Charles M. Duke Jr.

Charles M. Duke Jr.
Name	Charles M. Duke Jr.
Caption	Duke in 1971
Type	NASA Astronaut
Status	Retired
Nationality	American
Birth name	Charles Moss Duke Jr.
Birth date	3 October 1935
Birth place	Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Occupation	Test pilot, United States Air Force officer
Rank	Brigadier General, USAF
Selection	1966 NASA Group 5
Time	11d 01h 51m
Mission	Apollo 16
Insignia	50px
Awards	NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit

Charles M. Duke Jr. is an American former astronaut, United States Air Force officer, and test pilot. As the Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 16 in 1972, he became the tenth and youngest person to walk on the Moon. Following his NASA career, Duke pursued business and Christian ministry, and remains a prominent speaker on space exploration.

Early life and education

Charles Moss Duke Jr. was born on October 3, 1935, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended Lancaster High School before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Sciences and was commissioned into the United States Air Force. Duke later earned a Master of Science degree in Aeronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1964, having attended the Air Force Institute of Technology program.

NASA career

Selected as part of NASA Astronaut Group 5 in 1966, Duke served in support roles for several pivotal missions. He was a member of the astronaut support crew for Apollo 10 and was the Capsule Communicator for the historic Apollo 11 landing. In 1971, he served as the backup Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 13; his exposure to rubella led to his replacement by Jack Swigert, a factor in the dramatic events of that mission. Duke's primary flight assignment came as the Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 16.

Apollo 16 mission

Launched on April 16, 1972, Apollo 16 was the fifth mission to land humans on the Moon. Duke, along with mission commander John Young, landed the Lunar Module Orion in the Descartes Highlands. Over three moonwalks totaling over 20 hours, Duke and Young conducted extensive geological fieldwork, deploying the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package and using the Lunar Roving Vehicle. Duke's distinctive southern accent was a feature of mission communications, and he famously left a family photograph on the lunar surface. The crew returned to Earth and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 27.

Post-NASA activities

Duke retired from NASA and the United States Air Force with the rank of brigadier general in 1975. He entered the business world in San Antonio, Texas, founding Duke Investments and engaging in various entrepreneurial ventures. A committed Christian, he became an influential lay speaker, sharing his testimony about his faith journey. He co-authored the book "Moonwalker" with his wife and frequently appears at events like the Spacefest convention, discussing his experiences.

Personal life

In 1963, he married Dorothy Meade Claiborne; they have two sons. The family resides in New Braunfels, Texas. His interests include golf, hunting, and fishing. Duke has been open about the profound spiritual impact of viewing Earth from space, which he credits with deepening his Christian faith.

Awards and honors

Duke's decorations include the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the NASA Space Flight Medal. He was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1983 and the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2020, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal as part of the collective honor for all Apollo program astronauts.

Category:American astronauts Category:Apollo astronauts Category:United States Air Force officers Category:People from Charlotte, North Carolina Category:Lunar explorers Category:1935 births Category:Living people