Pioneer

of National Reconnaissance

2012
2 Pioneer Recognition Program
Supra Et Ultra 2012 1

2012

Pioneer 

of National Reconnaissance
2 Pioneer Recognition Program

The National Reconnaissance Pioneer Program recognizes and honors individuals who have made 

significant and lasting contributions to national reconnaissance — pioneering contributions that were 

innovative and have changed the direction and scope of the discipline and its practice. It is the highest honor 

in the field of national reconnaissance.

This year, the Director of National Reconnaissance (DNRO), Betty Sapp, selected Dr. Robert P. O’Donnell, 

who pioneered the development of complex technical capabilities that enabled breakthroughs in the NRO’s 

ability to collect intelligence. 

In a 1955 issue of Life magazine there is a reported Albert Einstein quote, “The important thing is not to 

stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” Dr. O’Donnell and those Pioneers inducted in 

previous classes have demonstrated how questioning the ways of the past with a focus on the future have 

resulted in developing innovative approaches to overcome the challenges of the present. As a result, Dr. 

O’Donnell and the Pioneers of National Reconnaissance have employed imaginative techniques and processes 

to better enable intelligence collection.

This booklet summarizes the specific contributions of Pioneer O’Donnell. In Pioneer Hall you will find 

Dr. O’Donnell’s medallion that serves as a permanent acknowledgement of his enduring contributions to 

the discipline of national reconnaissance. His medallion joins the other medallions that commemorate 

those Pioneers we recognized in previous years. As you view Pioneer Hall, I encourage you to read about Dr. 

O’Donnell and the other Pioneers to learn how their contributions have made a lasting impact on the NRO 

and national security.

 Robert A. McDonald, PhD.

Director, Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance
Supra Et Ultra 2012 3

National Reconnaissance Pioneer

2012
4 Pioneer Recognition Program

Dr. Robert P. O’Donnell
Supra Et Ultra 2012 5

Dr. Robert P. O’Donnell pioneered the development of unique, complex precision 

structures and mechanisms that enabled dramatic breakthroughs in the ability 

to collect critically important signals and imagery intelligence from space. He 

developed analysis and simulation techniques which made possible the precision 

pointing and flexible structure deployment and control of a new generation of 

collection satellites.

Career in National Reconnaissance: 1972 - Present
6 Pioneer Recognition Program

The Pioneers of 

National Reconnaissance
Supra Et Ultra 2012 7

2011

Thomas A. Brackey

Col Joseph J. Eash III, USAF (Ret)

Michael N. Parker, Ph.D.

John W. Shipley, Ph.D.

Richard C. Van Wagoner

2010

Robert H. Dumais

Brig Gen Jack A. Gibbs, USAF (Ret)

Col Richard J. Randazzo, USAF (Ret)

2009

James P. Campbell, Ph.D.

Lacy G. Cook

Michael F. Maguire

2008

Raymond E. Anderson, Col, USAF (Ret)

Howard G. Brotherton

Hilliard W. Paige, Sr.

2007

Paul G. Kaminski

Sun Yet Wong

2006

Ingard M. Clausen

Fred V. Hellrich

David L. Klinger, Ph.D.

Jane A. Wood

2005

Robert E. Eisenhauer

Roger C. Marsh

Edward A. Miller, Ph.D.

Wayne L. Proffitt

2004

M. Sam Araki

Harvey Cohen, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)

Robert G. Kaemmerer

James W. McAnally

2003

Carl L. Ferdensi, Jr.

David Raspet, Col, USAF (Ret)

James W. Stoner, Ph.D.

Charles C. Tevis

2002 

Vance D. Coffman, Ph.D. 

Lee M. Hammarstrom 

Robert L. Paulson, Col, USAF (Ret)

2001

Donald L. Cromer, Lt Gen, USAF (Ret) 

A.J. (Tony) Iorillo 

Vincent S. Rose 

John Walton 

2000 

James G. Baker, Ph.D. 

C. Lee Battle, Jr., Col, USAF (Ret)

John T. Bennett 

John W. Browning, Col USAF (Ret) 

Jon H. Bryson, Col, USAF (Ret) 

A. Roy Burks 

Frank S. Buzard, Col, USAF (Ret) 

Cornelius W. “Connie” Chambers 

John O. Copley, Col, USAF (Ret) 

Robert H. Crotser 

John J. Crowley 

James C. de Broekert

Gary S. Geyer, Col, USAF (Ret) 

Thomas O. Haig, Col, USAF (Ret) 

Frederick H. Kaufman 

Robert J. Kohler 

Ellis E. Lapin 

Lloyd K. Lauderdale, Ph.D. 

Richard S. Leghorn, Col, USAF (Ret)

Walter J. Levison 

Howard O. Lorenzen 

Frank J. Madden 

James T. Mannen, Col, USAF (Ret) 

Paul W. Mayhew, Ph.D. 

Reid D. Mayo 

James E. Morgan 

Mark N. Morton 

Alden V. Munson, Jr. 

Charles L. Murphy, Col, USAF (Ret) 

Frederic C.E. “Fritz” Oder, Col, USAF (Ret)

John Parangosky

Julius P. “Val” Peline, Ph.D. 

Robert M. Powell 

Edward H. Reese 

Osmond J. “Ozzie” Ritland, 

Major General, USAF (Ret) 

Lee W. Roberts, Col, USAF (Ret) 

Charles R. “Charlie” Roth 

Robert W. “Rob” Roy, Col, USAF (Ret) 

Charles P. Spoelhof 

Forrest H. Stieg 

Marvin S. Stone, Ph.D. 

Don F. Tang 

Albert D. “Bud” Wheelon, Ph.D. 

Peter G. Wilhelm 

Roy H. Worthington, Col, USAF (Ret) 

Robert W. Yundt, Col, USAF (Ret)
8 Pioneer Recognition Program

Pioneer Hall

National Reconnaissance Office

Chantilly, Virginia 
Supra Et Ultra 2012 9
1 0 Pioneer Recognition Program

NRO| MSC

13-28262