Neil Armstrong was an astronaut.
Apollo 11 was the spaceflight that landed the first two humans on the Moon . The Command/Service Module ( CSM ) was one of two spacecraft , along with the Lunar Module , used for the United States Apollo program which landed astronauts on the Moon . The Congressional Space Medal of Honor was authorized by the United States Congress in 1969 to recognize `` any astronaut who in the performance of his duties has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation and mankind . '' Neil Alden Armstrong ( August 5 , 1930 -- August 25 , 2012 ) was an American astronaut and the first person to walk on the Moon . Armstrong 's second and last spaceflight was as commander of Apollo 11 , the first manned Moon landing mission in July 1969 .