"Jim Irwin, Colonel, United States Air Force, had a brilliant but challenging career. His is a story of difficult challenges met, and with hard work and perseverance, overcome. After battling illness and severe injuries for ten years, Jim Irwin found himself standing on the Moon.

"After leaving NASA, Jim authored a number of books about his life and about his experiences. He gave me one of those books as a gift and I treasure it today. He inscribed ‘Decisions determined destination! Your grateful brother, Jim Irwin, Apollo 15.'" - Alan Bean