NASA Exceptional Service Medal
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.
The medal was inherited by NASA from its predecessor organization, the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics and featured the NACA emblem. The original NASA version featured the NASA seal.Notable recipients
- Buzz Aldrin
- Neil Armstrong
- Charles Bolden
- Kevin Chilton
- Michael Collins
- Nagin Cox
- Paul D. Lowman
- William H. Dana
- John H. Disher
- Einar Enevoldson
- Christer Fuglesang
- Fitzhugh L. Fulton
- Alfred Gessow
- John M. Grunsfeld
- Umberto Guidoni
- Joseph Gutheinz
- Chris Hadfield
- Joan E. Higginbotham
- David M. Jones
- Mark Kelly
- Don Leslie Lind
- Bailey Stimson
- James A. Lovell
- William S. McArthur
- Pamela Matson
- Robert J. Parks
- Arthur Rudolph
- Tecwyn Roberts
- Walter M. Schirra
- David Scott
- Deke Slayton
- Epaminondas Stassinopoulos
- Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper
- Richard H. Truly
- Peggy Whitson
- John W. Young
- Julie Payette
- Jean Dickey