Medals of the National Aeronautics and Space

Administration

By Ronald E Fischer and Charles P McDowell

Congressional Space Medal of Honor

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Congressional Space Medal of Honor

Congressional Space Medal of Honor

First Awarded on a Drape that was later replaced with a

neck ribbon

Awarded by the United States Congress

Eligibility NASA astronauts

Statistics

Established September 29, 1969

First awarded October 1, 1978

Total awarded 28

Posthumous

awards

17

Congressional Space Medal of Honor ribbon

Neil Armstrong being awarded the first medal by President Jimmy Carter in 1978, with

subsequent recipients Borman and Conrad seated.

The Congressional Space Medal of Honor was authorized by the United States Congress in

1969 to recognize "any astronaut who in the performance of his duties has distinguished

himself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation

and mankind." The highest award given by NASA, it is awarded by the President of the

United States in Congress's name on recommendations from the Administrator of the

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The award is a separate decoration from

the Medal of Honor, which is a military award for extreme bravery and gallantry in

combat.

Although the Congressional Space Medal of Honor is a civilian award of the United States

government, it is authorized as a military decoration for display on U.S. military uniforms

due to the prestige of the decoration. In such cases, the Congressional Space Medal of

Honor is worn as a ribbon following all United States Armed Forces decorations.

To be awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, an astronaut must perform feats

of extraordinary accomplishment while participating in space flight under the authority of

NASA. Typically, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor is awarded for scientific

discoveries or actions of tremendous benefit to mankind. The decoration may also be

awarded for extreme bravery during a space emergency or in preventing a major space

disaster. The Congressional Space Medal of Honor may also be presented posthumously to

those astronauts who die while performing a US space mission; and as of 2008, all 17

astronauts killed on US missions have been awarded the medal.

Recipients

As of 2006, 28 astronauts have been honored with the award. Seventeen were honored

posthumously: 14 died in either the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster or the Space Shuttle

Columbia disaster, and the other three died in the Apollo 1 fire. The * symbol indicates a

posthumous award.

Photo Name Date Awarded

by Notes Ref(s)

Neil

Armstrong

October 1,

1978

Jimmy

Carter

Apollo 11 (Commander of the

first lunar landing, first man to

walk on the moon)

[1]

Frank

Borman

October 1,

1978

Jimmy

Carter

Apollo 8 (Commander of the

first lunar orbit) [1]

Pete Conrad October 1,

1978

Jimmy

Carter

Skylab 2 (first Skylab

Commander; responsible for

salvaging the critically

malfunctioning station)

[1]

John Glenn October 1,

1978

Jimmy

Carter

Mercury-Atlas 6 (first

American in orbit) [1]

Photo Name Date Awarded

by Notes Ref(s)

Gus

Grissom*

October 1,

1978

Jimmy

Carter

Apollo 1, Gemini 3 and

Mercury-Redstone 4

(Commander of the first

manned Gemini); died aboard

Apollo 1

[1]

Alan

Shepard

October 1,

1978

Jimmy

Carter

Mercury-Redstone 3 (first

American in space) [1]

John Young May 19,

1981

Ronald

Reagan

STS-1 (Commander of the first

shuttle flight) [1]

Thomas P.

Stafford

January

19, 1993

George H.

W. Bush

Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (U.S.

Commander) [1]

Jim Lovell July 26,

1995

Bill

Clinton

Apollo 13 (Commander of the

ill-fated mission) [1]

Shannon

Lucid

December

2, 1996

Bill

Clinton

Longest female spaceflight

(passed by Sunita Williams) [1]

Photo Name Date Awarded

by Notes Ref(s)

Roger

Chaffee*

December

17, 1997

Bill

Clinton Died aboard Apollo 1

[1]

Edward

White*

December

17, 1997

Bill

Clinton

Apollo 1 and Gemini 4 (first

U.S. space walk); died aboard

Apollo 1

[1]

William

Shepherd

January

15, 2003

George W.

Bush

Expedition 1 (first ISS

Commander) [1]

Rick

Husband*

February

3, 2004

George W.

Bush

STS-107 (died aboard

Columbia) [1]

Willie

McCool*

February

3, 2004

George W.

