Neil Alden Armstrong (August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012)

[a2capt]

Godspeed, and Farewell.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/neil-armstrong-man-moon-dead/story?id=12325140


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/science/space/neil-armstrong-dies-first-man-on-moon.html


NASA Remembers Neil Armstrong

[flyboy53]

Incredible!

[FW]

Neil Armstrong was one of my heros.  He accomplished so much, and did not feel a need to basque in the limelight.  He is truly flying with the angels.

[ColonelJack]

Wow.  Has it been a year since Dr. Armstrong left us?

I remember seeing something concerning the Armstrong cadet achievement ... seems that CAP asked Dr. Armstrong for his permission to create the achievement and name it for him; he replied through his office that he was honored to have the achievement named for him, but notably, the approval letter was not signed.  In place of a signature, there was a note saying that Dr. Armstrong generally did not sign documents any more because folks were selling his autograph. 

He was a very private man who could have handsomely profited from his place in history, but chose not to.  Quite a man.

Jack

[a2capt]

In place of a signature, there was a note saying that Dr. Armstrong generally did not sign documents any more because folks were selling his autograph. 

He could have taken a page from the future.

A rubber stamp with a CAPTCHA like looking bunch of blob all over his signature. Making it "worthless". Or a big juicy red X, something that anyone can do. Thereby obfuscating the ability to say "it's original".

Seriously, though. I certainly can see that. It's not like such a thing would need to be signed anyway. CAP got what they wanted. Acknowledgement and "permission", even though it was not really needed. It goes a long way in making the award, and what it's named after, be that much more meaningful.

[Майор Хаткевич]

This document was returned to CAP unsigned, with only a brief explanation provided by Armstrong's secretary:

"Mr. Armstrong has no objection to the use of his name as requested [but] has concluded he will not provide the signed authorization."

CAP leaders believe Armstrong feared a dishonest person might acquire and then sell the document. Certainly this one-of-a-kind certificate would have great monetary value had Armstrong signed it.