Charlie Duke, whose full name is Charles Moss Duke Jr., is an American astronaut and former test pilot. He was born on October 3, 1935, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Duke is best known for being part of the Apollo 16 mission, where he became the tenth person to walk on the Moon. Before joining NASA, Duke served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1957 and later attended the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School. Duke accumulated over 4,000 hours of flying time, including 3,632 hours in jet aircraft. Duke was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1966. He served as a member of the astronaut support crew for Apollo 10 and then as a backup lunar module pilot for Apollo 13. In April 1972, Duke finally got his chance to fly to the Moon as the lunar module pilot for Apollo 16. During the Apollo 16 mission, Duke and his fellow crew members John Young (commander) and Thomas Mattingly (command module pilot) spent a total of 71 hours on the lunar surface. They conducted various scientific experiments, collected samples, and explored the Descartes Highlands region.

Activities that include driving the Lunar Roving Vehicle (Moon buggy) for a record-breaking distance of about 16 miles (26 kilometers). He also left a family photo on the Moon's surface, making it the only personal item left there by an astronaut. After leaving NASA in 1975, Duke pursued a career in business and became involved in Christian ministry. He has written several books about his experiences as an astronaut and his Christian faith. Duke continues to be an advocate for space exploration and frequently speaks at events and conferences. Overall, Charlie Duke's contributions to space exploration, particularly his role in the Apollo 16 mission, have solidified his place in history as one of the few individuals to have walked on the Moon.