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 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.
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.
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.
May 14, 1953: First Aerial Victory
On May 14, 1953, Buzz 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, Buzz Aldrin achieved his second aerial victory, shooting down another MiG during an attack on an airbase in North Korea. Aldrin saw the MiG's canopy open and the pilot eject, although Aldrin was uncertain whether there was sufficient time for a parachute to open.
June 8, 1953: Gun Camera Footage in Life Magazine
The June 8, 1953, issue of Life magazine featured gun camera footage taken by Aldrin of a pilot ejecting from his damaged aircraft.
December 1953: End of Korean War Tour
In December 1953, Aldrin's year-long tour in the Korean War ended, after which he was assigned as an aerial gunnery instructor at Nellis Air Force Base.
December 1954: Aide-de-Camp
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: 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.
1956: Flew F-100 Super Sabres
From 1956 to 1959, Aldrin flew F-100 Super Sabres equipped with nuclear weapons as a flight commander in West Germany.
1959: Flew F-100 Super Sabres
From 1956 to 1959, 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 (MIT) to earn a master's degree through the Air Force Institute of Technology.
1962: Rejected by NASA
In 1962, Aldrin initially applied to join the astronaut corps when NASA's Astronaut Group 2 was selected, but his application was rejected due to not being a test pilot.
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.
May 15, 1963: NASA Announced Selections
On May 15, 1963, NASA announced another round of selections. The requirements were 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's selection as one of fourteen members of NASA's Astronaut Group 3 was announced, making him the first astronaut with a doctoral degree.
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.
June 17, 1966: Designated Prime Crew for Gemini 12
On June 17, 1966, Aldrin and Lovell were designated as the prime crew for Gemini 12.
November 11, 1966: Launch of Gemini 12
On November 11, 1966, Gemini 12 was launched from Cape Canaveral. Radar contact deteriorated, forcing a manual rendezvous guided by Aldrin's sextant skills.
November 12, 1966: Solar Eclipse
On November 12, 1966, Aldrin and Lovell viewed and photographed the solar eclipse over South America through the Gemini 12 spacecraft windows after the Agena's main engine was deemed too risky to fire.
1966: NASA Exceptional Service Medal
During a 1966 ceremony marking the end of the Gemini program, Aldrin was awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal by President Johnson at LBJ Ranch.
1966: First Space Flight
In 1966, Buzz Aldrin had his first space flight on Gemini 12, during which he spent over five hours on extravehicular activity.
November 20, 1967: Assignment to Apollo 9 backup crew announced
On November 20, 1967, Lovell and Aldrin were assigned as the backup crew for Apollo 9, with Neil Armstrong as commander, Lovell as command module pilot (CMP), and Aldrin as lunar module pilot (LMP).
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 16, 1969: Launch of Apollo 11
On July 16, 1969, Apollo 11, propelled by a Saturn V rocket, launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with an estimated one million spectators and millions more watching on television and listening to radio broadcasts. The spacecraft entered Earth orbit twelve minutes after liftoff and, after one and a half orbits, began its trajectory toward the Moon.
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.
September 16, 1969: Astronauts address Congress
On September 16, 1969, the Apollo 11 astronauts addressed a joint session of Congress to thank them for their support and urge continued funding for space exploration.
November 5, 1969: Return to the US
On November 5, 1969, the Apollo 11 crew returned to the US after a 38-day world tour that took them to 22 foreign countries.
1969: Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 1969, Aldrin was accorded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
1969: Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
In 1969, 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. In a separate ceremony the National Aeronautic Association president awarded a duplicate trophy to Collins and Aldrin. The crew was also awarded the 1969 General Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy.
October 1970: Tour of NASA space centers
In October 1970, Aldrin joined Soviet cosmonauts Andriyan Nikolayev and Vitaly Sevastyanov on their tour of the NASA space centers.
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.
1970: NASA Distinguished Service Medal
In 1970, Aldrin was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal for the Apollo 11 mission.
1970: Apollo 11 Crew Wins Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy, Harmon Trophy, Hubbard Medal and Iven C. Kincheloe award
In 1970, the Apollo 11 crew received multiple awards. They won the Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy from the National Space Club, the international Harmon Trophy conferred to them by Vice President Spiro Agnew in 1971, and the Hubbard Medal of the National Geographic Society presented by Spiro Agnew. The Apollo 11 team were also co-winners of the Iven C. Kincheloe award from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots along with Darryl Greenamyer. For contributions to the television industry, they were honored with round plaques on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
July 1, 1971: Aldrin returns to the Air Force
With the Apollo program winding down, Aldrin returned to the Air Force on July 1, 1971, after spending 289 hours and 53 minutes in space during his NASA career.
1971: Leaving NASA
In 1971, Aldrin left NASA and became the Commandant of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.
1971: Apollo 11 Crew Receives Harmon Trophy
In 1971, Vice President Spiro Agnew conferred the international Harmon Trophy to the Apollo 11 crew.
February 1972: Visit from General Brown
In February 1972, General George S. Brown visited Edwards and informed Aldrin that the USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School was being renamed, and astronaut training was being dropped.
