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Congressional Space Medal of Honor
American award given to astronauts
American award given to astronauts
| Field | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| name | Congressional Space Medal of Honor | |
| image | Congressional Space Medal of Honor - detail.png | |
| caption | Thomas Stafford's medal | |
| presenter | the United States Congress | |
| country | United States | |
| type | Medal | |
| eligibility | NASA astronauts | |
| awarded_for | "exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation and mankind" | |
| status | Active | |
| established | September 29, 1969 | |
| firstawarded | October 1, 1978 | |
| total_awarded | 30 | |
| total_awarded_posthumously | 17 | |
| higher | (none) | |
| lower | NASA Distinguished Service Medal | |
| NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal | ||
| image2 | [[File:U.S. Congressional Space Medal of Honor ribbon.svg | 80px]] |
| caption2 | Congressional Space Medal of Honor ribbon |
NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal
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 or her duties has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation and mankind". 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.
While the Congressional Space Medal of Honor is a civilian award of the United States government, it is authorized as a non-military decoration for display on U.S. military uniforms because it is awarded by a federal agency. In such cases, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor is worn as a ribbon "immediately preceding the Prisoner of War Medal". DoD policy specifically prohibits wear of any non-military awards for valor or service, but the Congressional Space Medal of Honor only recognizes meritorious achievement, so it does not fall under this prohibition.
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, or posthumously to those astronauts who die while performing a U.S. space mission. , all 17 astronauts killed on US missions had been awarded the medal.
President George W. Bush awarded the most CSMOH with 16; 14 of them posthumous for crews of the two destroyed space shuttle flights, Challenger and Columbia. President Joe Biden awarded the CSMOH to Crew Dragon Demo-2 members Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken on January 31, 2023. The 16-year hiatus from April 2006 to January 2023 is the longest gap between awards.
Recipients
The medal has been awarded to 30 astronauts, of which 17 were made posthumously for those who died preparing for or during an American spaceflight. Of those 17, three died in the Apollo 1 fire, seven died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, and seven in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Four of the twelve moonwalkers received the medal (Armstrong, Conrad, Shepard, and Young), but only Neil Armstrong for his lunar mission. The New Nine class of U.S. astronauts (the second group of astronauts selected by NASA) has the most recipients of the medal, with seven. Second is NASA Astronaut Group 8 which received five awards, four for astronauts killed in the Challenger Disaster ( is the only Group 8 astronaut to receive the award who was not killed in the Challenger Disaster).
Five recipients are living, three over 80 years old. Frank Borman was the last remaining of the first six recipients of the CSMOH in 1978.
In the table below, an asterisk indicates a posthumous award.
| Photo | Name | Date | Awarded by | Notes | Ref(s) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [[Image:Neil Armstrong pose.jpg | 100px | Neil Armstrong]] | (1930–2012) | Apollo 11 (Commander of the first lunar landing, first man to walk on the Moon) | url=https://history.nasa.gov/spacemedal.htm | title=Congressional Space Medal of Honor | publisher=NASA | date=April 28, 2006 | access-date=2008-07-05}} | ||||||
| [[Image:Frank Borman.jpg | 100px | Frank Borman]] | (1928–2023) | Apollo 8 (Commander of the first lunar orbit) | title=International Space Hall of Fame :: New Mexico Museum of Space History :: Inductee Profile | url=http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=60 | website=www.nmspacemuseum.org | access-date=7 May 2017}} | |||||||
| [[Image:Pete Conrad during suit-up for the Apollo 12 launch (3x4 cropped).jpg | 100px | Pete Conrad]] | (1930–1999) | Skylab 2 (first Skylab Commander; responsible for salvaging the critically malfunctioning station) | title=International Space Hall of Fame :: New Mexico Museum of Space History :: Inductee Profile | url=http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=62 | website=www.nmspacemuseum.org | access-date=7 May 2017}} | |||||||