Bush

STS-107 (died aboard

Columbia) [1]

Michael P.

Anderson*

February

3, 2004

George W.

Bush

STS-107 (died aboard

Columbia) [1]

Photo Name Date Awarded

by Notes Ref(s)

Kalpana

Chawla*

February

3, 2004

George W.

Bush

STS-107 (died aboard

Columbia) [1]

David M.

Brown*

February

3, 2004

George W.

Bush

STS-107 (died aboard

Columbia) [1]

Laurel B.

Clark*

February

3, 2004

George W.

Bush

STS-107 (died aboard

Columbia) [1]

Ilan Ramon* February

3, 2004

George W.

Bush

STS-107 (died aboard

Columbia, only non-U.S. citizen

recipient)

[1]

Dick

Scobee*

July 23,

2004

George W.

Bush

STS-51-L (died aboard

Challenger) [1]

Michael J.

Smith*

July 23,

2004

George W.

Bush

STS-51-L (died aboard

Challenger) [1]

Photo Name Date Awarded

by Notes Ref(s)

Judith

Resnik*

July 23,

2004

George W.

Bush

STS-51-L (died aboard

Challenger) [1]

Ronald

McNair*

July 23,

2004

George W.

Bush

STS-51-L (died aboard

Challenger) [1]

Ellison

Onizuka*

July 23,

2004

George W.

Bush

STS-51-L (died aboard

Challenger) [1]

Greg Jarvis* July 23,

2004

George W.

Bush

STS-51-L (died aboard

Challenger) [1]

Christa

McAuliffe*

July 23,

2004

George W.

Bush

STS-51-L (died aboard

Challenger, teacher) [1]

Robert

Crippen

April 26,

2006

George W.

Bush STS-1 (first shuttle flight, Pilot)

[1]

Congressional Space Medal of Honor as now awarded

Congressional Space Medal of Honor Award document

Posthumous award of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor

THE FIRST AMERICAN SPACE MEDALS: THE NACA

MEDALS

When most people think about the federal government’s efforts in space and aeronautics,

the first thing that comes to mind is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

However, NASA has very deep roots in American aviation that began well before it was

established in its current form. Its predecessor agency, the National Advisory Committee

on Aeronautics, was established during World War I as an emergency measure to promote

coordination on matters related to the emerging field of aviation. This effort was modeled

on the earlier British Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. The first American

organization was the National Aerodynamical Laboratory Commission, which was appointed

by President William Howard Taft in December of 1912. Although legislation was

introduced in January of 1913 to formally approve the Commission, that legislation did not

pass. In 1915 legislation was again introduced, this time seeking to create an advisory

committee “to supervise and direct the scientific study of the problems of flight with a view

to their practical solution, and to determine the problems which should be experimentally

attacked and to discuss their solution and their application to practical questions.” At that

time Franklin D. Roosevelt was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and he supported the

effort. The proposal was buried as a rider in the Naval Appropriations Bill, which was

approved on March 3, 1915. The newly established Advisory Committee for Aeronautics

consisted of twelve unpaid members. Its charter was “…to supervise and direct the

scientific study of the problems of flight with a view to their practical solution....” Even

though the United States has had a space agency since well before the First World War,

medals for space technology and exploration did not appear until after the Second World

War.

The Medals of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics

The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics established two awards on November

30, 1954, for award to NACA employees.

NACA Distinguished Service Medal: This gold medal recognized distinguished service to

NACA. Only seven of these medals were awarded, and the first recipient was Dr. Richard

T. Whitcomb, who received his medal on January 19, 1956. The remaining six awards were

made to:

-- Charles W. Littleton (April 19, 1956)

-- John W. Moise (April 19, 1956)

-- Jerome Hunsaker (March 21, 1957)

-- Harry Julian Allen (April 18, 1957)

-- I. Irving Pinkel (April 18, 1957)

-- John F. Victory (August 21, 1958)

NACA Exceptional Service Medal: This silver medal recognized exceptional service to

NACA, but not of a degree to merit the award of the NACA Distinguished Service Medal.

