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This medal was part of the U.S. Navy's Distinguished Public Service award given to Dr. Charles S. Draper in December 1960. The award recognizes civilians who have made significant contributions to the U.S. Navy in a wide range of fields. Dr. Draper received the award for his work as Director of the Instrumentation Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which developed the inertial guidance system for the POLARIS missile, America's first submarine-launched ballistic missile. The inertial guidance system contained a number of innovations that gave the missile far more accuracy, lower weight, and greater reliability than originally anticipated. Dr. Draper also won this award in 1956. Dr. Draper donated a collection of his awards, including this medal, to the National Collection in 1974.

 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 Dimensions Overall: 7.9 × 3.8 × 0.5cm (3 1/8 × 1 1/2 × 3/16 in.)
Storage: 12.7 × 8.9 × 5.1cm (5 × 3 1/2 × 2 in.)
 Materials Copper Alloy
Gold plating
Synthetic Fabric
Adhesive
 Inventory Number A19800509000 Credit Line Gift of Dr. Charles S. Draper Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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