March 1, 1972: Aldrin retires from the Air Force
On March 1, 1972, Aldrin retired from the Air Force as a colonel after 21 years of service, with his father and General Jimmy Doolittle in attendance.
1972: Retirement from the Air Force
In 1972, Aldrin retired from the Air Force after 21 years of service.
1972: Oak Leaf Cluster and Legion of Merit
In 1972, Aldrin was awarded an oak leaf cluster in lieu of a second DSM for his role in the Korean War and the space program, and the Legion of Merit for his role in the Gemini and Apollo programs.
1973: Return to Earth Published
In 1973, Aldrin's autobiography, Return to Earth, was published, recounting his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism.
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.
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 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.
1982: Inducted into International Space Hall of Fame
In 1982, Aldrin was one of ten Gemini astronauts inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame.
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 cycler trajectory proposed
In 1985, Aldrin proposed a special spacecraft trajectory known as the Aldrin cycler, which offers reduced cost of repeated travel to Mars.
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".
1993: Inducted into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
In 1993, Aldrin was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
1996: Starcraft Boosters, Inc. founded
In 1996, Aldrin founded Starcraft Boosters, Inc. (SBI) to design reusable rocket launchers.
1999: Apollo 11 Crew Receives Smithsonian Institution's Langley Gold Medal
In 1999, during the 30th anniversary celebration of the lunar landing, the Apollo 11 crew received the Smithsonian Institution's Langley Gold Medal for aviation, presented by Vice President Al Gore. Following the ceremony, the crew presented President Bill Clinton with an encased Moon rock at the White House.
2000: Inducted into National Aviation Hall of Fame
In 2000, 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 serve on the Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry.
September 9, 2002: Aldrin punches conspiracy theorist
On September 9, 2002, Aldrin punched Moon landing conspiracy theorist Bart Sibrel in the jaw after Sibrel accosted him, demanded he swear on a Bible that the Moon landings weren't faked, and called him "a coward, a liar, and a thief."
December 2003: Criticism of NASA objectives
In December 2003, Aldrin criticized NASA's objectives in The New York Times, expressing concern about the development of a spacecraft with limited astronaut and cargo capacity and questioning the goal of returning to the Moon.
2003: Aldrin Receives Humanitarian Award from Variety, the Children's Charity
In 2003, Aldrin was honored with the Humanitarian Award from Variety, the Children's Charity, in recognition of his exceptional understanding, empathy, and devotion to mankind.
2004: Aldrin Appears at Rally for George W. Bush
In 2004, Aldrin appeared at a rally supporting George W. Bush.
2005: UFO comments in documentary
In 2005, during an interview for a Science Channel documentary titled First on the Moon: The Untold Story, Aldrin mentioned that the Apollo 11 crew had seen an unidentified flying object (UFO), later clarified to be a detached panel from the Saturn V rocket.
2006: Aldrin Receives General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award
In 2006, Aldrin was awarded the General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award, the Space Foundation's highest honor.
August 15, 2007: Howard Stern Show interview
On August 15, 2007, Aldrin appeared on The Howard Stern Show and clarified that there was no UFO sighting during the Apollo 11 mission, and the object they saw was likely a detached panel from the Saturn V rocket. He stated his words had been taken out of context.
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.
2008: Inducted into New Jersey Hall of Fame
In 2008, Aldrin was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
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.
2009: Magnificent Desolation Published
In 2009, Aldrin's autobiography, Magnificent Desolation, was published, recounting his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism.
2009: Aldrin reflects on communion
In his 2009 book, Aldrin reflected on his communion celebration, considering that it was a Christian sacrament, and the astronauts came to the moon in the name of all mankind.
2011: Apollo 11 Crew Awarded New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal
In 2011, the Apollo 11 crew was awarded the New Frontier Congressional Gold Medal in the Capitol Rotunda. During the ceremony, NASA administrator Charles Bolden acknowledged the crew's trailblazing impact on space exploration.
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.
June 2013: Support for Mars mission
In a June 2013 opinion piece in The New York Times, Aldrin supported a human mission to Mars, viewing the Moon as a point of departure for establishing a two-planet species.
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.
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: Aldrin Campaigns for Dan Crenshaw in Texas
In 2018, Aldrin campaigned for Dan Crenshaw in Texas.
2018: Legal Dispute with Children and Former Business Manager
In 2018, Aldrin was involved in a legal dispute with his children, Andrew and Janice, and former business manager, Christina Korp, concerning claims of mental impairment and financial exploitation.
March 2019: Children Withdraw Petition and Aldrin Drops Lawsuit
In March 2019, Aldrin's children withdrew their petition for legal guardianship, and Aldrin dropped his lawsuit against his children and former business manager, resolving the legal dispute.
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.
2019: Aldrin Awarded Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication
In 2019, Aldrin received the Starmus Festival's Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication for Lifetime Achievement.
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.
May 5, 2023: Aldrin Receives Honorary Promotion to Brigadier General
On May 5, 2023, Aldrin was granted an honorary promotion to the rank of brigadier general in the United States Air Force, in addition to being named an honorary Space Force guardian.
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.
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