This ribbon 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 ribbon, 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
3-D: 3.7 × 0.5 × 0.3cm (1 7/16 × 3/16 × 1/8 in.)
Storage: 8.9 × 5.7 × 5.1cm (3 1/2 × 2 1/4 × 2 in.)
Materials
Copper Alloy
Synthetic Fabric
Adhesive
Inventory Number
A19800509001
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Charles Draper
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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