| [[Image:John Glenn Portrait.jpg | 100px | John Glenn]] | (1921–2016) | Mercury-Atlas 6 (first American in orbit) | title=President Obama Awards John Glenn with Medal of Freedom - SpaceNews.com | url=http://spacenews.com/president-obama-awards-john-glenn-medal-freedom/ | website=SpaceNews.com | access-date=7 May 2017 | date=4 June 2012}} | ||||||
| [[Image:Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom portrait.jpg | 100px | Gus Grissom]] | * (1926–1967) | Mercury-Redstone 4, Gemini 3 (spacecraft commander of the first manned Gemini mission), Apollo 1 (spacecraft commander); died aboard Apollo 1 | title=Gus Grissom: Remembering NASA's 'Forgotten' Astronaut | url=http://www.americaspace.com/2013/04/03/gus-grissom-nasas-forgotten-astronaut-remembered/ | website=AmericaSpace | access-date=7 May 2017 | date=2013-04-03}} | ||||||
| [[Image:Alan-shepard.jpg | 100px | Alan Shepard]] | (1923–1998) | Mercury-Redstone 3 (first American in space) | title=International Space Hall of Fame :: New Mexico Museum of Space History :: Inductee Profile | url=http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=55 | website=www.nmspacemuseum.org | access-date=7 May 2017}} | |||||||
| [[Image:Astronaut John W. Young (1971).jpg | 100px | John Young]] | (1930–2018) | Commander of STS-1, the first Space Shuttle mission | title=National Space Grant Distinguished Service Award - 2007 National Space Grant Foundation | url=https://www.spacegrant.org/nsgdsa/Young | website=www.spacegrant.org | access-date=7 May 2017}} | |||||||
| [[Image:Thomas Stafford.jpg | 100px | Thomas Stafford]] | (1930–2024) | Apollo–Soyuz Test Project (U.S. Commander) | title=Moon Rock to be Awarded to Apollo-Soyuz Astronaut Thomas Stafford | url=http://www.space.com/1243-moon-rock-awarded-apollo-soyuz-astronaut-thomas-stafford.html | website=Space.com | date=27 June 2005 | access-date=7 May 2017}} | ||||||
| [[Image:James Lovell.jpg | 100px | James Lovell]] | (1928–2025) | Apollo 13 (Commander of the ill-fated mission) | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39797776/pensacola_news_journal/ | title=Real-Life Apollo Astronaut Wins Medal | newspaper=Pensacola News Journal | location=Pensacola, Florida | date=July 27, 1995 | page=2A | via=Newspapers.com | agency=Associated Press}} | |||
| [[Image:ShannonLucid.jpeg | 100px | Shannon Lucid]] | (1943–) | Longest female spaceflight (passed by Sunita Williams) | agency=Associated Press | title=1st Woman Wins Space Medal of Honor | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-12-03-mn-5308-story.html | website=Los Angeles Times | access-date=7 May 2017 | date=3 December 1996}} | |||||
| [[File:RogerChaffee.1964.ws.jpg | 100px | Roger Chaffee]] | * (1935–1967) | Died aboard Apollo 1 | title=William J. Clinton: Remarks on Presenting the Congressional Space Medal of Honor Posthumously to Roger B. Chaffee and Edward H. White II | url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-presenting-the-congressional-space-medal-honor-posthumously-roger-b-chaffee-and | website=www.presidency.ucsb.edu | access-date=7 May 2017}} | |||||||
| [[Image:EdwardWhite.jpeg | 100px | Edward White]] | * (1930–1967) | Gemini 4 (first U.S. space walk) and Apollo 1; died aboard Apollo 1 | |||||||||||
| [[Image:William Shepherd.jpg | 100px | William Shepherd]] | (1949–) | Expedition 1 (first ISS Commander) | title=International Space Hall of Fame :: New Mexico Museum of Space History :: Inductee Profile | url=http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=153 | website=www.nmspacemuseum.org | access-date=7 May 2017}} | |||||||
| [[Image:Richard Husband, NASA photo portrait in orange suit.jpg | 100px | Rick Husband]] | * (1957–2003) | STS-107 (died aboard *Columbia*) | last1=Learning | first1=Jones & Bartlett | title=Exploring Space: The High Frontier | publisher=Jones & Bartlett Learning | isbn=9780763789619 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7Ux61eRFS_YC&q=Columbia+crew+Space+Medal+of+Honor&pg=PA334 | access-date=7 May 2017 | language=en | year=2010}} | ||
| [[Image:William Cameron McCool.jpg | 100px | Willie McCool]] | * (1961–2003) | STS-107 (died aboard *Columbia*) | |||||||||||
| [[Image:Michael P. Anderson, official portrait.jpg | 100px | Michael Anderson]] | * (1959–2003) | STS-107 (died aboard *Columbia*) | |||||||||||
| [[Image:Kalpana Chawla, NASA photo portrait in orange suit.jpg | 100px | Kalpana Chawla]] | * (1962–2003) | STS-107 (died aboard *Columbia*) | |||||||||||
| [[Image:David M. Brown, NASA photo portrait in orange suit.jpg | 100px | David Brown]] | * (1956–2003) | STS-107 (died aboard *Columbia*) | |||||||||||
| [[Image:Laurel Clark.jpg | 100px | Laurel Clark]] | * (1961–2003) | STS-107 (died aboard *Columbia*) | |||||||||||
