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Subscribe to RSSThe mortal remains of the first man to walk on the moon, Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong, are to be buried at sea in accordance with his wish. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
The mortal remains of the first man to walk on the moon, Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong, are to be buried at sea in accordance with his wish — but the details "are still being worked out," family spokesman Rick Miller says.
The arrangement resonates eerily with the plans that would have been put into effect if Armstrong and his crewmate, Buzz Aldrin, had perished during their history-making moon landing 43 years ago.
After a somber announcement from President Richard Nixon that the "men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace," a member of the clergy would have gone ahead with the ceremonies for a burial at sea, commending the men's souls to "the deepest of the deep" and concluding with the Lord's Prayer. Fortunately, Apollo 11 was successful on July 20, 1969, bringing a level of fame to Armstrong and his "one small step" that has continued to this day.
Armstrong died on Aug. 25 at the age of 82, due to complications from heart surgery earlier in the month. A private service for family and friends was conducted last week in Cincinnati, and a public memorial service has been set for 10 a.m. ET on Sept. 13 at the Washington National Cathedral in the nation's capital. Hundreds of VIPs, family members and other mourners are expected to turn out for next week's memorial, with live video coverage streamed by NASA and the cathedral.
The late moonwalker was a Navy veteran with combat flying experience in the Korean War, and could have been buried with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery — as Apollo 12 commander Pete Conrad, also a Navy vet, was in 1999. Among the other astronauts buried at Arlington are Apollo 15's Jim Irwin and some of the victims of the Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia tragedies.
See images from the career of astronaut and American hero Neil Armstrong.
But an Arlington burial was not what Armstrong wanted. "It was his wish" that the burial take place instead at sea, Miller told me today. Some of the details for the arrangements — "certainly the when and how, if not the where" — should be worked out by the time next week's public memorial service takes place, he said.
The U.S. Navy has well-established procedures for the sea burials of veterans and others who are eligible for the service. Arranging the details of the ceremony can take weeks. Several ports of embarkation are offered, in Virginia, Florida, California, Washington state and Hawaii. The traditions include the formation of an honor platoon, memorial readings, three volleys from a firing party, and the playing of taps. The casket or urn containing the remains may be slipped into sea, or ashes may be scattered by the officer in charge.
After Armstrong's death, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation calling for U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of the astronaut's interment — but that was widely interpreted as applying to the private memorial service on Aug. 31. If there's any update on additional tributes to Armstrong's life and legacy, we'll pass them along. Keep a watch on NeilArmstrongInfo.com for statements from the family.
More about Neil Armstrong:
- Here's how to honor Neil Armstrong
- Lunar pioneers and VIPs pay tribute to moonwalker
- PhotoBlog: Friends, family and nation pay respects
- Public farewell to Neil Armstrong set for Sept. 13
- Neil Armstrong, first to walk on moon, dies at age 82
- Armstrong family request: Wink at the moon
- President and VIPs pay tribute to Neil Armstrong
- Internet responds to first moonwalker's death
- Debunking nine myths about Neil Armstrong
- Timeline: Glory Days on the Final Frontier
- What we didn't know about the moonwalk
- Neil Armstrong would still choose to go to the moon
Alan Boyle is NBCNews.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter and adding the Cosmic Log page to your Google+ presence. To keep up with Cosmic Log as well as NBCNews.com's other stories about science and space, sign up for the Tech & Science newsletter, delivered to your email in-box every weekday. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the dwarf planet and the search for new worlds.
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Not sure I am getting where the eeire part is coming in. He was in the Navy and he chose to be buried at sea.
I'm sure that his wish was to be buried at sea, being a career Navy man. That's great for him.
If it was me, my personal choice would have been to be sent into space like the character Mr. Spock was in one of the Star Trek movies. I remember thinking that was the coolest thing for a space explorer to be sent off in a capsule on the final voyage for eternity. But that's just me.
I'm glad he is getting exactly what he always wanted. I'm sure he is smiling down on us right now.
