Charles M. Duke was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 3, 1935. Duke was named after his father. The "M" in Charles M. Duke stands for Moss. Charles had two boys. He likes to go fishing, hunting, to read and go play golf .

Charles attended Lancaster High School in South Carolina. Duke  graduated from Vala Academy. He attended The University of South Carolina in 1973.  He earned a Master of Science degree  in Aeronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1964. He was presented a Honorary  Doctorate of Philosophy at the University of South Carolina  in 1973, and a Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Francis Marion College  in 1990.

Moss was one of  19 astronauts picked by NASA in April, 1996. Charles served as a member of  the astronaut support crew of Apollo 10. Duke was CAPCOM for Apollo 11 the first landing on the moon and Duke also served as a  backup lunar module pilot on the Apollo 13. Charles and Young commenced their record setting lunar surface stay of seventy - one hours and fourteen minutes to maneuvering the lunar module "Orion" for landing  on an rough Cayley Plains. Duke was a member of the Air Force.

Duke was married to Dorothy Mead. He was presented the Boy Scout's of America Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 1975. He was at the Air Force Aerospace Researching Pilot school as a instructor teaching control systems and also flying in the E -101 ,F -104  also T-33 air craft. Duke graduated  from the Aerospace Researching  Pilot school.

Charles was serving as an  Air Force officer. He was chosen for  NASA astronaut in 1996. He served as a lunar module pilot of  Apollo 16 moons mission in April, 1975 . With mission commander John W. Young, Moss spent hours on the surface of the moon. In  December 1975, Duke  retired from the astronaut's program so he could enter private business. Moss is a owner of  Duke Investments, and is president of  Charles Enterprises. Duke was a active speaker, and Christian lay witness and  became president of  Moss Ministry for Christ.

Duke also served as back up lunar module pilot for Apollo 17. With the completion of his first flight to space, Duke has logged 265 hours in space and over 21 hours of extra vehicular activity.

Credits:

http://homepage.univie.ac.at/horst.prillinger/astronauts/
http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/duke-cm.h
http://www.britannica.com/ebi/article-9321900
Picture:http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/apollo/apollo16/html/s71-51289.html