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Given the choice between a lifeline on the moon or 8 ounces of fuel, Charlie Duke ’57 naturally chose the fuel. While the lifeline would’ve linked him to another astronaut on the moon in case of an emergency, that fuel could get them further on the lunar surface.
Charlie dreamed of flying as a child in Lancaster, SC. He took his chances in the Air Force out of the Naval Academy and he threw caution to the wind for his moon walk. He was calculated risk taker who exemplifies the honor, courage and commitment values ingrained in Bancroft Hall.
Charlie Duke was the youngest of 12 men to walk on the moon and one of three Naval Academy alumni in that exclusive club. We had the privilege to interview Charlie as the first guest of the Voices From Orbit podcast which launches on 4 August 2026. This monthly podcast, hosted by Shipmate Editor Jimmy DeButts, will feature moon walkers, Space Shuttle pilots, NASA administrators, commercial astronauts and the next generation of astronauts who will return to the moon and set the path for Mars landings.
Join us for the premiere episode of Voices From Orbit as Charlie shares his incredible journey from small-town South Carolina to Annapolis to Air Force aviator to lunar module pilot for the Apollo 16 mission.
Voices from Orbit is a podcast focusing on USNA alumni who are in the exclusive club of NASA astronauts. As the U.S. space program enters its next exciting phase-returning to the Moon and reaching Mars-there is growing demand to better understand what it will take to achieve these lofty goals and why USNA alumni are among the best suited to make them a reality.
This monthly podcast will feature moon walkers, Space Shuttle pilots, NASA Administrators, commercial astronauts and the next generation of astronauts who will return to the moon and set the path for Mars landings.