God bless you Neil Armstrong. A true American Hero for all time.
I understand that he may have wanted a burial at sea, however, Armstrong was a true American HERO and as such I would think that a public memorial graced by an Apollo capsule would be more fitting. I, for one, would make a special journey to such a place to pay tribute to him. .Why are only politicians the only ones given such a place of tribute??
I flew my flag at half mast all week for him. Shame on our Prez. that gave him no such National honor...SHAME!!!!
He was the first human to walk on another world. I wish he had wanted to be buried at Arlington, so that future generations could have stood near his remains and honored him, and say "Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon is buried here, right here." There is only one "first" man to walk on the moon.
I would personally rather be buried at sea, sans the embalming fluid or fire.
Fish got to eat too.
A memorial for this hero is in order, but I don't really think his physical remains are required.
After all, every one of us reaches our end, and all that really remains is memories and legacy.
Border Joe: I emailed Gov Rick Scott (R) of FLorida and asked why the Flag on the State Capitol was at full staff. An assistant replied it was "customary" to wait on the Pres. to tell them to go to half staff. So Florida did not dip it's Flag to the honor of a Great American Hero either ! And the Gov sat there flippin his lips with his finger waitin for somebody to tell him the right thing to do. Strange place, America.
@border joe
Please put your political guns back in their holsters. I agree with you that Mr. Armstrong was a true national hero, but I also know that he, himself, did not want that spotlight shone on him. He did not sign autographs, he did not partake of the many "hero worship" opportunitites available to him. He always felt that he was just doing his job. He himself did not want a public memorial and the President knows this.
In keeping the tributes respectable but not over the top, the President is honoring Neil Armstrong and those loved ones he leaves behind.
A most respectful end for a man who walked the most rarified soil of us all....... God's speed Neil Armstrong your contribution to our country and the world will NEVER be forgot..... your country asked you to do the impossible..... you stood the test..... and you were victorious...... thank-you for making this country proud .......Rest well Mr Armstrong..... I bid you a most humble farewell'''''' my prayers will be with you always!!!!!!
Well, as much as I hate to admit it, I just can't feel that Neil is one of my heroes any longer. What a colossally selfish and egotistical choice it was to be buried at sea, instead of being laid to rest in an honorable place so that generations to come would have a specific location to visit. A mere cenotaph just won't ever cut it.
I get that he wanted to be a "private" man, but that fantasy ended the moment the Eagle touched down. He ceased to be a private individual, and became so much more, whether he liked it or not. He owed a debt to those of us who were watching that step, and to future generations, whether he wanted to owe it or not.
Don't say "it was his right to do that", and don't give me any bollocks about his right to privacy. He gave up those rights the very instant he ingressed Columbia on the pad. He gave up those rights the very second he touched boot to regolith. He became more than just Neil at that second. Whether he wanted to or not. Whether he liked it or not. Period. There is no way around it. If he didn't want to accept that reality, he should have let someone else go on the flight. Jim Lovell or Don Lind would have done just fine.
How disrespectful to his legacy and accomplishments that he was arrogant and selfish enough to forever deny humanity any opportunity to revere him. I'm totally disgusted and angry over this stupid, selfish, egotistical choice. And everyone else should be as well.
As I said in the item, the eerie part for me is that if he had died on the moon, he would have essentially received a "burial at sea" ceremony as a farewell. It gave me shivers, but maybe that's just me. Maybe putting it in the headline is a bit much, though. I'll soften that angle in the headline.
No, I liked that you added Nixons' scripted alternative ending. I found that very interesting when it was originally revealed. I had never thought of "Sea of Tranquility" as an effective sea burial. But we're glad Nixon didn't have to go down that path.
RIP Mr. Armstrong - As long as mankind exists, you will be remembered.
If I were one of the first humans to walk on the moon I would insist on a burial in space. Hell, if I had any clout I would demand that for myself without having been in space!
A much cooler disposal of remains to become stardust vs fish food.
