Eugene Cernan (born March 14, 1934; died January 16, 2017) was an American astronaut who became the last human to walk on the Moon. As the commander of the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972, he spent over three days on the lunar surface and holds the distinction of being the final person to step onto it.Apollo 17 and Lunar LegacyLaunched on December 7, 1972, Apollo 17 was NASA's final crewed lunar mission. Alongside Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt, Cernan touched down in the Taurus-Littrow valley.During their mission, Cernan and Schmitt completed three moonwalks, collected a record-breaking amount of lunar samples, and drove the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV).Before re-entering the lunar module for the final time on December 14, 1972, Cernan etched his daughter's initials, TDC, into the lunar dust. His final parting words on the lunar surface were: "As I take man's last step from the surface, back home for some time to come - but we believe not too long into the future - I'd like to just (say) what I believe history will record. That America's challenge of today has forged man's destiny of tomorrow.

He commissioned me into the US Navy.

Very impressive man!

...I knew he was an astronaut but didn't know his place in history until I visited the Smithsonian Air & Space about 10 years later. That's when I learned he was the last man to step on the moon.

I toured their School of Aeronautics and Astronautics in May of 2025. What an amazing facility- like a space museum. Also, the university adorns the street light poles with giant banners honoring astronauts who went through Purdue and different NASA missions. A really fun school to visit. Triple XXX Diner is a must visit.

The admiral's son was in my AOCS class, so that was why his dad invited Gene to commission our class.