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Jim McCulla
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                        January 19, 1993
(Phone:  202/358-1600)

RELEASE:  93-14

STAFFORD RECEIVES CONGRESSIONAL SPACE MEDAL OF HONOR

	Thomas P. Stafford, a pioneer NASA astronaut who commanded 
the first flight of the lunar module to the moon as well as the 
American crew that rendezvoused with a Soviet spacecraft in 1975 to 
improve relations between the two nations, was awarded the 
Congressional Space Medal of Honor today at the direction of 
President Bush. 

	The award -- the highest that can be given for space exploration 
-- was presented by Vice President Quayle at a ceremony in the Old 
Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C.

	"This is the greatest honor of my life.  I am very proud to have 
contributed to our nation's future in space and I am deeply grateful for 
the opportunity to have participated in the beginning of America's 
venture into the new and endless frontier," said Stafford who retired 
from the Air Force as a lieutenant general in 1979.

	The citation that accompanied the medal lauds the NASA 
pioneer for "exceptional meritorious efforts and contributions to the 
welfare of the nation and mankind."

	"He continues to serve the nation in charting a future vision for 
our space program.

	"From the infancy of the United States space program, through 
its unprecedented achievements, to its extraordinary future potential 
for mankind, Lieutenant General Thomas P. Stafford, USAF (Retired), 
has left an enduring legacy."

	Stafford flew both the Gemini VI and IX missions in 1965 and 
1966, during which he developed rendezvous principles and 
techniques that remain in use today.

	On Apollo 10, he commanded the first flight of the lunar module 
to the moon and performed the first rendezvous and docking in lunar 
orbit.  During that mission Stafford and Eugene Cernan descended to 
within 8 miles of the Moon's surface, setting the stage for the first 
lunar landing in July. 

	Completing his service with NASA in 1975, Stafford returned to 
the Air Force to assume command of the Air Force Flight Test Center 
at Edwards, Calif.  He subsequently served as Deputy Chief of Staff for 
Research Development and Acquisition, during which he was 
instrumental in the development of major weapons systems that 
remain critical to national security.

	Stafford personally directed the start of the F-117A Stealth 
Fighter program.  In early 1979, he personally wrote the initial 
specifications for the B-2 bomber and started that program. 

	In 1990, the Vice President and NASA Administrator asked 
Stafford to chair a team to independently advise NASA on how to 
return to the Moon and send men on to explore Mars.  This study 
produced a report called "America at the Threshold," which is a 
roadmap for the next 30 years of U.S. manned space flight.  He 
currently serves as a member of the Vice President's Space Policy 
Advisory Board.