NASA Exceptional Service Medal, Type I
Title: NASA Exceptional Service Medal, Type I
Accession #: NHHC 1988-101-B
Circa: 1960's
Size:
Medium: Metal, Fabric
Location: Headquarters Artifact Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command
One Type I NASA Exceptional Service Medal. The medal is sterling silver. The obverse planchet bears the official seal of NASA with "National Aeronautics and Space Administration / U.S.A." stamped around the rim. The reverse has a relief image of oak branches around the rim with "Exceptional Service" in raised letters at the top. The planchet is attached with a suspension ring to a tapered ribbon. The colors of the ribbon are azure blue, white, sky blue, and Navy blue. The pin and clasp is sewn to the ribbon.
NASA, as its current organization, was created in 1958. This medal design was used from 1958 to 1961 when the current awards for NASA were created. The seal for NASA was created by James J. Modarelli in the summer of 1958 and used for formal documentation. Informally called the "Meatball" design, the NASA insignia was also created by Modarelli and was approved in 1959.
