Brigadier
General Charles
Duke, USAF (Ret.)
Astronaut Charles
Duke is one of the 19 astronauts selected by NASA in April 1966. He served as
lunar module pilot of Apollo 16, April 16-27, 1972 and was the 10th of only 12
men to walk on the moon. He was accompanied on the fifth manned lunar mission by
John W. Young (spacecraft commander) and Thomas K. Mattingly II (command module
pilot). Apollo 16 was the first scientific expedition to inspect, survey and
sample materials and surface features in the Descarts region of the rugged lunar
highlands. Duke and Young commenced their lunar surface stay of71 hours and 14
minutes by maneuvering the lunar module Orion to a landing on the rough Cayley
Plains. In three subsequent excursions onto the lunar surface, Duke and Young
logged over 20 hours in extra-vehicular activities. It involved the emplacement
and activation of scientific equipment and experiments, the collection of nearly
213 pounds of rock and soil samples, and the evaluation and use of Rover 2 over
the roughest surface yet encountered on the moon.
With the completion
of the Apollo 16 mission General Duke had logged 265 hours and 51 minutes in
space. Astronaut Duke has served as backup lunar module pilot for Apollo 13 and
Apollo 17 flights. He has numerous honors and his hobbies include hunting,
fishing, reading flying and golf.
In December 1975, Duke
retired from NASA to enter private business in San Antonio, TX. Charlie Duke is
an active motivational and inspirational speaker. As an entrepreneur, business
executive, military officer, and astronaut, he brings to the speaker's platform
forty years of experience. He has appeared 'On numerous TV shows, and spoken for
hundreds of associations, clubs, organizations, churches, and schools all over
the world.
He and his wife
Dorothy reside in New Braunfels, Texas. They have two sons, Charles III and
Thomas and three grandchildren. They have co-authored the book, Moonwalker, and
two videos, Moonwalker and Walk on the Moon, Walk with the Son.
