This medal was part of the University of Missouri Honor Award for Distinguished Service in Engineering given to Dr. Charles Stark Draper on March 17, 1962. The award is presented to individuals for exceptional efforts in fostering the professional development of young engineering graduates, exceptional abilities in the planning of significant projects in technical engineering, or exceptional contributions to technical engineering knowledge. Dr. Draper received the award for his outstanding contributions in the field of instrumentation and controls, his development of gyroscopes and inertial guidance systems, and his long service in the field of engineering education. Dr. Draper donated a collection of his awards, including this medal, to the National Collection in 1974.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.