Pioneers in Space Awards

 

 
Pioneers in Space Medal
The UDC presents Pioneer in Space Awards to individuals who are lineal descendants of Confederate Soldiers or Sailors. 
Posthumous awards are permitted.

Description: The bronze medal is in the shape of a spaceship and in relief depicts the Earth in the foreground with the moon (or sun) with several stars. The Flag of the United States of America and the First National Flag of the Confederacy appear prominently in the center of the medal. The words “Pioneers in Space” are located at the top of the medal which is suspended from a sky blue ribbon by the intertwined initials, UDC. The words “United Daughters of the Confederacy” are at the very bottom of the medal at the base of the spaceship design. 

The criteria is as follows: 
Pioneers in Space Medal to those who have flown in space as a part of the U.S. Space Program 

Pioneers in Space Certificate for Technical Achievement to those who have made significant contributions to the U.S. Space Program but who have not flown in space. 

"It is with an iron will that they embark on the most daring of all endeavors . . . .
to meet the shadowy future without fear and conquer the unknown."
-- Ferdinand Magellan, ca. 1520

The below list of names are the only individuals in the world who have received the Pioneers in Space Medal from the UDC.


Photo Name Medal Number
Charles Moss Duke, Jr.
Duke, Charles Moss, Jr.
Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
2
David Mathieson Walker
Walker, David Mathieson
Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Deceased
3
William Edgar Thornton, Jr.
Thornton, William Edgar, Jr., M.D.
U.S. Air Force
4
Michael John Smith
Smith, Michael John
Captain, U.S. Navy
Deceased - Space Shuttle Challenger
5
Norman Earl Thagard
Thagard, Norman Earl, M.D.
U.S. Marine Corps
6
Henry W. Hartsfield, Jr.
Hartsfield, Henry W., Jr.
U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
7
Margaret Rhea Seddon
Seddon, Margaret Rhea, M.D.
8
Robert Lee Stewart
Stewart, Robert Lee
Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Ret.)
9
Richard Harrison Truly
Truly, Richard Harrison
Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
11
Curtis Lee Brown, Jr.
Brown, Curtis Lee, Jr.
Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
15
William Reid Pogue
Pogue, William Reid
Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
16
William Surles McArthur, Jr.
McArthur, William Surles, Jr.
Colonel, U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
18
Jon Andrew McBride
McBride, Jon Andrew
Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
22
Susan Steel Kilrain
Kilrain, Susan Steel
Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
26
No photo
available
Shariett, Charles Allen, III
27
Kenneth Dale Cockrell
Cockrell, Kenneth Dale
U.S. Navy Reserves (Ret.)
32
Crippen, Robert Laurel
Captain, US Navy, Retired
33

 

Note: Several medals have been presented to museums as well as the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL
and the Johnston Space Center in Houston, TX.

For more information on the Pioneers in Space Medal contact
Lynna Kay Shuffield

Return to the Texas Division UDC Homepage