It is silver and the same design to the NACA Distinguished Service Medal. Only seven of

the NACA

Exceptional Service Medal were made, and they went to:

-- Stanley P Butchart (April 5, 1956)

-- Joseph A. Walker (April 5, 1956)

-- Richard G. Payne (April 5, 1956)

-- Seymour Lieblein (August 20, 1957)

-- Robert G. Deissler (August 20 1957)

-- John B. Parkinson (October 4, 1957)

-- Anshal I. Neilhouse (October 4, 1957)

The awards to Butchard, Walker, and Payne were for bravery during the test flight

accident involving the X-1A aircraft in August of 1955. The remaining four awards were

for significant scientific achievements.

The NACA Distinguished and Exceptional Service Medals are extremely rare, but a well

made copy has been available on the collectors’ market for several years. These medals

appear to be made off shore, probably in China, and are very close to the originals.

With the creation of NASA it was time to develop a new family of medals.

NASA Distinguished Service Medal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NASA Distinguished Service Medal

NASA Distinguished Service Medal Type I Design

using the Agency Seal 1958 - 1961

NASA Distinguished Service Medal Current Type II

Design from 1961on

Statistics

Established July 29, 1959

First awarded 1959

NASA Distinguished Service Ribbon

The NASA Distinguished Service Medal is the highest award which may 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.

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.

The medal was original awarded by the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics and

was inherited by NASA. The first NASA version (type I), featuring the NASA seal, was

issued from 1959 until 1961, when it was replaced by the current type II medal (shown).

Only three type I medals were awarded—to John W. Crowley, NASA Director of

Aeronautical and Space Research; and Mercury astronauts Alan B. Shepard Jr. and Virgil

I. "Gus" Grissom.

James Webb, NASA's Administrators, DSM medal (Type II)and document award

on 1 November 1968

President John F. Kennedy presents astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. with NASA's

Distinguished Service Medal Award (Type I) in a Rose Garden ceremony on May 8, 1961,

at the White House. Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson, NASA Administrator James E.

Webb and several NASA astronauts are in the background.

Awards of NASA medals to Major Gordon Cooper and Mercury team by Kennedy

Film: http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/Archives/JFKWHF-WHN15.aspx

NASA DSM in the old box and now as it now awarded in standard blue box

NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal

Statistics

Established July 29, 1959

NASA Distinguished Public Service Ribbon

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. Awarded for accomplishments that contributed substantially to the

NASA Mission. The contribution must be so extraordinary that other forms of recognition

would be inadequate.

The first recipient was Dr. Charles Stark Draper In 1967

NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal

Statistics

Established July 29, 1959

NASA Outstanding Leadership Ribbon

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 first recipients of the medal were James C. Elms and Robert L. Krieger in 1959

Outstanding Public Leadership Medal

This medal is awarded to non-government employees for notable leadership

accomplishments starting in 2012 that have significantly influenced the NASA mission. It is

based on sustained leadership and exceptionally high impact leadership achievements that

demonstrate the individual’s effectiveness in advancing NASA’s goals and image in present

and future terms. As one of NASA’s most prestigious medals, leadership excellence must be

demonstrated in all of the following areas:

• Achieving Results: Highly effective in achieving positive results/change. Impact and

importance of work achievements toward NASA's missions and image are a direct result of

the individual's contributions and efforts.

• Role Model: Consistent and exemplary behavior that models NASA's core values

and promotes these values within the Agency.

• Leading People: Cooperative collaboration and teamwork across the organizational,

directorate, Agency, Government or industry level to accomplish expected results;

• Influencing Change: Innovative approaches used in the conception, design, or execution

of projects, programs, initiatives, and activities (work represents a high degree of creativity

or fundamental departure from usual practice).

NASA Exceptional Service Medal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NASA Exceptional Service Medal

Type I design in silver using NASA Seal

Type II current design awarded to Edward H White, II in 1968

Statistics

Established July 29, 1959

NASA Exceptional Service Ribbon

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.

This medal was inherited by NASA from its predecessor organization, the National

Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) and featured the NACA emblem. The first

type NASA version featured the NASA seal.

Award document that accompanies the medal, given to Wally Schirra in 1964.

NASA Public Service Medal

NASA Public Service Medal

Statistics

Established July 29, 1959 NASA Public Service Ribbon

NASA's Exceptional Public Service Medal is a United States government award granted

for exceptional contributions to the mission of NASA to anyone who was not a government

employee when the service was performed.

The NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal

Statistics

Established September 15, 1961

NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Ribbon

The NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal is an award given for exceptional

engineering contributions toward achieving the NASA mission. It is open to government

employees and non-government personnel.

Source internet website:

In June 2010, I received this medal as a result of my work on

the Final Servicing Mission to Hubble.

Close-up of the large medal. Its width is 1.5".

As is written on the nomination form (NASA Form 1644):

"Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal (EEAM) -is awarded for unusually significant

engineering contributions toward achievement of the NASA mission. This award may be given

for individual efforts or application of engineering principles/methods which have resulted in a

contribution of fundamental importance in this field or have significantly enhanced

understanding of this field."

The citation reads: "For superior accomplishments in support of

numerous pivotal instruments serviced or repaired during the

Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 4."

The award consists of four parts. A ribbon, a lapel pin,

a small medal, and the large one.

NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal

Statistics

Established September 15, 1961

Precedence

NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Ribbon

The NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal (abbreviated ESAM) 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. It is awarded to both government and non government employees.

NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal

Statistics

Established September 15, 1961

Precedence

NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Ribbon

The NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal is an award given to both

government and non government employees for technology contributions achieved in one

of the following:

Early technology development significantly contributing to the NASA mission

Exemplary collaborative effort in achieving significant technology transfer

Exceptional utilization of a NASA-developed technology resulting in a significant

commercial application.

The NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal

NASA Exceptional Achievement Ribbon

The NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal is an award of the National Aeronautics and

Space Administration established in 1991. The medal is awarded to both civilian members of

NASA and military astronauts.

To be awarded the medal, a NASA employee must make substantial contributions

characterized by a substantial and significant improvement in operations, efficiency,

service, financial savings, science, or technology which directly contribute to the mission of

NASA. For civilians, the decoration is typically bestowed to mid-level and senior NASA

administrators who have supervised at least four to five successful NASA missions.

Astronauts may be awarded the decoration after two to three space flights.

Due to its prestige, the medal is authorized as a military decoration for display on active

duty military uniforms upon application from the service member to the various branch of

the military in which they serve.

Exceptional Public Achievement Medal

This medal is awarded to any non-Government individual or to any individual who was not

a Government employee during the period in which the service was performed starting in

2012. The award is for a significant specific achievement or substantial improvement in

operations, efficiency, service, financial savings, science, or technology, which contributes

to the mission of NASA. The criteria are as follows:

• Work-related achievements yielding high-quality results and/or substantial improvement

that supports the Agency mission.

• Innovative approaches used in the conception, design, or execution of the individual's

work.

• Impact and importance of the individual's achievement that made a significant

Early Career Achievement Medal

This medal is awarded to any Government employee for unusual and significant

performance during the first ten years of an individual's early career (i.e., entry-level

professional in a scientific, engineering, administrative professional or technical position) in

support of the Agency.

The recipient’s performance must be characterized by unusual initiative or a creative

achievement that clearly demonstrates a significant contribution in the individual's

discipline area that directly contributes to NASA's mission and goals. The contribution

must be significant in that, for an employee who is at such an early phase of career, the

contribution substantially improves the discipline area. The criteria also include the

following:

• The achievement yields high-quality results and/or substantial improvements to

the discipline.

• Impact of the employee's achievement has significant importance relative to the

discipline area.

• The achievement is perceived as outstanding or significant by peers and/or

impacted target groups.

• Justification must describe the nominee's career history sufficiently to show that he/she

meets the definition of "early career" as defined herein.

NASA Equal Employment Opportunity Medal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NASA Equal Employment Opportunity Medal

NASA Equal Employment

Opportunity Medal Opportunity Ribbon

The NASA Equal Employment Opportunity Medal is an award given to both government

employees and non-government personnel for outstanding achievement and material

contribution to the goals of NASA’s Equal Employment Opportunity Programs either

within government, community organizations, or groups.

