, continuing his support of Republican candidates.

2009: Publication of "Magnificent Desolation"

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

Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon

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2009: Magnificent Desolation Publication

In 2009, Aldrin's autobiography, Magnificent Desolation, was published, which recounted his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism after leaving NASA.

Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon

Check it on Amazon

2009: Aldrin's Reflections on Communion

In his 2009 book, Aldrin reflected on his decision to celebrate communion on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission, expressing that perhaps he would not choose to do it again, given its Christian nature in a mission for all mankind.

Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon

Check it on Amazon

December 2012: Divorce from Lois Driggs Cannon Finalized

In December 2012, Buzz Aldrin's divorce from his third wife, Lois Driggs Cannon, was finalized.

2012: Mourning the death of Neil Armstrong

Following the 2012 death of his Apollo 11 colleague Neil Armstrong, Aldrin expressed his sadness at the passing of a true American hero.

2012: Third divorce

In 2012, Buzz Aldrin had his third divorce. Following this, in 2014, he sold his Westwood Condominium.

2014: Campaigning for Mead Treadwell

In 2014, Buzz Aldrin campaigned for Mead Treadwell in Alaska, further demonstrating his involvement in Republican Party politics.

2014: Sale of Westwood Condominium

In 2014, Buzz Aldrin sold his Westwood condominium after his divorce in 2012.

2015: Chancellor of the International Space University

In 2015, Buzz Aldrin was named the Chancellor of the International Space University.

December 2016: Illness and Evacuation from Antarctica

In December 2016, while visiting the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica, Aldrin fell ill and had to be evacuated to Christchurch, New Zealand. At 86 years of age, his visit made him the oldest person to reach the South Pole.

2018: Campaigning for Dan Crenshaw

In 2018, Buzz Aldrin campaigned for Dan Crenshaw in Texas, showcasing his continued support for Republican candidates.

July 20, 2019: 50th Anniversary of Moon Landing

Following the death of Neil Armstrong, Aldrin had hoped that on July 20, 2019, Neil, Mike, and himself would be standing together to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of their moon landing.

2019: Guest at the State of the Union Address

In 2019, Buzz Aldrin attended the State of the Union Address as a guest of President Donald Trump, highlighting his political affiliations.

2022: Family Update

As of 2022, Buzz Aldrin had one grandson, Jeffrey Schuss, and three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.

January 20, 2023: Fourth Marriage to Anca Faur

On January 20, 2023, his 93rd birthday, Buzz Aldrin announced his fourth marriage to his 63-year-old companion, Anca Faur.

2024: Endorsement of Donald Trump in 2024 presidential election

In 2024, Buzz Aldrin endorsed Donald Trump for president, citing Trump's promotion of space exploration policy. Aldrin stated he believes the nation is best served by voting for Donald J. Trump.