Neil Armstrong was an American astronaut and the first person to walk on the moon. He demonstrated humility as a military pilot in the Korean War and as the first man on the moon. Armstrong showed great courage and strength in his 78 combat missions in Korea and as commander of the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon. As the first person to step foot on the moon, Armstrong achieved national hero status for his role in America's victory in the Space Race against the Soviet Union.