This medal was part of the United States Air Force Exceptional Civilian Service award given to Dr. Charles Stark Draper in 1967. The award recognizes exceptionally distinguished service and accomplishments with significant Air Force-wide impact and is the highest award granted to a civilian. As set forth in the accompanying citation, Dr. Draper received the award for his service from 1962-1967 as a member of the Division Advisory Group, Ballistic Systems Command and his contributions to "assuring United States ballistic missile systems superiority." Dr. Draper also received this award in 1951, 1960, and 1969. 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.