Roy D. Bridges, Jr., Director of NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center
(KSC), was awarded an honorary doctorate of engineering degree from Purdue
University during commencement exercises on May 12 at West Lafayette, Ind.
Bridges, a 1966 graduate of Purdue, was named KSC Director in March
1997. Prior to this position, he served in the U. S. Air Force, retiring
with the rank of Major General in July 1996.
Bridges served in several key space-related roles throughout his
military career. Prior to his last assignment as director of requirements,
Headquarters Air Force Material Command, at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, he
served as commander, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, Calif.,
commander, Eastern Space and Missile Center, Patrick AFB, Fla., and
commander, 6510th Test Wing, Edwards AFB, Calif.
He was selected to the NASA astronaut corps in 1980 and served as pilot of
Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-51F in July 1985.
Throughout his career, Bridges has received numerous awards and honors. He
is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal; Defense Superior
Service Medal with oak leaf cluster ; Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster;
Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 oak leaf clusters; Meritorious Service
Medal; Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal;
NASA Space Flight Medal; NASA Certificate of Commendation; and most
recently, the Dr. Kurt H. Debus Award.
Bridges was a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado
Springs, Colo., where he earned a bachelor degree in engineering science in
1965. He received a master’s degree in astronautical engineering from
Purdue University. Also, he was the top graduate of the Air Force Test
Pilot School in 1971.
Bridges was born in Atlanta Ga., but grew up in Gainesville, Ga. He and his
wife, Benita, currently reside in Cocoa Beach, Fla.
