The Congressional Space Medal of Honor was authorized by the United States Congress in 1969 to recognise an astronaut who in the performance of his duties has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation and mankind." The award is a separate decoration from the Medal of Honor which is a military award for extreme bravery and gallantry in combat.
Although the Congressional Space Medal of Honor is a civilian award of the United States government, it is authorized for wear on military uniforms due to the prestige of the decoration. In such cases, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor is worn as a ribbon following all United States military decorations.
RECIPIENTS
As of 2004, 27 astronauts have been honored with the award, which is presented by the President of the United States
1978 Neil Armstrong - The first man to set foot on the moon (July 20, 1969)
1978 Frank Borman
1978 Charles "Pete" Conrad
1978 John Glenn - Made the first orbital rocket-powered flight by a US astronaut in 1962
1978 Virgil "Gus" Grissom (posthumous)
1978 Alan Shepard - made the first United States' suborbital rocket-powered flight in 1961
1981 John W. Young
1993 Thomas P. Stafford
1995 James Lovell
1996 Shannon Lucid
1997 Roger Chaffee (posthumous)
1997 Edward White (posthumous)
2003 William Shepherd
2004 Rick Husband (posthumous)
2004 Willie McCool (posthumous)
2004 Michael P. Anderson (posthumous)
2004 Kalpana Chawla (posthumous)
2004 David M. Brown (posthumous)
2004 Laurel Clark (posthumous)
2004 Ilan Ramon (posthumous)
2004 Dick Scobee (posthumous)
2004 Michael Smith (posthumous)
2004 Judith Resnik (posthumous)
2004 Ellison Onizuka (posthumous)
2004 Ronald McNair (posthumous)
2004 Greg Jarvis (posthumous)
2004 Christa McAuliffe (posthumous)
