Title:
State of Texas Medal of Honor, Apollo 11 Astronauts
Description:
Obverse and reverse of gold medal replicas of the State of Texas Medal of Honor presented to Apollo 11 astronauts. Medals are mounted on walnut board. The medal on the left depicts the states of Texas wreath and the lone star in the center. Legend along the sides states: The State of Texas Medal of Honor. Apollo 11 - Astronauts. The medal on the right depicts two astronauts deploying the American flag on the surface of the moon with Earth on the horizon and a lunar module in the background. Legend along the sides states: We Came in Peace. July 20th, 1969.
Description:
Historical Note: This is a replica of the State of Texas Gold Medal of Honor (originally intended to be the Medal of Valor) awarded to Apollo 11 astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. by Governor Preston Smith on October 17, 1970. Obverse: The state seal of Texas has been incorporated in the design. The branch of live oak at the left of the star represents strength and the olive branch symbolizes peace. The reverse depicts the deployment of the flag of the United States on the surface of the moon by astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. during the historic lunar landing mission. The Apollo 11 astronauts were the first humans to set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969. Six hours after landing at 4:17 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (with less than 30 seconds of fuel remaining), Neil A. Armstrong took the first step and he was joined shortly thereafter by Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin. The two astronauts spent 21 hours on the lunar surface. After their historic walks on the moon, they successfully docked with the Command Module Columbia, in which Michael Collins was orbiting the moon. The dies for the medal (ATF0436) and this replica were placed in the State Archives to commemorate the historic achievement.
Identifier:
ATF0472
Item identifier:
ATF0472
Collection:
Artifacts collection
Date of creation:
1970
Source:
Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 1971/042
Container information:
Artifact Box 0074
Subject:
Apollo 11 (Spacecraft)
Subject:
Astronauts
Subject:
Texas Medal of Honor
Type:
Image
Type:
Memorabilia
Type:
Commemoratives
Type:
Medal, Commemorative
Medium:
Metal
Medium:
Wood (plant material)
Citation information:
ATF0472, Artifacts collection. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Copyright information:
This image is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States. The Item and its design depicted in this image may be protected by copyright, patents, trademarks, or other related rights. You are free to use this image in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. Unless expressly stated otherwise, Texas State Library and Archives Commission makes no warranties about the Item and cannot guarantee the accuracy of this Rights Statement. You are responsible for your own use. Please contact the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for more information. You may need to obtain other permissions for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy or moral rights may limit how you may use the material.
Size or duration:
10.25 in x 5 in x 0.5 in
Language:
English