History of Buzz Aldrin in Timeline
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 Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Prior to this, he piloted the Gemini 12 mission in 1966, undertaking three spacewalks. Aldrin is the last surviving member of the Apollo 11 crew, following the deaths of Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins. His contributions to space exploration have cemented his place as a pivotal figure in the history of space travel.
1919: Father 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 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.
January 20, 1930: Buzz Aldrin's Birth
On January 20, 1930, Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr., who later became known as Buzz Aldrin, was born. He would later become an astronaut, engineer, and fighter pilot.
1946: Attended Severn School
In 1946, Aldrin attended Severn School, a preparatory school for the United States Naval Academy, but ultimately chose a different path.
1947: Air Force Becomes a Separate Service
In 1947, the United States Air Force became a separate service while Aldrin was at West Point.
1950: Trip to Japan and the Philippines
In 1950, Aldrin traveled 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 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.
December 1952: Assignment to 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
In December 1952, Aldrin was assigned to the 16th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, which was part of the 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, based in Suwon Air Base, Korea, during the Korean War.
May 14, 1953: First MiG-15 Shot Down
On May 14, 1953, Aldrin shot down his first MiG-15 fighter while flying south of the Yalu River during the Korean War.
June 4, 1953: Second Aerial Victory
On June 4, 1953, Aldrin achieved his second aerial victory by shooting down another MiG during an attack on an airbase in North Korea.
June 8, 1953: Life Magazine Feature
On June 8, 1953, Life magazine featured gun camera footage taken by Aldrin of a pilot ejecting from his damaged aircraft.
December 1953: End of Korean Tour
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 Assignment
In December 1954, Aldrin became an aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Don Z. Zimmerman at the United States Air Force Academy.
December 29, 1954: Aldrin's First Marriage to Joan Archer
On December 29, 1954, Aldrin married Joan Archer, marking his first marriage.
1955: Graduation from Squadron Officer School
In 1955, Aldrin graduated from the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.
1956: F-100 Super Sabre Flight Commander
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.
1959: F-100 Super Sabre Flight Commander
Until 1959, Aldrin flew F-100 Super Sabres equipped with nuclear weapons as a flight commander in West Germany.
1962: Initial Application to Astronaut Corps Rejected
In 1962, Aldrin initially applied to join the astronaut corps but was rejected because he was not a test pilot.
January 1963: Earned Sc.D. Degree
In January 1963, Aldrin earned a Sc.D. degree in astronautics from MIT.
May 15, 1963: NASA Announced Another Round of Selections
On May 15, 1963, NASA announced another round of selections for astronauts, this time requiring either test pilot experience or 1,000 hours of flying time in jet aircraft.
October 18, 1963: Selection as NASA Astronaut
On October 18, 1963, Aldrin was selected as one of the fourteen members of NASA's Astronaut Group 3, making him the first astronaut with a doctoral degree.
1964: Charles Duke Master's Degree at MIT
In 1964, Charles Duke wrote his master's degree at MIT under the supervision of Laurence R. Young.
February 28, 1966: Gemini 9 Crew Deaths
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 one mission to backup for Gemini 9.
June 17, 1966: Designated Prime Crew for Gemini 12
On June 17, 1966, Aldrin and Lovell were designated the prime crew for Gemini 12.
November 11, 1966: Launch of Gemini 12
On November 11, 1966, Gemini 12 was launched from Cape Canaveral. Aldrin used a sextant and rendezvous charts he helped create to dock with the target vehicle.
November 12, 1966: Solar Eclipse Viewing
On November 12, 1966, Aldrin and Lovell viewed and photographed the solar eclipse over South America from the Gemini 12 spacecraft windows.
1966: First Space Flight on Gemini 12
In 1966, Aldrin had his first space flight on Gemini 12, where he spent over five hours on extravehicular activity.
1966: Gemini 12 mission
In 1966, Aldrin was the pilot of the Gemini 12 mission. During this mission, he conducted three spacewalks.
