Astronaut and moonwalker on Apollo 16
Brigadier General 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 of 71 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.

Charlie Duke is an active motivational and inspirational speaker. As an entrepreneur, business executive, military officer, and Astronaut, he brings to the speakers platform forty years of experience. His speeches are entertaining, informative and sprinkled with humor. 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 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.

HONORS:

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Legion of Merit
NASA Distinguished Service Medal
Air Force Command Pilot Astronaut Wings
JSC Certificate of Commendation (1970)
Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
South Carolina Man of the Year, 1973
South Carolina Hall of Fame, 1973
Society of Experimental Test Pilots Iven C. Kincheloe Award of 1972
American Astronautical Society Flight Achievement Award, 1972
AIAA Haley Astronauts Flight Award, 1973
Federation Aeronautique Internationale V.M. Komarov Diploma, 1973
Texas Science Hall of Fame, 2000
South Carolina Hall of Science & Technology

Topics:
Leadership
Teamwork
Management Skills

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