People like Armstrong often develop their interests at a young age. He pursued a career built on a passion for flying that he developed during his childhood in the 1930s. He learned to fly before he had graduated from high school in Wapakonneta,Ohio. He then took courses in aerospace engineering at Purdue University in Indiana, sponsored by the United States Nary. In return, Armstong served as anaval pilot for three years. He saw action almost immediately, flying 78 missions in the war in Korea.