1966: NASA Exceptional Service Medal
In 1966, during a ceremony marking the end of the Gemini program, Buzz Aldrin was awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal by President Johnson.
November 20, 1967: Assigned to Apollo 9 Backup Crew
On November 20, 1967, Lovell and Aldrin were assigned to an Apollo crew with Neil Armstrong as commander. They were announced as the backup crew of Apollo 9.
July 16, 1969: Apollo 11 Launch
On July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, watched by an estimated one million spectators. The launch was televised live to millions of viewers and listeners worldwide. The Saturn V rocket propelled Apollo 11 into Earth orbit, and later onto a trajectory toward the Moon.
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 became the first person to hold a religious ceremony on the Moon by privately taking communion.
September 16, 1969: Address to Congress
On September 16, 1969, Buzz Aldrin and the other Apollo 11 astronauts addressed a joint session of Congress to thank them for their past support and to encourage continued funding for the space program.
1969: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 1969, Aldrin was accorded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
1969: Apollo 11 mission
In 1969, Aldrin was the Lunar Module Eagle pilot on the Apollo 11 mission. He became the second person to walk on the Moon.
1969: Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
In 1969, Buzz Aldrin was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) for his role as lunar module pilot on Apollo 11.
1969: Apollo 11 Crew Awarded Collier Trophy and General Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy
In 1969, the Apollo 11 crew received the Collier Trophy and the General Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy for their achievements in spaceflight.
October 1970: Tour of NASA Space Centers
In October 1970, after the Apollo 11 mission, Buzz Aldrin joined Soviet cosmonauts Andriyan Nikolayev and Vitaly Sevastyanov on a tour of the NASA space centers.
1970: NASA Distinguished Service Medal
In 1970, Buzz Aldrin was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal for the Apollo 11 mission.
1970: Apollo 11 Crew Awarded Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy, Harmon Trophy, and Hubbard Medal
In 1970, the Apollo 11 crew was awarded the Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy, the Harmon Trophy, and the Hubbard Medal, recognizing their significant contributions to space exploration and aviation.
July 1, 1971: Return to the Air Force
On July 1, 1971, with the Apollo program coming to an end and with limited prospects at NASA, Buzz Aldrin, then a colonel, decided to return to the Air Force.
1971: Leaving NASA
After leaving NASA in 1971, Aldrin became Commandant of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.
1971: Apollo 11 Crew Conferred the Harmon Trophy
In 1971, Vice President Spiro Agnew conferred the international Harmon Trophy for aviators to the Apollo 11 crew, celebrating their accomplishments in aviation and space travel.
February 1972: USAF Test Pilot School Renamed
In February 1972, General George S. Brown informed Buzz Aldrin that the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School was being renamed the USAF Test Pilot School, with astronaut training being dropped.
March 1, 1972: Retirement from the Air Force
On March 1, 1972, Buzz Aldrin retired from the Air Force as a colonel after 21 years of service. His father and General Jimmy Doolittle attended the retirement ceremony.
1972: Retirement from the Air Force
In 1972, Aldrin retired from the Air Force after 21 years of service.
1972: Oak Leaf Cluster Award
In 1972, Buzz Aldrin was awarded an oak leaf cluster in lieu of a second DSM for his role in both the Korean War and in the space program.
December 28, 1974: Death of Aldrin's Father
On December 28, 1974, Buzz Aldrin's father died from complications following a heart attack.
1974: Divorce Filing from Joan Archer
In 1974, Aldrin and Joan Archer filed for divorce, ending their marriage.
December 31, 1975: Aldrin's Second Marriage to Beverly Van Zile
On December 31, 1975, Aldrin married Beverly Van Zile, marking his second marriage.
1976: "Return to Earth" TV Movie
In 1976, the TV movie version of Buzz Aldrin's autobiography "Return to Earth" was released. The movie featured a character based on a woman with whom Aldrin had an affair.
