The NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal is a

NASA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the federal government of the United States, US federal government responsible for the United States ...

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. The first 6 medals were awarded and presented 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. On November 9, 1962, NASA pilot Jack B. McKay was test flying an

X-15 The North American X-15 is a Hypersonic speed, hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft which was operated by the United States Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the List of X-planes, X-plane series of ...

when it experienced engine failure. An emergency landing was made at Mud Lake, Nevada, where the aircraft flipped on its back. As part of the rescue crew, these 6 men worked to free McKay in the presence of lethal concentrations of unjettisoned anhydrous ammonia fuel, saving McKay's life. Exceptional Bravery Medals were awarded in 1969 to NASA engineers Bill B. McClure and Charles J. "Jack" Beverlin, who prevented the collapse and explosion of an Atlas rocket at great risk to their own lives. A feature on Mars was later named after them. Medals were also awarded to Herbert W. Grandy in 1970, and to Paul D. Sebesta in 1974. Subsequently, thirty eight workers at the

Michoud Assembly Facility The Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) is an industrial complex for the manufacture and assembly line, structural assembly of aerospace vehicles and components. It is owned by NASA and located in Eastern New Orleans, New Orleans East, a section of N ...

were awarded this medal for protecting the facility from flooding due to

Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina was a powerful, devastating and historic tropical cyclone that caused 1,392 fatalities and damages estimated at $125 billion in late August 2005, particularly in the city of New Orleans and its surrounding area. ...

in 2005.

References

John V. Becker, "The X-15 Program in Retrospect," 3rd Eugen Sänger Memorial Lecture, Bonn, Germany, Dec. 4–5, 1968, copy in the NASA Dryden Historical Reference Collection. Bradley E. Rowe, A Personal Interview with a Hero. Telephone conversation with Retired Colonel Lynn B. Rowe, USAF, November 17, 2017.

External links

NASA Document, X-15 Frontier of Flight.pdf

NASA Armstrong FactSheet

(Provo Herald Archives, Tuesday May 7, 1963.)

NASA document Agency Awards Historical Recipient List
NASA awards

(1969-1978) Awards and decorations of NASA, Exceptional Bravery Medal {{ODM-stub

See also

References

External links