Armstrong and Scott with Hatches Open

"Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and David R. Scott sit with their spacecraft hatches open while awaiting the arrival of the recovery ship, the USS Leonard F. Mason after the successful, but early, completion of their Gemini VIII mission. They are assisted by USAF Pararescuemen Eldrige M. Neal, Larry D. Huyett, and Glenn M. Moore. The overhead view shows the Gemini 8 spacecraft with the yellow flotation collar attached to stabilize the spacecraft in choppy seas. The green marker dye is highly visible from the air and is used as a locating aid."

Date: March 16, 1966

NASA ID: S66-18602

1966... Gemini VIII splashdown & post recovery March 17, 1966, Gemini VIII astronauts Neil Armstrong and David Scott pose with the divers of the US Navy recovery team. The Gemini VIII mission was cut short after a docking problem with the unmanned Agena target rocket. Re-entry took place over China with splashdown 800 kilometers east of Okinawa. Photo taken just before debarking USS Leonard F Mason in Naha harbor in Southern Japan. Note Scott’s NASA-issued Omega Speedmaster on black velcro at his left wrist. During this mission, besides his NASA-issued Omega Speedmaster, Neil Armstrong also wore a Longines Lindberg big crown aviator watch which belonged to his childhood hero James "Jimmie" Mattern. However, in the foreground, the Navy issued Tudor 7928 diving toolwatch on stainless steel bracelet at the wrist of the diver looks far more interesting! (Photo: NASA)

Air Force pararescuemen flank Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and David R. Scott, sitting in the Gemini 8 spacecraft, while awaiting the arrival of the recovery ship, the USS Leonard F. Mason after splashdown in the Pacific Ocean March 16, 1966 in the Philippine Sea. (P Flipse/NASA)

@kadonkey via X

Armstrong and Scott with Hatches Open por NASA on The Commons Por Flickr: Description Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and David R. Scott sit with their spacecraft hatches open while awaiting the arrival of the recovery ship, the USS Leonard F. Mason after the successful, but early, completion of their Gemini VIII mission. They are assisted by USAF Pararescuemen Eldrige M. Neal, Larry D. Huyett, and Glenn M. Moore. The overhead view shows the Gemini 8 spacecraft with the yellow flotation collar attached to stabilize the spacecraft in choppy seas. The green marker dye is highly visible from the air and is used as a locating aid. Image # S66-18602 Date: March 16, 1966

"The Gemini-8 spacecraft, with astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and David R. Scott still aboard, is hoisted aboard the destroyer USS Leonard F. Mason. Trouble with the Gemini-8 Orbit Attitude and Maneuvering System (OAMS) forced an early termination of the mission."

Date: March 16, 1966

NASA ID: S66-18613, S66-26037

1966 Gemini VIII splash-down & recovery A team of US Navy Para Rescue divers preparing to jump from an amphibious Albatross HU-16 aircraft during training for remote operations. In March 1966, the Gemini VIII mission was cut short and immediate re-entry of the capsule took place over China, with splash-down 800 kilometers east of Okinawa. Several aircraft were dispatched, among which a C-54D Skymaster, callsign "Naha Rescue One", piloted by Leslie George “Les” Schneider carrying a 10 men US Navy rescue team. Upon spotting the Gemini VIII capsule, three ParaRescuers parachuted near it to attach a flotation collar. Three hours later, recovery was done by USS Leonard F Mason, bringing the astronauts Neil Armstrong & David Scott via Naha - Japan, Honolulu - Hawaii to Houston Texas. Note the Tudor 7928 diving tool watch worn by the US Navy diver. (Photo: NASA)