Oh well, RIP to a great EARTHLING!
@Lolly1192 - That mentality is completely alien to who Neil Armstrong was. Neil was an incredibly modest and humble human being.
I get your point. I think maybe that was his thought too, and as close as he could get to the point. Good story!
@Lolly..Once a Navy man always a Navy man. He wasn't just an astronaut. Mr. Armstrong was a true American hero. RIP
Neil Armstrong:
An American ICON who will live in all hearts who witnessed that day, walking on the Moon. History will write him up as an equal to Albert Einstein, Christopher Columbus, Steve Jobs, a Bill Gates, All Explorers in the World, Madam Curie, The Wright Brothers, Jonas Salk (polio vaccine); and others who were in other ways explorers, venturing to defy the unknown.
Goodbye Neil. You were a real gentleman; an Inspiration to all who realized what a feat this was.
"One Small Step for Man", One Giant Leap for Mankind"! Amazing!
Your article was just fine. RIP Mr. Armstrong,you will be missed.
Alan, though much of the news we have seen from the MSM in the past reminds me of the junk mail we see in our mail boxes(and should be treated as such), this is one out of all of those that stands out as being called good journalism. I just wish a few other journalists would learn a little something from you about what is news worthy, and what isn't.
I believe that the reason he wanted to be buried at sea like the scenario of them dying on the moon was because his heart was still on the moon. It seems verry appropriate to me.
Well, being as the earth is mostly water anyway,as he was looking down from the moon and saw a lot of sea,it does seem fitting for him to want to be [buried at sea] he shall see it all.
@Lolly1192
We were all stardust once and we will all be stardust again regardless of where we rest in the meantime.
This man is my childhood hero! I was 8 when Apollo 11 landed and have been an avid space enthusiast since. R.I.P. Neil Armstrong, you are the epitome of a great American!
I, too, remember watching the moon landing on our old black and white TV in Texas. This was a stunning accomplishment and had my little heart thumping. Neil Armstrong was a true pioneer and throughout his life continued to be a man of courage, intelligence and character. May he forever RIP.
He and the rest of the Astronauts from that era were great role models when I was a child. Today I teach my children to look up to our military heros who have made sacrifices.
I was just a little kid when Armstrong walked on the moon, but I will never forget. It was the first time I experienced feeling being proud of my country and knew the true meaning of the word "cool."
As a kid I grew up admiring and idolizing our astronauts and the people who built the vehicles that sent them into space. They graced a lot of headlines and magazine covers in my day. We were taught about them in our schools. They were my rock stars. They still are. Our heroes reached for the heavens and did the impossible.
Today's kids open a magazine and read about "Snookies" baby. And they think that's important news. How far we have fallen.
He's Left his Footprints on the Moon! Don't Matter WHAT Ya do HERE! Its What HE WANTED!
wow, thats powerful isn't it footprints on the moon, who else can say that. great post thx
....sadly, he never left his footprints there, either. Do your research, sheeple. He NEVER set foot on the moon!!
cempmm, yes, sadly, just like you don't exist either.
@cempmm
The Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs represented (among many things) a time where science came to the forefront of the American conciousness.
It's a shame for you and so disrespectful to those who dedicated and gave their lives for the cause of going to the moon to make such an ignorant and uneducated statement.
It's 2012 and earth based telescopes are able to see the various lunar landing sites, the landers, the rovers, and the tracks left by the astronauts.
The only reason for someone to make such igonrant statements is because they are choosing ignornace over intelligence, which ...sadly is you.
He's What Mankind and Religion TRULY believe in! HOPE!
Great article Alan. Thanks.
While a little eerie in light of the "worst case" plans for Apollo 11 that fortunately did not happen, it also brings us in an elegant full circle to the best case scenario that did happen. Six Apollo crews did walk on the Moon, and all returned safely to Earth. Rather than being an empty ceremony to mourn a lost Apollo 11 crew, we are celebrating the life of the first man to walk on the Moon, who returned to Earth and continued to live his life on his terms.
