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