NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal
NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal
The NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal is a U.S. government award given by NASA. It recognizes individuals who, while facing danger, act to prevent the loss of human life or damage to U.S. government property during an emergency. The award is open to both government and non-government employees and is currently active. It was established on July 29, 1959.
The first six medals were awarded on May 8, 1963 by NASA Associate Director Dr. Robert Seamons to Paul J. Balfe, John A. Gordon, Larry J. Hough, Curtis C. Lyon, Charles L. Manes, and Lynn B. Rowe for their roles in rescuing NASA pilot Jack B. McKay after an X-15 incident in 1962 near Mud Lake, Nevada, where the aircraft flipped and an emergency landing was made amid dangerous fumes.
In 1969, the medal was awarded to Bill B. McClure and Charles J. "Jack" Beverlin for preventing the collapse and explosion of an Atlas rocket at great personal risk; a feature on Mars was later named after them.
Other recipients include Herbert W. Grandy (1970) and Paul D. Sebesta (1974). In 2005, 38 workers at the Michoud Assembly Facility received the medal for protecting the facility from flooding during Hurricane Katrina.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 05:25 (CET).