South Carolina astronaut Charlie Duke reflects on Apollo 16 moon landing

GREENVILLE, S.C. — This week marks 57 years since Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon. A South Carolinian followed in his footsteps a few years later — and at 90 years old, Charlie Duke says the memory has not faded.

Duke flew on Apollo 16, the fifth lunar landing mission. In April 1972, the then-36-year-old was launched from Cape Canaveral for an 11-day mission from liftoff to splashdown.

“Well it seems like it was yesterday that we lifted off but it’s been 50 years and the thrill of Apollo and the importance of Apollo in my life seems to be growing not fading,” Duke said.

Duke said his own family was less impressed at the time. “My Dad hardly believed I went to the Moon. My 5 year old and 7 year old didn’t think it was any big deal. The whole neighborhood was going to the moon,” he said.

Armstrong, who made the first lunar landing in 1969, was Duke’s neighbor. Duke said he was focused and ready when his own launch day came. “When we got ready to lift off the thought was more — let’s go. I’m ready. I’ve trained two years for this. Keep countin’,” he said.

Duke is one of only four people still living who have walked on the moon. “There’s only four of us left alive who walked on the moon — Buzz Aldrin, Dave Scott, myself and Jack Schmitt,” he said.

Reflecting on the view from lunar orbit, Duke described seeing Earth rise from the backside of the moon. “It’s a beautiful jewel of blue and white. And the brown of the land just suspended in the blackness of space. And it’s almost emotionally overwhelming,” he said.

Duke remains the youngest person ever to walk on the moon.