Pioneers

of National Reconnaissance

2016
2 Pioneer Recognition Program 
Supra Et Ultra 2016 3

Supr a Et Ultr a

2016

Pioneers 

of National Reconnaissance
4 Pioneer Recognition Program 
Supra Et Ultra 2016 5

October 2017

The National Reconnaissance Pioneer Program recognizes and honors 

individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to national 

reconnaissance—pioneering contributions that were innovative, remarkable, 

and changed the direction and scope of the discipline and its practice. It is the 

highest honor in the field of national reconnaissance. 

For the Pioneer Class of 2016, the Director of National Reconnaissance, Ms. Betty 

Sapp, selected Mr. Thomas R. Reinehr, whose innovation in developing concepts, 

algorithms, and operational solutions resulted in the production of high-quality, 

unique collection capabilities that provided daily intelligence products required by 

both tactical warfighters and strategic decision makers.

The October 2017 Pioneer Recognition Ceremony formally inducts Mr. Reinehr, 

the NRO’s 2016 Pioneer honoree, into NRO’s Pioneer Hall. Pioneer Hall is a 

collection of commemorative medallions, one for each of NRO’s Pioneers of 

National Reconnaissance. The medallions serve as enduring tributes to the 

pioneers’ trailblazing contributions to the discipline of national reconnaissance. 

This booklet includes the words that appear on Mr. Reinehr’s medallion and 

briefly explains the nature of Pioneer Reinehr’s specific contribution. Mr. 

Reinehr’s medallion now joins the other 92 medallions that commemorate the 

contributions of Pioneers from previous classes. When you visit Pioneer Hall, I 

encourage you to review the citations on the medallions to gain a sense of the 

scope of the Pioneers’ contributions and the lasting impact they had on the NRO 

and our nation’s national security.

Robert A. McDonald, PhD.

Director, Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance

Foreword
6 Pioneer Recognition Program 

Mr. Thomas R. Reinehr
Supra Et Ultra 2016 7

In the 1990s–2000, Mr. Thomas R. Reinehr pioneered the development of 

concepts and algorithms, the “Reinehr Combiner”, and other operational 

processing solutions that advanced the development of generations of imaging 

systems. These innovative technologies enabled vital missions to provide 

tactical warfighters, and strategic decision makers, with expanded imagery 

intelligence to address evolving threats.

Period of Pioneering Contribution: 1992–2000

Medallion Citation
8 Pioneer Recognition Program 

During the 1990s through 2000, Mr. Reinehr developed innovative operational 

processing solutions, associated calibration techniques, and novel methods for 

processing imagery. During the Pioneer Recognition Ceremony for his induction 

into NRO’s Pioneer Hall, he is to be presented with a commemorative plaque 

that contains an expanded citation, which states:

“In the 1990s through early 2000, Mr. Thomas R. Reinehr pioneered 

the development of concepts and algorithms that came to be known 

as the “Reinehr Combiner,” as well as other innovative operational 

processing solutions, calibration techniques, and novel methods for 

producing high-quality special imagery. These technologies have had 

applications in multiple generations of imaging systems, and enabled 

vital imaging operations over high priority targets for the rapid and 

timely assessment of enemy deployments. Mr. Reinehr’s pioneering 

contributions added to existing imaging capabilities, and enabled 

new missions to address evolving threats and provide the tactical 

warfighter and strategic decision maker with expanded intelligence 

products on a daily basis.”

Mr. Reinehr currently is employed by Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, 

where he is a principal engineering fellow and continues his work in systems 

engineering. Mr. Reinehr grew up in Mt. Blanchard, Ohio, and he holds a 

bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Toledo, and an 

MS degree in electrical engineering from the University of California, Irvine.

Career in National Reconnaissance: 1988–2017

Thomas R. Reinehr
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2016

Thomas R. Reinehr

2015

L. Porter Davis

2014

Thomas C. “Chris” Fitzsimmons

John. R Stavlo

2013

William G. Montgomery

Donald N. Simkins, Ph.D.

2012

Robert P. O’Donnell, Ph.D.

2011

Thomas A. Brackey

Joseph J. Eash III, Col, USAF (Ret)

Michael N. Parker, Ph.D.

John W. Shipley, Ph.D.

Richard C. Van Wagoner

2010

Robert H. Dumais

Jack A. Gibbs, Brig Gen, USAF (Ret)

Richard J. Randazzo, Col, 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)

Pioneers of National Reconnaissance
1 0 Pioneer Recognition Program 

Pioneer Hall

National Reconnaissance Office

Chantilly, Virginia 
Supra Et Ultra 2016 1 1
NRO| MSC

18-65391