Charles Duke is a retired US Air Force officer and astronaut recognized for his significant contributions to space exploration. Born on October 3, 1935, in Charlotte, North Carolina, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Science from the U.S. Naval Academy and later received a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering. Duke flew more than 5,000 hours of flight time and became a test pilot, which eventually led to his selection as an astronaut by NASA in 1966. Duke is most renowned for his participation in the Apollo 16 mission in April 1972, during which he served as the lunar module pilot. This mission marked the fifth manned landing on the Moon, and Duke made history as the youngest person to walk on the lunar surface at age 36. His experiences on the Moon and the scientific experiments conducted during the mission greatly contributed to our understanding of lunar geology. After retiring from NASA in 1975, Charles Duke continued to inspire future generations through his public speaking and educational efforts, sharing his excitement for space exploration and science with young people. His distinguished career and achievements have made him a prominent figure in the history of human spaceflight, and he continues to be involved in various projects aimed at promoting education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Charles Duke is a retired US Air Force officer and astronaut recognized for his significant contributions to space exploration. Born on October 3, 1935, in Charlotte, North Carolina, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Science from the U.S. Naval Academy and later received a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering. Duke flew more than 5,000 hours of flight time and became a test pilot, which eventually led to his selection as an astronaut by NASA in 1966. Duke is most renowned for his participation in the Apollo 16 mission in April 1972, during which he served as the lunar module pilot. This mission marked the fifth manned landing on the Moon, and Duke made history as the youngest person to walk on the lunar surface at age 36. His experiences on the Moon and the scientific experiments conducted during the mission greatly contributed to our understanding of lunar geology. After retiring from NASA in 1975, Charles Duke continued to inspire future generations through his public speaking and educational efforts, sharing his excitement for space exploration and science with young people. His distinguished career and achievements have made him a prominent figure in the history of human spaceflight, and he continues to be involved in various projects aimed at promoting education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).