NASA’s Moon landing efforts bore fruit on July 20, 1969, when Apollo 11 safely reached the lunar surface. The historic Apollo mission was led by “reluctant American hero” Neil Armstrong, alongside astronauts Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin. As mission commander, Armstrong had the privilege of being the first man to walk on the Moon. But up until his death the age of 82 on August 27, 2012, the astronaut shied away from the spotlight, choosing instead to live a private life.

Now, as the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing fast approaches, a re-released rare interview from 2005 has revealed why Commander Armstrong never embraced his celebrity status. Speaking to Ed Bradley on a special edition of CBS’ 60 Minutes, the astronaut humbly denied responsibility for the success of Apollo 11. When asked about his humility, Armstrong simply said: “I just don’t deserve it.” Three men flew to the Moon and back in the summer of 1969 and two of them – Armstrong and Aldrin – landed on the lunar orb. READ MORE: When did Apollo 11 launch, land on the Moon and return to Earth?

Moon landing: Astronaut Neil Armstrong shied away from fame after Apollo 11

Moon landing: Neil Armstrong joined the astronaut corps in 1962

Back on Earth, the Moon landing was backed by the tireless work of 400,000 men and women in the space race. Over the years, Armstrong has diverted all praise and applause to these unnamed members of the Apollo programme who made the Moon landing a possibility.

I just don’t deserve it Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11 astronaut

The humble appearance in the eye of the public has earned the astronaut the title of a reluctant hero. When Armstrong died in 2012, his family said in a statement: “Neil was our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. “Neil Armstrong was also a reluctant American hero who always believed he was just doing his job.” READ MORE: What did Neil Armstrong say during historic Moon landing?

The astronaut was survived by his Apollo 11 crewmates as well as his two wives and two sons. Buzz Aldrin, who walked alongside Armstrong on the Moon, shared his heartbreak at not being able to celebrate the 50th Apollo 11 anniversary with his friend He said: “I had truly hoped that on July 20th, 2019, Neil, Mike and I would be standing together to commemorate the 50th anniversary of our Moon landing, as we also anticipated the continued expansion of humanity into space, that our small mission helped make possible. “Regrettably, this is not to be. Neil will most certainly be there with us in spirit.” READ MORE: Why did the Apollo 11 flag wave and flap in space?

Neil Armstrong joined NASA’s astronaut corps in 1962, following a career as a US Navy aviator. On his very first space flight, Armstrong took command of NASA’s Gemini 8 mission in 1966. In 1968, after serving as the back-up commander for Apollo 8, the astronaut was given reigns over the upcoming Apollo 11 mission. But even that, Armstrong claimed, was a matter of circumstance. He told 60 Minutes: “I wasn’t chosen to be first, I was just chosen to command that flight. “Circumstance put me in that particular role. That wasn’t planned by anyone.”

Moon landing: Neil Armstrong died on August 27, 2012, at the age of 82

Apollo 11 crew: Michael Collins (centre) and Buzz Aldrin (right) are still alive and well

Quick facts about Neil Armstrong’s life: 1. DescriptionNeil Alden Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in the city of Wapakoneta in central Ohio. 2. Between 1949 and 1952, Armstrong served as a naval aviator. 3. After the Moon landing in 1969, Armstrong served as Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics at NASA’s Washington Headquarters. 4. The retired astronaut worked as a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Cincinnati between 1971 and 1979. 5. Armstrong was survived by his wife, his two sons, his stepson, his stepdaughter, his brother, his sister and 10 grandchildren.