posted 10-03-2016 08:20 AM            

One of my most prized "souvenirs" of the space program is a lapel pin which Grumman Aerospace, the Lunar Module manufacturer, gave out after the Apollo 11 mission. It is a very elegant pin of the moon with the U.S. flag superimposed on it. Jack Buxton, the Grumman representative in Houston, handed them out to all of the flight controllers.

Although I have not been able to verify exactly how many were made, Jack's wife Vicki tells me she thinks there were 500 brass/bronze pins and 50 gold ones. After being made, the mold was broken.

The brass ones were distributed to NASA Flight Operations and Apollo Program Office personnel as well as Grumman employees who worked on the LM. The gold ones were given to the flight crew, Flight Directors and Grumman and North American Aviation managers.

I actually received two of the bronze ones immediately after the flight, one from Buxton and one from Chris Kraft. After I went to work at Grumman in 1985, I was able to pick up a few more and then afterward I have purchased several on eBay. It is sad to see them for sale, but I have been able to get enough for all my kids and grandkids. I will come back from my grave to haunt them if they ever sell them!