NASA Distinguished Service Medal

Last updated
NASA Distinguished Service Medal
NASA Distinguished Service Medal (GSFC 20160831 2016-16856 025) (cropped).jpg
NASA Distinguished Service Medal
TypeMedal
Awarded for"distinguished service, ability, or courage, [that] has...made a contribution representing substantial progress to aeronautical or space exploration in the interests of the United States"
CountryUnited States
Presented bythe National Aeronautics and Space Administration
EligibilityFederal government employees
StatusActive
EstablishedJuly 29, 1959
First awarded1959
NasaDisRib.svg
NASA Distinguished Service Ribbon
Precedence
Next (higher) Congressional Space Medal of Honor
Equivalent Distinguished Public Service Medal
Next (lower) Outstanding Leadership Medal

The NASA Distinguished Service Medal is the highest award that can be bestowed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States. The medal may be presented to any member of the federal government, including both military astronauts and civilian employees.

Contents

The NASA Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to those who display distinguished service, ability, or courage, and have personally made a contribution representing substantial progress to the NASA mission. The contribution must be so extraordinary that other forms of recognition would be inadequate.

Typical presentations of the NASA Distinguished Service Medal included awards to senior NASA administrators, mission control leaders, and astronauts who have completed several successful space flights. Due to the prestige of the award, the decoration is authorized for wear on active uniforms of the United States military. Another such authorized decoration is the NASA Space Flight Medal.

Upon the recommendation of NASA, the president may award an even higher honor to astronauts, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

The medal was original awarded by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and was inherited by NASA. The first NASA version (type I), featuring the NASA seal, was issued from 1959 until 1964, when it was replaced by the current type II medal (shown).

James Webb's award, 1 November 1968 Webb-nasa-distinguished-ser.png
James Webb's award, 1 November 1968

Recipients

1959

1961

1962

1963

1965

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

  • Charles J. Donlan
  • Isaac T. Gillam
  • Charles R. Gunn
  • William M. Lohse
  • Charles W. Mathews
  • John J. Neilon
  • Leonard Roberts
  • William R. Schindler

1977

1978

1980

1981

1984

1988

1991

1992

1994

1995

1996

William J. O'Neil

2000

2001

2002

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

[24]

2011

2012

  • Frank J. Benz [25]
  • Byron Butler
  • Sam V. Digesu
  • Christopher J. Ferguson
  • David C. Folta
  • Michael E. Fossum
  • Mark E. Kelly
  • Alan J. Lindenmoyer
  • David M. Martin [26]
  • Ann McNair
  • Robert R. Meyer
  • Martin G. Mlynczak
  • Philip E. Phillips [26]
  • Craig L. Purdy
  • Daniel C. Reda
  • Joseph Savino
  • Phillip A. Sabelhaus
  • Peter J. Serlemitsos
  • Robert M. Stephens
  • Michael T. Suffredini
  • Richard Zurek

2015

  • Raymond G. Clinton Jr.
  • Carl Preston Jones
  • Ellen Ochoa


2016

  • James O. Arnold
  • Perry L. Becker
  • Jeri Buchholz
  • Ricky W. Butler
  • Edward R. Generazio
  • Linda M. Jensen
  • Jack King
  • Jennifer C. Kunz
  • Michael F. O'Brien
  • William Oegerle
  • Patrick Scheuermann
  • Piers J. Sellers
  • J. William Sikora
  • Teresa Vanhooser

2017

2018

[28]

  • Theodore Adams
  • Gale Allen [29]
  • Christine Belcastro
  • John Charles
  • Charles Dovale
  • Philip Eberspeaker [29]
  • James Free [29]
  • Cornelis Gehrels
  • Pamela Hanes
  • Kenneth Human [29]
  • Robert Jacobs
  • Debra Johnson
  • Lauren Leo [29]
  • Robert Lightfoot [29]
  • Dawn Lowe
  • Joel Montalbano
  • Ellen Ochoa [29]
  • Krista Paquin [29]
  • Jonathan Pettus [29]
  • Dennis Reuter
  • Lesa Roe [29]
  • Michael Sampson
  • Christopher Singer [29]
  • Hanwant Singh
  • Gregory Williams [29]
  • Josef Wonsever
  • Joseph Zawodny

