I was very fortunate to have been on Rogers Dry Lake at Edwards AFB on the day that Crippen and Young arrived on the lakebed in STS-1. The landing happened so quickly that I was astonished. From the twin sonic booms overhead to the touchdown on the lake seemed almost instantaneous — but I shall never forget it. I purchased a button from a lakebed entrepreneur that said “I SAW A SPACESHIP LAND ON EARTH.”I attached the button to my old cowboy hat that I wore in the desert sun. I still have that button somewhere . . .
Commander John Young received his award in 1981, and Crippen’s award was overdue in my opinion. Congratulations Bob Crippen!
NASA — First Shuttle Pilot Crippen Gets Congressional Space Medal of Honor
Former NASA astronaut Bob Crippen, pilot on the first space shuttle mission in 1981, has been honored with the nation’s highest award for spaceflight achievement, the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
Yesterday evening, at a gala celebrating the 25th anniversary of the first Space Shuttle mission, Robert Crippen became the 28th astronaut in history to be awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
The surprise presentation by NASA Administrator Michael Griffin was made before the gathered audience at the National Air and Space Museum, including Crippen’s STS-1 commander and 1981 medal recipient John Young.
“This medal, awarded by the Congress of the United States, commemorates publicly what all of us who know Bob Crippen already understood: he is an authentic American hero,” said Griffin.
“It was such a surprise. I am totally overwhelmed,” said Crippen in a statement released after the ceremony. “Just look at the names of the people who are on the list. They are heroes in the truest sense of the word and I can’t believe someone would think to include me in such distinguished company. I’m so honored.”
The award commends astronauts whose efforts in space exemplify actions of tremendous benefit to mankind. The medal, which has also been given to astronauts who died in the line of duty, was last presented in 2004 to the crew of STS-107. The award was first given in 1978 to astronauts Neil Armstrong, Frank Borman, Pete Conrad, John Glenn, Alan Shepard, and posthumously to Virgil “Gus” Grissom.