Here’s some stuff to know if you need it to fully appreciate this video no on has seen in more than 50 years.

This is after Apollo 16. 1958 Auburn graduate (and former SGA President) Ken “Played By Gary Sinise in ‘Apollo 13’” Mattingly was the command module pilot. That Flag you see in the plaque? Tiny little thing in the middle with the eagle in the left-hand corner that looks more like a peace dove or whatever? He took 10 of those things with him on the trip.

There’s this kind of urban legend that Mattingly planted one on the Moon. Didn’t happen.

As the lifeline for the lucky LEM boys, he didn’t make it to the surface. Still, that thing in the frame did orbit the moon, got closer than any Auburn flag ever has. There was even talks of turning it into an official university flag. That obviously didn’t happen, either. Can’t say I’m disappointed.  

( Don’t mind the audio that comes in… pretty sure that’s Dr. Philpott talking about some sort of pending university legislation… it doesn’t go with the video. Oh, and here’s another great video about Astronaut U. )

from The War Eagle Reader https://www.thewareaglereader.com/2024/05/rare-video-auburns-moon-man-honored-at-1972-georgia-tech-game/