2019


[30]

  • Richard Antcliff
  • Richard Barney
  • Darren Bedell
  • Dwayne C. Brown
  • Thomas Bryan
  • Layne Carter
  • Ricky Cissom
  • Joseph Cuzzupoli
  • William DeLoach
  • Daniel Dittman
  • Edward Fein
  • Michael Freilich
  • Michael Good
  • Tyrell Hawkins
  • William Hicks
  • Andrew Hunter
  • Dorsie Jones
  • Vicki Kloeris
  • Joseph Madden
  • Edward Masuoka
  • Todd May
  • William Myers
  • Jim Reuter
  • Melvin Scruggs
  • Robert Scully
  • Jaiwon Shin
  • Patrick Simpkins
  • Steven Sullivan
  • Eric Thaxton
  • Michael Van Houten
  • Brenton Weathered
  • Terry Wilcutt

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defense Distinguished Service Medal</span> US Defense Department military decoration

The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States Department of Defense, which is presented to United States Armed Forces service members for exceptionally distinguished performance of duty contributing to the national security or defense of the United States. The medal was created on July 9, 1970, by President Richard Nixon in Executive Order 11545. President Nixon awarded the first medal, on the day the Executive Order was signed, to General Earle Wheeler, who was retiring from the US Army after serving as Chief of Staff of the United States Army and then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defense Superior Service Medal</span> United States Defense Department superior service medal

The Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM) is a military decoration of the United States Department of Defense, which is presented to United States Armed Forces service members who perform superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)</span> Military award of the US Armed Forces

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. The medal was established on July 2, 1926, and is currently awarded to any persons who, after April 6, 1917, distinguish themselves by single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Both heroism and extraordinary achievement are entirely distinctive, involving operations that are not routine. The medal may be awarded to friendly foreign military members in ranks equivalent to U.S. Pay Grade of O-6 and below, in actual combat in support operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navy Cross</span> U.S. Naval Service medal for valor

The Navy Cross is the United States Naval Service's second-highest military decoration awarded for Sailors and Marines who distinguish themselves for extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is equivalent to the Army's Distinguished Service Cross, the Air and Space Forces' Air Force Cross, and the Coast Guard Cross.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navy Distinguished Service Medal</span> United States Naval Services distinguished service medal

The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919 and is presented to sailors and marines to recognize distinguished and exceptionally meritorious service to the United States while serving in a duty or position of great responsibility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Institute of Technology</span> U.S. military graduate school

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is a postgraduate institution and provider of professional and continuing education for the United States Armed Forces and is part of the United States Air Force. It is in Ohio at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton. AFIT is a component of the Air University and Air Education and Training Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NASA Exceptional Service Medal</span> Award

The NASA Exceptional Service Medal is an award granted to U.S. government employees for significant sustained performance characterized by unusual initiative or creative ability that clearly demonstrates substantial improvement in engineering, aeronautics, space flight, administration, support, or space-related endeavors which contribute to NASA programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal</span> NASA award

The NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal is an award similar to the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, but awarded to non-government personnel. This is the highest honor NASA awards to anyone who was not a government employee when the service was performed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal</span> Award

The NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal was established by NASA in 1981 to recognize unusually significant engineering contributions towards achievement of aeronautical or space exploration goals. This award is given for individual efforts for applications of engineering principles or methods that have resulted in a contribution of fundamental importance in this field or have significantly enhanced understanding of this field or have significantly advanced the state of the practice as demonstrated by an application to aerospace systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal</span> Award for scientific contribution towards aeronautical/space exploration goals

The NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal was established by NASA on September 15, 1961, when the original ESM was divided into three separate awards. Under the current guidelines, the ESAM is awarded for unusually significant scientific contribution toward achievement of aeronautical or space exploration goals. This award may be given for individual efforts that have resulted in a contribution of fundamental importance in this field, or have significantly enhanced understanding of this field.

The Hoover Medal is an American engineering prize.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver Beaver Award</span>

The Silver Beaver Award is the council-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. Upon nomination by their local Scout council and with the approval of the National Court of Honor, recipients of this award are registered adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth through service given to the council. The Silver Beaver is an award given to those who implement the Scouting program and perform community service through hard work, self-sacrifice, dedication, and many years of service. It is given to those who do not seek it.