October 1978: Quitting Drinking for Good
In October 1978, after struggling with alcoholism, Buzz Aldrin quit drinking for good. He later attempted to help others with drinking problems.
1978: Aldrin Became a Teetotaler
Aldrin has been a teetotaler since 1978.
1978: Divorce from Beverly Van Zile
In 1978, Aldrin divorced Beverly Van Zile, ending their marriage.
1981: Death of William Holden
In 1981, Buzz Aldrin was saddened by the alcohol-related death of actor William Holden, whom Aldrin had tried to help with his drinking problems.
1982: Induction into International Space Hall of Fame
In 1982, Buzz Aldrin was one of ten Gemini astronauts inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame.
1985: Joined University of North Dakota
In 1985, Buzz Aldrin joined the University of North Dakota (UND)'s College of Aerospace Sciences and helped develop UND's Space Studies program.
1985: Proposed Aldrin Cycler
In 1985, Buzz Aldrin proposed a special spacecraft trajectory known as the Aldrin cycler, which offered reduced cost of repeated travel to Mars.
1985: Aldrin Resided 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's Third Marriage to Lois Driggs Cannon
On February 14, 1988, Aldrin married Lois Driggs Cannon, marking his third marriage.
1988: Legal Name Change to Buzz
In 1988, Edwin Eugene Aldrin Jr. legally changed his first name to Buzz.
1993: Induction into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
In 1993, Buzz Aldrin was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
1996: Founded Starcraft Boosters, Inc.
In 1996, Buzz Aldrin founded Starcraft Boosters, Inc. (SBI) to design reusable rocket launchers.
1998: Travel to the North Pole
In 1998, Buzz Aldrin traveled to the North Pole.
1999: Smithsonian Institution's Langley Gold Medal
In 1999, while celebrating the 30th anniversary of the lunar landing, the Apollo 11 crew was presented with the Smithsonian Institution's Langley Gold Medal for aviation by Vice President Al Gore.
2000: Induction into National Aviation Hall of Fame
In 2000, Buzz Aldrin was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
2001: Aldrin Appointed to Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry
In 2001, Aldrin was appointed by President George W. Bush to the Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry.
September 9, 2002: Confrontation with Conspiracy Theorist
On September 9, 2002, Buzz Aldrin was confronted by Moon landing conspiracy theorist Bart Sibrel, who demanded Aldrin swear on a Bible that the Moon landings were not faked. Aldrin punched Sibrel in the jaw and no charges were pressed against Aldrin.
December 2003: Criticism of NASA's Objectives
In December 2003, Buzz Aldrin published an opinion piece in The New York Times criticizing NASA's objectives and the goal of sending astronauts back to the Moon.
2003: Aldrin Receives Humanitarian Award from Variety, the Children's Charity
In 2003, Aldrin received the Humanitarian Award from Variety, the Children's Charity for his understanding, empathy, and devotion to mankind.
2004: Aldrin Appeared at a Rally for George W. Bush
In 2004, Aldrin appeared at a rally for George W. Bush.
2005: UFO Documentary Controversy
In 2005, Buzz Aldrin was interviewed for a Science Channel documentary where he mentioned the Apollo 11 crew had seen an unidentified flying object (UFO). The documentary makers omitted the crew's conclusion that it was likely a detached spacecraft panel.
2006: Aldrin Awarded General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award
In 2006, Aldrin was awarded the Space Foundation's General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award, their highest honor.
August 15, 2007: Appearance on The Howard Stern Show
On August 15, 2007, Buzz Aldrin appeared on The Howard Stern Show and clarified that there was no sighting of anything deemed extraterrestrial during the Apollo 11 mission and that the object was likely a detached panel.
2007: Aldrin Confirmed Face-Lift
In 2007, Aldrin confirmed to Time magazine that he had recently had a face-lift, joking about the effects of g-forces in space.
