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 numerous 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.
NASA Distinguished Service Medal
Recipients
1959
1961
1962
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
2001
2002
2003
2004
2008
See also
References
- Morris, John S. (1961) "President Will Give Medal to
Astronaut", The New York Times, May 7 1961.