Neil Armstrong, First Man to Walk on the Moon, Dies Aged 82 [PHOTOS]

Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, has died aged 82 from complications after cardiac surgery.

"Neil was among the greatest of American heroes - not just of his time, but of all time. When he and his fellow crew members lifted off aboard Apollo 11 in 1969, they carried with them the aspirations of an entire nation," said US President Barack Obama in a statement.

"They set out to show the world that the American spirit can see beyond what seems unimaginable - that with enough drive and ingenuity, anything is possible. And when Neil stepped foot on the surface of the Moon for the first time, he delivered a moment of human achievement that will never be forgotten."

At the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Armstrong's hometown of Wapakoneta, Ohio, a black ribbon was hung over a plaque of Armstrong in tribute .

Neil A Armstrong was born on 5 August,1930 in Wapakoneta. He earned an aeronautical engineering degree from Purdue University and a master's in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California. He worked as a naval aviator. Armstrong was selected as an astronaut in 1962. In 1969, he walked on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission.

"That is one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind," Armstrong said, on setting foot on the Moon's surface.

"The passing of Neil Armstrong has shocked all of us at the Johnson Space Center," said Michael Coats, the Center's director. "The whole world knew Neil as the first man to step foot on the Moon, but to us he was a co-worker, a friend, and an outstanding spokesman for the Human Space Program. His quiet confidence and ability to perform under pressure set an example for all subsequent astronauts. Our role model will be missed."