The Good

RICHARD HARRISON (DICK) TRULY, Vice Admiral, USN

BORN: November 12, 1937

EDUCATION: Attended schools in Fayette and high school in Meridian, Mississippi; received a bachelor of aeronautical engineering degree from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1959.

SPECIAL HONORS: Decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merit, Navy Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Meritorious Service Award. His NASA awards include the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, two NASA Space Flight Medals, and two NASA Exceptional Service Medals. He is also the recipient of the Air Force Association’s David C. Shilling Award (1978), Society of Experimental Test Pilot’s Ivan C. Kincheloe Award (1978), the American Astronautical Society’s Flight Achievement Award (1977), the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Haley Space Flight Award (1980), the Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy (1982), the Thomas D. White Space Trophy (1982), the Robert J. Collier Trophy (1982), the Harmon International Trophy (1982), the Federation Aeronautique Internationale Gold Space Medal (1984), the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Eagle Scout Award , and the Medal of Honor of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Nota Bene:
Dick was my Senior Patrol Leader in Boy Scout Troup 2 which met at the Central Methodist Church in '51 and '52. I was a patrol leader for the Crow patrol. I'm sure I speak for all who knew him when I tell you that he was an inspiring leader to us then — and to the rest of our country later. I find it shameful that I can find nothing about him in the Meridian Star archives.