The NASA Exceptional Administrative Achievement Medal

NASA Exceptional Administrative Achievement Medal

Exceptional Administrative Achievement Ribbon

The NASA Exceptional Administrative Achievement Medal is an award given by NASA to

any person in the United States federal service for a significant, specific accomplishment or

contribution characterized by unusual initiative or creativity that clearly demonstrates a

substantial improvement in administrative support contributing to the mission of NASA,

such as:

Exceptional initiative in carrying out office/program support activities that resulted

in improved processes and operations.

Development and improvement of administrative support methods and processes

that resulted in substantial benefit to the office or program.

Notable competence and resourcefulness in accomplishing and improving

office/program processes and operations.

NASA Space Flight Medal

Statistics

First awarded 1981

NASA Space Flight Ribbon

The NASA Space Flight Medal is a decoration of the National Aeronautics and Space

Administration. According to its statutes, it is awarded "for significant achievement or

service during individual participation as a civilian or military astronaut, pilot, mission

specialist, payload specialist, or other space flight participant in a space flight mission." In

practice, the medal is bestowed upon any astronaut (US or foreign) who flies aboard a

United States space mission, and typically every subsequent flight is honored with an

additional award.

Multiple awards of the decoration are annotated either by award stars or oak leaf clusters

(depending on the civilian or military status of the recipient and, if military, the branch of

service). The NASA Space Flight Medal is also authorized for wear on active uniforms of

the United States military and is worn after all military decorations.

On June 5, 2007, Lisa Nowak was awarded the NASA Space Flight Medal at Johnson

Space Center for her flight on Discovery Mission STS-121 as a flight engineer on a mission

to the International Space Station.

NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal

NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal

Statistics

Established July 29, 1959

NASA Exceptional Bravery Ribbon

The NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal is a NASA award for exemplary and courageous

handling of an emergency by an individual who, independent of personal danger, has acted

to prevent the loss of human life or U.S. government property. The award is open to

government and non-government employees.

Silver Achievement Medal

The NASA Silver Achievement Medal is awarded from 2012 to Government and non-

Government individuals or teams by NASA Center Directors for a stellar achievement that

supports one or more of NASA's core values, when it is deemed to be extraordinarily

important and appropriate to recognize such achievement in a timely and personalized

manner.

All four of the new medals were designed by Rhonda Reiner of the Institute of Heraldry

and are masterpieces of heraldic design.

In 2012 four new medals have joined the family of medals previous established by NASA.

The new medals are shown below (italics) in their order of precedence with the other

NASA medals:

Congressional Space Medal of Honor

• Distinguished Service Medal (First Type: 1959-1961)

• Distinguished Service Medal (Second Type: 1961 to the present)

• Distinguished Public Service Medal

• Outstanding Leadership Medal

• Outstanding Public Leadership Medal (2012)

• Exceptional Service Medal (First Type: 1959-1961)

• Exceptional Service Medal (Second Type: 1961 to the present)

• Exceptional Public Service Medal

• Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal

• Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal

• Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal

• Exceptional Achievement Medal

• Exceptional Public Achievement Medal (2012)

• Early Career Achievement Medal (2012)

• Equal Employment Opportunity Medal

• Exceptional Administrative Achievement Medal

• Space Flight Medal

• Exceptional Bravery Medal

• Silver Achievement Medal (2012)

Group Achievement Awards

Group Achievement Award (GAA) - Is an award given to either a group of

Government employees or a group comprised of both Government and non-Government

personnel for an outstanding accomplishment through the coordination of many

individual efforts which have contributed substantially to NASA’s mission, with explicit

consideration given to: (1) the quality of results and the level of impact on NASA

programs or operations; (2) effective management of cost and schedule; (3) customer

satisfaction; (4) team growth and capacity for future contribution; and (5) additionalprior

to use.

credit for development of innovative approaches, use of and contributions to lessons

learned

data banks, and/or success in responding to unforeseen crises.

Other examples of group award recognition certificates from the internet.

Sources:

1. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2. Planchett Press Newsletter Volume 14, Number 1 (#53) Spring 2012

By Charles P. McDowell

3. Program of the 2012 NASA Annual Awards Ceremony:

https://searchpub.nssc.nasa.gov/servlet/sm.web.Fetch/NASA_Agency_Honor_Awards_2012

_Brochure.pdf?rhid=1000&did=1337924&type=released

4. Internet searches for photos of medals and award documents