This medal was awarded to Dr. Charles Stark Draper by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and its daughter group, the Automatic Control Division, in 1971. In 1968, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers established the award in Rufus Oldenburger's name to honor his achievements in the field of Automatic Control. Dr. Draper contributed to the field of Automatic Control through gyroscopes of his own design employed in navigation systems on earth and in space. The Award recognizes someone who embodies the spirit of Rufus Oldenburger through education, research, development, innovation, and service to the field and profession.
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.