The journalists' journalist dead at 92

Longtime, legendary and venerable CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite is dead at 92.

Cronkite referred to as "the most trusted man in America," died from cerebral vascular disease at his home in Manhattan, surrounded by family members.

As the world gets set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Armstrong's historic first moonwalk Monday, July 20, Cronkite's emotional on-air reaction of the landing of Apollo 11 on the moon's Sea of Tranquility shall forever be remembered as well.

"I had just as much time to prepare for that landing as the space program did," Cronkite once remarked. "And yet, when that vehicle landed on the moon, I was speechless."

The following statements on the passing of former CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite were issued today by NASA and Neil Armstrong.

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Neil Armstrong statement on the death of Walter Cronkite

The following is a statement issued by Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong on the death of Walter Cronkite.

For a news analyst and reporter of the happenings of the day to be successful, he or she needs three things: accuracy, timeliness, and the trust of the audience.

Many are fortunate to have the first two.

The trust of the audience must be earned.

Walter Cronkite seemed to enjoy the highest of ratings.

He had a passion for human space exploration, an enthusiasm that was contagious, and the trust of his audience.

He will be missed.

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NASA mourns the death of Walter Cronkite

WASHINGTON - The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Charles Bolden on the death of veteran journalist Walter Cronkite.

It is with great sadness that the NASA family learned of Walter Cronkite's passing.

He led the transition from print and radio reporting to the juggernaut that became television journalism.

His insight and integrity were unparalleled, and his compassion helped America make it through some of the most tragic and trying times of the 20th century.

From the earliest days of the space program, Walter brought the excitement, the drama and the achievements of space flight directly into our homes.

But it was the conquest of the moon in the late 1960s that energized Walter most about exploration.

He called it the most important feat of all time and said that the success of Apollo 11 would be remembered 500 years from now as humanity's greatest achievement.

It was Walter Cronkite's impassioned reporting on America's inaugural moon landing that inspired me to join in the dreams of many to travel to space and accept the risks that this exploration brings while I was a student in naval flight training.

In honor of his ethical and enthusiastic coverage of our nations' space program, NASA was proud to honor Walter in 2006 with an Ambassador of Exploration Award and presented him with an Apollo lunar sample.

For decades, we had the privilege of learning about our world from the original 'anchorman.'

He was a true gentleman.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Walter's family and his millions of friends and supporters.

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