Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This lapel pin designates the wearer as a recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. This honor was awarded to NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong in 1978. The United States Congress authorized the creation of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1969 to recognize “any astronaut who in the performance of his or her duties has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious efforts and contributions to the welfare of the Nation and mankind.” The NASA Administrator nominates recipients for the Congressional award, which is then awarded by the sitting President. Armstrong, the first astronaut to set foot on the Moon during Apollo 11 in July 1969, was one of the first six recipients awarded the medal on October 1, 1978, by President Jimmy Carter. Like many other such awards, the medal comes with a small medallion, a lapel pin, and a ribbon bar in a special presentation case.

Following Armstrong's death in 2012, his sons Mark and Rick and their families donated the medal set to the Smithsonian Institution in 2019.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type AWARDS-Medals & Ribbons Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong
 Dimensions Overall: 1.4 × 1.9 × 1cm (9/16 × 3/4 × 3/8 in.)
 Materials Fabric, metal
 Inventory Number A20200012003 Credit Line Gift of Rick Armstrong and Mark Armstrong Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.