2008: Aldrin Campaigned for Paul Rancatore
In 2008, Aldrin campaigned for Paul Rancatore in Florida.
2008: Induction into New Jersey Hall of Fame
In 2008, Buzz Aldrin was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
2009: Magnificent Desolation Autobiography
In 2009, Aldrin's autobiography, Magnificent Desolation, was published, recounting his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism after leaving NASA.
2009: Publication of "Magnificent Desolation"
In 2009, Buzz Aldrin's autobiography, "Magnificent Desolation," was published, further detailing his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism in the years after leaving NASA.
2011: New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal
In 2011, the Apollo 11 crew was awarded the New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal in the Capitol Rotunda.
December 2012: Divorce Finalized from Lois Driggs Cannon
In December 2012, Aldrin's divorce from Lois Driggs Cannon was finalized, including a financial settlement.
2012: Aldrin on Neil Armstrong's Death
Following the 2012 death of his Apollo 11 colleague Neil Armstrong, Aldrin expressed his deep sadness.
2012: Death of Neil Armstrong
In 2012, Neil Armstrong, the commander of the Apollo 11 mission, passed away.
June 2013: Support for Human Mission to Mars
In June 2013, Buzz Aldrin published an opinion piece in The New York Times supporting a human mission to Mars and suggesting the Moon should be a point of departure for Mars.
2014: Aldrin Campaigned for Mead Treadwell
In 2014, Aldrin campaigned for Mead Treadwell in Alaska.
2014: Aldrin Sold Westwood Condominium
In 2014, Aldrin sold his Westwood condominium after his third divorce in 2012.
2015: Aldrin Named Chancellor of the International Space University
In 2015, Aldrin was named as the Chancellor of the International Space University.
December 2016: Illness at South Pole
In December 2016, Buzz Aldrin, while visiting the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica, fell ill and was evacuated to McMurdo Station and then to Christchurch, New Zealand. At 86 years old, Aldrin's visit made him the oldest person to reach the South Pole.
2016: Buzz Aldrin Middle School Named in Montclair, New Jersey
In 2016, Aldrin's hometown middle school in Montclair, New Jersey, was renamed Buzz Aldrin Middle School in his honor.
2018: Legal Dispute with Children and Former Business Manager
In 2018, Aldrin became involved in a legal dispute with his children and former business manager over concerns about his mental state and finances.
2018: Aldrin Campaigned for Dan Crenshaw
In 2018, Aldrin campaigned for Dan Crenshaw in Texas.
March 2019: Legal Dispute Resolved
In March 2019, the legal dispute involving Aldrin, his children, and former business manager was resolved when his children withdrew their petition and Aldrin dropped the lawsuit.
July 20, 2019: 50th Anniversary of Moon Landing
Aldrin expressed his hope that on July 20, 2019, he, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins would be together to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of their moon landing.
2019: Aldrin Attended State of the Union Address
In 2019, Aldrin appeared at the State of the Union Address as a guest of President Donald Trump.
2019: Aldrin Awarded Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication
In 2019, Aldrin was awarded the Starmus Festival's Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication for Lifetime Achievement.
2021: Death of Michael Collins
In 2021, Michael Collins, the pilot of the Apollo 11 mission, passed away.
2022: Aldrin's Family in 2022
As of 2022, Aldrin had one grandson, Jeffrey Schuss, born to his daughter Janice, and three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.
January 20, 2023: Aldrin Marries Anca Faur
On January 20, 2023, his 93rd birthday, Aldrin announced his fourth marriage to Anca Faur.
May 5, 2023: Aldrin Receives Honorary Promotion to Brigadier General
On May 5, 2023, Aldrin received an honorary promotion to the rank of brigadier general in the United States Air Force, and was also made an honorary Space Force guardian.
2024: Aldrin Endorsed Donald Trump in 2024 Presidential Election
In the 2024 Presidential Election, Aldrin endorsed Donald Trump, citing Trump's promotion of space exploration policy.
