Apollo 11 Pre- and Post- Flight Telegrams

Directly from the Personal Collection of Apollo 11 Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin

It’s no exaggeration to say that the eyes of the world were on the crew of Apollo 11 before, during, and after the mission. People who had known Aldrin, and well-wishers around the world, sent him telegrams to show that he was in their thoughts and prayers. These messages were printed out and given to Aldrin, who saved them.

Twenty-three of these telegrams were sent before the July 16th launch (or that very morning), via NASA at Houston, or at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They were from such parties as “Aunt Judith”, “Classmates at Montclair High School”, “West Point Society of South Florida”, and Air Force Chief of Staff General J.P. McConnell. For example, McConnell wrote, “... I speak for all members of the United States Air Force in wishing you complete success throughout your history-making missing to the moon, and return. Your progress through all the phases of arduous preparation for this flight is in itself a notable and praiseworthy achievement. In undertaking man’s first landing upon the lunar surface, you will earn still further gratitude and honor from our nation and the world. Godspeed.”

Fifteen people thought to send messages directly to the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, where they would be waiting for the astronauts after splashdown. Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird wrote, “For men of the Apollo 11: To you gallant Americans who journeyed to the moon and returned in peace, I send you a hearty ‘well done’ on behalf of the Department of Defense.” Others included the Chairman of the Committee on Science and Astronautics (member of Congress George Miller); a family in the town of Gomel (in the USSR!); the officers and men of USS Kitty Hawk (which was participating in Vietnam War combat missions); and the Captain of the Queens Guard at St. James Palace, England. 

Most (40) were sent afterwards to “NASA MSC Houston Texas” and given to Aldrin as he waited out a three-week quarantine there to prevent the possibility that unknown “moon germs” would cause a worldwide plague. “Bud” Mahurin was a vice-president at North American Rockwell (manufacturer of the Command Module that had just brought the astronauts back to Earth) and president of an association dear to Aldrin. He wrote, “The entire membership of the American Fighter Pilots Association joins me in send[ing] our heartiest congratulations for a superb job. All Americans can now take pride once again in the brave, the strong, and the free. You have provided us all with an emotional uplift we have long needed, and we share with you the glory of this greatest of all achievements. I am glad I am an American.” Other senders included the mayor of Downey, California (“The Home of Apollo”, where the Command Module was built); the mayor of Huntsville, Alabama (known as “Rocket City”, where the Saturn spacecraft were designed); and the President of the West Point Class of 1951.  

Also included: Aldrin’s copies of nine outgoing letters, all sent five weeks before the launch of Apollo 11. It is amazing to think that he had time to catch up on his correspondence during this time. The recipients included a “former student” (possibly when Aldrin was an instructor at the newly-established Air Force Academy); two men with whom his father had served in the military during the 1920’s; Aunt Judith and Aunt Phyllis; and some “old friends”: “Needless to say, things are quite busy these last few weeks before the flight of Apollo 11. I am presently at the Cape to complete our training.” 

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