Wapakoneta in Auglaize County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Five Fun Facts About Neil Armstrong & Wapakoneta

Photographed By Craig Doda, April 20, 2022

1. Five Fun Facts About Neil Armstrong & Wapakoneta Marker

Inscription. Neil was born on his grandparents' farm southwest of town on August 5, 1930. After living in more than a dozen communities across Ohio, the Armstrong family settled permanently in Wapakoneta in April 1944, when Neil was a freshman in high school.

Neil loved music, and played the baritone horn in high school. The family was also very involved in their church, St. Paul Evangelical and Reformed, which sponsored Neil's Boy Scout troop.

Neil worked several after school jobs, most notably at the downtown Rhine & Brading drug store, to earn money for flying lessons.

Neil rode his bike to Port Koneta, north of town, to take lessons. At age 16 he received his pilot's license --before earning his driver's license.

After graduating Blume High School in 1947, Neil attended Purdue University. His studies were interrupted by the Korean War, in which he served as a pilot for the U.S. Navy.

This public art is brought to you by First on The Moon, Inc., which enhances public understanding of and appreciation for Wapakoneta, Ohio's, unique identity as the home of Neil A. Armstrong, first person to walk on the moon. Visit Firstonthemoon.org.

Erected by First on The Moon, Inc.

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Air & Space • Heroes. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1944.

Location. 40° 34.206′ N, 84° 11.635′ W. Marker is in Wapakoneta, Ohio, in Auglaize County. Marker is on Willipie Street north of Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Willipie Street, Wapakoneta OH 45895, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lengerich Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Neil Armstrong Homecoming Statue (within shouting distance of this marker); Wapakoneta Heritage Parkway (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Apollow 11 Mission and the First Moon Walk (about 300 feet away); Gold Star Families Memorial Monument (about 300 feet away); The Charles F. Herbst Building (1905) (about 400 feet away); The Nagel Block (1908) (about 400 feet away); 1874 Casper Rhine Boots And Shoe Store (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wapakoneta.

Also see . . . Firstonthemoon.org. (Submitted on April 21, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio.)

Photographed By Craig Doda, April 20, 2022

2. Five Fun Facts About Neil Armstrong & Wapakoneta Marker

Photographed By Craig Doda, April 20, 2022

3. Five Fun Facts About Neil Armstrong & Wapakoneta Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on April 29, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 21, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.