Governor Mike DeWine
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 20, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
Jill Del Greco: 614-644-0957

Governor DeWine Presents?
Ohio Distinguished Service Medal

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)? This morning, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine presented the?Ohio Distinguished Service Medal to Col. Guion Bluford, United States Air Force (Retired), for his lifetime achievements in service to the state and nation.?

Col. Bluford, of Westlake, flew 144 combat missions in South Vietnam as a pilot in the United States Air Force. He went on to earn a master's degree and doctorate degree in aerospace engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Col. Bluford later entered the space program at NASA and became first African American astronaut to travel to space in 1983.

"Your commitment and dedication over the course of your career in aviation are a tremendous inspiration to generations of Ohioans," said Governor DeWine during the medal presentation at the Ohio Statehouse today. "As NASA prepares for future missions to space, the next generation of astronauts will be looking to follow in your footsteps."

The Ohio Distinguished Service Medal is Ohio's highest non-combat decoration for service.

Distinguished Service Ceremony for Col. BlufordDistinguished Service Ceremony for Col. BlufordDistinguished Service Medal

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