The ASME Medal, created in 1920, is the highest award bestowed by the ASME Board of Governors for "eminently distinguished engineering achievement". The award has been presented every year since 1996, and it consists of a $15,000 honorarium, a certificate, a travel supplement not to exceed $750, and a gold medal inscribed with the words, "What is not yet, may be".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal</span> Award

The NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal is awarded to US government employees only for notably outstanding leadership which affects technical or administrative programs of NASA. The leadership award may be given for an act of leadership, for sustained contributions based on a leader's effectiveness, for the productivity of the leader's program, or for the leader's demonstrated ability in developing the administrative or technical talents of other employees.

The George Westinghouse Medal is named for George Westinghouse and awarded to in honor of "eminent achievement or distinguished service in the power field of mechanical engineering" by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. There is a Gold medal and a Silver medal. The silver medal may only be awarded to someone under 45 years of age.

The John J. Montgomery Award was created by the National Society of Aerospace Professionals (NSAP) and the San Diego Aerospace Museum in 1962 for aerospace achievement. It was awarded from 1962 to at least 1964.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Air & Space Hall of Fame</span> Hall of fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles J. Donlan</span> American NASA researcher and manager

Charles Joseph Donlan was an American NASA researcher and manager, who was involved in the development of its facilities and research techniques, and the formulation, implementation, and direction of technical programs in support of manned and unmanned space exploration.

References

  1. Morris, John S. (1961) "President Will Give Medal to Astronaut", The New York Times, May 7, 1961.
  2. "Distinguished Service Medal, NASA, 1961, Alan Shepard". Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Virgil I. Grissom (Lieutenant Colonel, USAF)" (PDF). NASA. December 1997. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  4. "President John F. Kennedy Pins NASA Distinguished Service Medal on John Glenn". NASA. August 7, 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  5. "Remarks at the presentation of NASA's Distinguished Service Medal to Dr. Robert R. Gilruth and Colonel John H. Glenn, Jr., 23 February 1962". John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. August 7, 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  6. "Scott Carpenter". NASA. October 2013. Archived from the original on November 20, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  7. "mach-buster.co.uk".
  8. "President Kennedy Awards the NASA Distinguished Service Medal to Major Gordon Cooper, 21 May 1963". JOHN F. KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM.
  9. 1 2 Schudel, Matt (16 November 2005). "Willis Shapley Dies". Washington Post. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  10. "appa". history.nasa.gov. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  11. "Astronaut Bio: Robert L. Crippen (07\2001)". 11 February 2015.
  12. "Biographical Sketch" (PDF). NASA. December 1986. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  13. "Robert O. Aller, 76". Washington Post. June 6, 2006. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  14. "Astronaut Bio: Franklin Story Musgrave (M.D.)". 11 February 2015.
  15. "NASA medal to Aldridge".
  16. "Chief Of Staff Courtney Stadd Announces Plans To Leave Agency". NASA Newsroom. May 27, 2003. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  17. James Voss Archived 2010-05-29 at the Wayback Machine
  18. "Astronaut Bio: William McCool 5/04". 11 February 2015.
  19. "NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Honors Employees at Annual Awards Ceremony".
  20. JPL - JPL's New Associate Director Led Successful Mars Exploration
  21. "Historical Recipient List" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  22. NASA – Tampa Native Hendriksen Receives NASA Distinguished Service Medal
  23. "Christopher Scolese Receives the NASA Distinguished Service Medal (200908120001HQ)". 12 August 2009.
  24. "NASA Agency Honor Awards 2010" (PDF). NASA.
  25. "Distinguished Service Medal" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-02-03.
  26. 1 2 "NASA Awards" (PDF). Spaceport News. 7 September 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  27. "Distinguished Public Service Medal Honorees". 7 September 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  28. "NASA Agency Honor Awards 2018" (PDF). NASA.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 The Agency Honor Award was awarded between April 2, 2017, and May 31, 2018, outside the normal awards cycle
  30. "2019 Administrator's Agency Honor Awards" (PDF). August 28, 2019.