RIP Mr. Armstrong. Thank you for your service to our country and thank you for inspiring all of us space nuts
@Kevin
My hero too! I was 9 and sitting in my Grandma's living room in Cairns, Australia watching on Channel 5A (We had the direct feed from the Parks Radio Telescope!!) He and his Apollo 11 crew were an inspiration to us all.
You lucky dog, Mark,Cocoa,FL! I recently saw what I think was a second gen. copy of what Oz saw live and it was STUNNING! Crystal clear and plenty of contrast - not our blurry mess as seen here in USA. If only the Oz TV engineers had taped it directly (they did not (sigh...))
If he is cremated, and if possible, would love for part of his ashes to be sent to the moon, where he and his crewmates performed such an incredible feat. His family willing, of course.
I hope he meant that he wanted his ashes to be spread at sea and not that he wanted to be buried at sea!
What is so wrong about being buried at sea?
I hope it's his ashes also.
The story wasn't creepy to me until it mentioned the part of dropping a casket in the sea. I would certainly hate for a scuba diver or even an un-manned deep sea sub to run across a casket.
When I used to scuba dive I was creeped out diving through a shipwreck. We didn't come across any bodies or anything but the fact that people died in the wreck was eerie.
"I hope he meant that he wanted his ashes to be spread at sea and not that he wanted to be buried at sea!"
Why not? Nothing unusual in that, especially where Navies and Maritime tradition are involved.
When the Glomar Challenger secretly recovered a portion of a long-lost Russian submarine, they found some human remains aboard. Knowing that one day (just not as soon as anyone expected at the time) this project would become known, the remains were re-buried at sea, with precisely the same procedure and honors that the Soviet Navy uses themselves. They made a point of filming the ceremony, so there would be no question that the remains were treated with respect. A copy was turned over to the Soviet government after the project's cover was blown. It can easily be found on YouTube.
Those familiar with Star Trek II, The Wrath of Khan, will recognize the burial ceremony of Spock as simply the space-going version of a burial at sea. (And sooner or later something like it will happen, whether optional, or just plain necessary for health and safety reasons for the remaining crew...)
On the other hand, Osama Bin Laden was buried at sea (also after traditional Muslim ceremony...I don't know if video exists, but I'd be surprised if it didn't) at an unspecified location, so that others like him could not turn the location into a shrine to rally others around. (As I understand it, Islam does not permit cremation, so it's unlikely that this was anything but a whole-body burial at sea, either)
Sorry ,but where is is buried falls in to the "WHO CARES" file....will move this over along with all the nonsense Pat Summit info
You must be a Kardashian follower dreamers00..
dreamers00, I doubt whether you care about anything, other than yourself and what benefits you. He was a great pioneer, and will be missed very much. RIP Mr. Armstrong.
When I first read the headline I thought "Woah, harsh treament for a guy who may have cheated on some French bike races!"
Sorry Neil, just had to share that!
"Fair Winds and Following Seas" Commander
Well said Sir!!
Remember when we USED to have REAL role models to look up to?
When Hollywood's famous actually talked GOOD about the nation that made them rich and famous?
When our music stars had to actually have TALENT to get, and keep record deals? When ELVIS was a bad influence over the kids?!
Recall the days when fathers were "DADS", and not just an needed step to finish out the welfare process?
Or, when mothers & fathers actually LIVED together?
America's heros truly are dwindling down.
You, Mr. Armstrong, truly were a part of what USED to be America.
May Neptune with with your body, and Christ with your soul.
Dave, I agree with you 100% - Little did I realize how good life was back in 1969 until you compare it to today!
Dave don,t give up hope ,they still exist. Some of our young women & men in the military are true heros. If you get an opportunity ,watch "Taking Chance" about Chance Phelps .You will understand .
Excellent post, Dave.
Wonderful comment, Dave. I too, wish to see those days relived (even though I was born long after they started to dwindle). It is a real shame to see just how apathetic and callous our own nation has become.
