When we picture Apollo astronauts, stoic figures in pristine white spacesuits often come to mind, embodying discipline and bravery. These were individuals who piloted rockets to the moon, yet were perceived as paragons of rule-following military decorum. It might, therefore, come as a surprise to learn that many Apollo astronauts sported tattoos. This revelation was indeed unexpected, even for those deeply immersed in the chronicles of the Apollo era. The journey to this discovery began with a photograph of Apollo 12 commander, Pete Conrad.
It was this very image, ingrained in countless viewings, that unveiled a hidden detail. There’s Pete, casually clad in a red shirt, coffee cup in hand. Having poured over countless Apollo 12 imagery, my attention, like many others, had always been captivated by the whimsical presence of a large stuffed gorilla in the background. Distracted by this unexpected ‘fourth crew member’, a subtle detail had been overlooked: the tattoo discreetly placed on Pete Conrad’s inner left forearm.
