Italy, Republic. An order of the Italian Republic, Grand Officer Set to NASA Apollo 11 Astronaut Buzz Aldrin

(Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana). Instituted in 1951. In silver gilt, a white enamelled cross pattee with a ball finial at the end of each arm, a five point star in the center of the cross and eagles in each quadrant, the reverse mirrors the obverse, the badge is surmounted by a large crown with red, black, green, and white enamel details, worn on a full length green and red silk neck ribbon, measures 55.85mm (w) x 76.68mm (h), weighs 40.4 grams including ribbon, enamels intact, central star is oxidized, dark patina, in extremely fine condition. The Star of the Order, an eight point silver star with clusters of five faceted rays, the superimposed center medallion with a white enamelled cross pattee with a ball finial at the end of each arm, a five point star in the center of the cross and eagles in each quadrant, the reverse with a single vertical pin, marked 80 and 800 on the reverse, measures 74.05mm (w) x 74.85mm (h), weighs 51.5 grams, enamels intact, very dark patina at tip of each ray, central star on white cross showing wear and oxidation, remains in very fine condition. Accompanied by a buttonhole rosette with silver gilt star device, remains in very fine condition.

Contained in its original case of issue, a green faux leatherette exterior with the Italian symbol in gilt on the exterior lid, the padded interior marked S. Johnson MILANO ROMA, the base with a crème-coloured velvet medal bed with storage section for the neck ribbon near the hinges, measures 131mm (w) x 250mm (l) x 35mm (d), scuffs and discolouration to exterior, hinge and clasp functional, remains in very fine condition.

Accompanied by the Detailed Schedule of the Apollo 11 World Tour, Rome, including four pages detailing October 15 to October 18, 1969 ; a Department of State Background Notes booklet for the Italian Republic, consisting of four pages with information on the people, history, government, and economy, etc. All paperwork in very fine condition.

Footnote: The Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16 1969, carrying three astronauts: Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin.

Buzz Aldrin was born on January 20, 1930 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. His father, Edwin Eugene Aldrin Sr. was an Army aviator during the First World War, later working at Standard Oil. Aldrin attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating third in his class in 1951.

When the Korean War broke out, he joined the United States Air Force and underwent basic training in Florida. He served as a jet fighter pilot, flying 66 combat missions in a F-86 Sabre and shooting down two MiG-15 aircrafts. For his service in Korea, he was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Air Medals.

Aldrin later attended MIT, earning a Doctor of Science degree in astronautics. His doctoral thesis entitled “Line-of-Sight Guidance Techniques for Manned Orbital Rendezvous” resulted in the nickname ‘Dr. Rendezvous.’ He was selected as a member of NASA’s Astronaut Group 3, making him one of fourteen individuals chosen for the Gemini and Apollo programs.

His first space flight took place in 1966 on Gemini 12, in which he spent over five hours on extravehicular activity. In 1969, Aldrin was the second person ever to set foot on the moon, 19 minutes after Commander Neil Armstrong. As a Presbyterian elder, he was the first person to hold a religious ceremony on the Moon when he privately took communion. They returned to earth by splashing into the Pacific on July 24th. The total duration of the missing was 195 hours, 18 minutes, and 35 seconds. Each astronaut was honored with a Presidential Medal of Freedom. At the end of September 1969, they embarked on a 38-day world tour, visiting 22 foreign countries.

In 1971, Aldrin left NASA and became the Commandant of the U.S Air Force Test Pilot School. He retired from the Air force in 1972, after 21 years of service. He continued to advocate for space exploration, struggled with alcoholism and depression, and created the Aldrin Cycler, a special spacecraft trajectory. In 2015, Aldrin, along with the Florida Institute of Technology pitched a master plan to NASA in which astronauts would create a colony on Mars before the year 2040. Aldrin is currently 92 and resides in Montclair, New Jersey. He is the only living Apollo 11 astronaut.

Provenance: Sotheby's Auction, Buzz Aldrin: American Icon 26 July 2022, Lot 52