To Neil Armstrong, may the seas guard your legacy for all eternity, God willing. Amen. RIP, you earned it.
I don't know about you Rich, but I remember the social character of the late 60's very differently...
I remember the landing in the summer of 1969 like it was a few years ago - was 16 years old and everyone I knew watched the lunar landing. I suspect that 100 years from now, his name will be more recognized that most presidents...what a memorable lifetime event!
Some friends and I were at a drive-in movie, watching The Graduate. We carried a portable black and white TV with us to watch the landing. It ran on batteries and was one of the first ones out. We had a huge crowd standing around the car watching with us.
I'm 61 and I will be always grateful that I have lived in the era of people such as Neil Armstrong.
Even my childhood school work was filled with stories of long ago heroes of this country, many of which I now know had feet of clay all the way up to their necks. But at the time it was thrilling to read of them and feel pride in them. Young people today have no pride in anyone or anything.
We had Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, and they gave us the moon. The astronauts who followed them gave us the stars.
My life has been filled with great memories of wonderful people in all walks of life, from the truly talented stars of stage and screen to statesmen (I remember the death of Winston Churchill) and evil personified (Manson).
Rest in peace, Neil Armstrong, and thank you for the memories and the unforgettable courage.
Screm, that's not entirely true. I grew up during the 90s and was fascinated with many things about this country. Sadly, many do not appreciate the true value of legends until it is far too late.
As Babe Ruth once said in "The Sandlot": "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die."
Neil Armstrong should be buried at sea at the same coordinates as the Apollo 11 splashdown. Fair Winds And Following Seas, Mister Armstrong.
I like that idea!
Brilliant idea. Just wish I could attend and salute!
Amen! Brilliant idea!
This is a true hero. Not to be confused with what many consider heroes today.
Cool post Dax ,you got it right!!!
A very cool story. I'm glad his wishes are being honored. I was 11 years old when they landed on the moon & like many of you, I saw the newscast on the old black & white tv. He really was a true American hero. RIP Mr. Armstrong!
There have always been heros and scoundrels. As opposed to years past it seems that the scoundrels now predominate whereas true heros are few and far between. Then again, it may have always been so. After all, the media feeds public perception. Armstrong was truly a man to be admired. The world needs more like him.
Today too many people are called heros. I believe a hero is someone who is well aware of the dangers of the situation but proceeds anyway for the betterment of one or more other people.
Both of you are wrong. He's no hero. He's a legend. One that will go down in history for all of eternity.
Note: My use of the word "legend" was in a good way. I don't want people to get confused and think I'm decrying all of the great stuff that Neil gave us.
Neil, RIP. May the moon and the sea embrace your soul. And may you live eternally in Heaven with Christ Almighty. Amen.
Wow, that's a hell of a penalty from the Tour de France folks. Oh, wait. Nevermind.
Thanks for bringing a little humor to this.
That wasn't humor, that was stupid.
Buried at sea? Wouldn't it be more appropriate to launch his body into space, since that's where he dedicated his life and work? Although I do understand that that was his wishes.
Burying a person at sea isn't that strange really been done many a time but I hope they at least didn't bury Armstrong anywhere near where Bin Laden was buryed at sea...
He'd still be alive if he hadn't allowed meddlesome doctors operate on him when his percentages of surviving such an operation at his age weren't all that great.
Cozytrash,
Was that really necessary?
I'm sure Mr. Armstrong was well aware of the risks and made the decision on his own.
Pretty much like the rest of his distinguished life...!
Bin Boy was probably buried in a septic tank.
RIP to Niel Armstrong and may your new journey take you up,up, and away to a place more beautiful and peaceful.
To the Idiots bringing up 6sama ben forgoten. He was never burried at sea. He is in a 3 foot by 5 foot cell wishing he was dead.Perhaps someday he will get his wish,someday.
hopefully Bin Laden was buried at pee! and flushed down with the turds :P