Family to Honor Neil Armstrong’s Wishes for Burial at Sea

Kennedy Space Center’s memorial display for Neil Armstrong in the
Apollo/Saturn V building. Photo Credit AmericaSpace Julian Leek.

Apollo astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon when he set his foot down in an area known as the Sea of Tranquility. Now his body will be returned back to the sea here on Earth in a private ceremony. 

Armstrong died Aug. 25 in Ohio after complications from recent heart surgery, he was 82. Today a family spokesman said the family will honor the former Navy fighter pilot, and Apollo 11 commander’s wishes for a burial at sea. No other details on the timing or location of the burial were available and may not be released. The U.S. Navy has strict guide lines on the burial at sea process with San-Diego Calif. and Norfolk Va. the only two U.S. ports to handle the full casket service. However, other U.S.  ports can handle the scattering of ashes.

For the public, a memorial service is scheduled at the Washington National Cathedral located in the nation’s capitol on Thursday, Sept. 13 beginning at 10 a.m. EDT.

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5 Comments

  1. I only regret that I, and my descendants, will not be able to pay respects to this much beloved Hero for the Ages at Arlington, as I have done for our other fallen astronaut heroes. Now when I look up at the moon, it doesn’t feel the same, and probably never will.

  2. I watch him walk on the moon! Fantastic! I wanted to visit his grave to pay my respects but sorry that wont happen! his wishes are what count! Forever remembered RIP
    Neil Armstrong.

  3. True to form for such a private hero and Navy man.

    Alan Shepard had his ashes scattered over water, but also has a permanent memorial in NH. Hopefully Neil’s family sees fit to approve some kind of public monument, unless he expressly forbade it in his will.

    Either way, RIP for one of the last true American heroes.

    • A point very well taken John, hopefully a public monument will be approved. In addition to a donation to the AIAA scholarship fund created in his name, many of us would be honored to donate to an effort to create a public monument.

  4. The best way in my opinion that the US could honor Neil Armstrong would be to continue what he started, and rediscover that spirit of exploration that once made it ‘a great nation’. Everything else, (as honorable and respectful as it is) just falls short.

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