| [[Image:Ilan Ramon, NASA photo portrait in orange suit.jpg | 100px | Ilan Ramon]] | * (1954–2003) | STS-107 (died aboard *Columbia*, only non-U.S. citizen recipient) | title=Ilan Ramon took tragic reminders, hope into space | url=https://www.aaas.org/blog/scientia/ilan-ramon-took-tragic-reminders-hope-space | website=AAAS - The World's Largest General Scientific Society | access-date=7 May 2017 | language=en | date=10 June 2016}} | |||||
| [[Image:Scobee-fr.jpg | 100px | Dick Schobee]] | * (1939–1986) | STS-51-L (died aboard *Challenger*) | title=Our SpaceFlight Heritage: 29th anniversary of Challenger disaster - SpaceFlight Insider | url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/space-flight-history/spaceflight-heritage-29th-anniversary-challenger-disaster/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131070054/http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/space-flight-history/spaceflight-heritage-29th-anniversary-challenger-disaster/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=January 31, 2015 | website=www.spaceflightinsider.com | access-date=7 May 2017 | date=2015-01-28}} | |||
| [[Image:Michael Smith (NASA).jpg | 100px | Michael Smith]] | * (1945–1986) | STS-51-L (died aboard *Challenger*) | |||||||||||
| [[Image:Judith A. Resnik, official portrait (cropped).jpg | 100px | Judith Resnik]] | * (1949–1986) | STS-51-L (died aboard *Challenger*) | |||||||||||
| [[Image:Ronald Erwin McNair.jpg | 100px | Ronald McNair]] | * (1950–1986) | STS-51-L (died aboard *Challenger*) | |||||||||||
| [[Image:Ellison Shoji Onizuka (NASA).jpg | 100px | Ellison Onizuka]] | * (1946–1986) | STS-51-L (died aboard *Challenger*) | |||||||||||
| [[Image:Gregory Jarvis (NASA).jpg | 100px | Greg Jarvis]] | * (1944–1986) | STS-51-L (died aboard *Challenger*) | |||||||||||
| [[Image:ChristaMcAuliffe.jpg | 100px | Christa McAuliffe]] | * (1948–1986) | STS-51-L (died aboard *Challenger*, teacher) | |||||||||||
| [[Image:Robert Crippen.jpg | 100px | Robert Crippen]] | (1937–) | STS-1 (first Space Shuttle flight, Pilot) | title=Former astronaut Robert Crippen is honored | url=https://phys.org/news/2006-04-astronaut-robert-crippen-honored.html | website=phys.org | access-date=7 May 2017}} | |||||||
| [[File:Douglas_Hurley_in_2018.jpg | 100px | Doug Hurley]] | (1966–) | Crew Dragon Demo-2 (first Astronaut crew into orbit aboard commercial vehicle, Commander) | title=Former NASA Astronauts to Receive Congressional Space Medal of Honor | url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/former-nasa-astronauts-to-receive-congressional-space-medal-of-honor | website=nasa.gov | date=30 January 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201194937/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/former-nasa-astronauts-to-receive-congressional-space-medal-of-honor/ | archive-date=2023-02-01 | id=MEDIA ADVISORY M23-011}} | ||||
| [[File:Robert_L._Behnken_in_2018.jpg | 100px | Bob Behnken]] | (1970–) | Crew Dragon Demo-2 (first Astronaut crew into orbit aboard commercial vehicle, Pilot) |
References
References
- DoDI 1348.33, Dec. 21, 2016, Change 5, Apr. 9, 2021, Sec. 11: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/134833p.pdf
- DoDI 1348.33, Dec. 21, 2016, Change 5, Apr. 9, 2021, Sec. 11(a)
- (April 28, 2006). "Congressional Space Medal of Honor". NASA.
- (August 2015). "Neil Armstrong and Getting to the Moon". Capstone.
- "International Space Hall of Fame :: New Mexico Museum of Space History :: Inductee Profile".
- "International Space Hall of Fame :: New Mexico Museum of Space History :: Inductee Profile".
- (4 June 2012). "President Obama Awards John Glenn with Medal of Freedom - SpaceNews.com".
- (2013-04-03). "Gus Grissom: Remembering NASA's 'Forgotten' Astronaut".
- "International Space Hall of Fame :: New Mexico Museum of Space History :: Inductee Profile".
- "National Space Grant Distinguished Service Award - 2007 {{!}} National Space Grant Foundation".
- (27 June 2005). "Moon Rock to be Awarded to Apollo-Soyuz Astronaut Thomas Stafford".
- (July 27, 1995). "Real-Life Apollo Astronaut Wins Medal". Pensacola News Journal.
- (3 December 1996). "1st Woman Wins Space Medal of Honor".
- "William J. Clinton: Remarks on Presenting the Congressional Space Medal of Honor Posthumously to Roger B. Chaffee and Edward H. White II".
- "International Space Hall of Fame :: New Mexico Museum of Space History :: Inductee Profile".
- (2010). "Exploring Space: The High Frontier". Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- (10 June 2016). "Ilan Ramon took tragic reminders, hope into space".
- (2015-01-28). "Our SpaceFlight Heritage: 29th anniversary of Challenger disaster - SpaceFlight Insider".
- "Former astronaut Robert Crippen is honored".
- (30 January 2023). "Former NASA Astronauts to Receive Congressional Space Medal of Honor".
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