Pioneers

of National Reconnaissance

2014
2 Pioneer Recognition Program
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2014

Pioneers 

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, Ms. Betty Sapp, selected Mr. 

Chris Fitzsimmons and Mr. John Stavlo, whose innovations in lightweight optical and 

structural design and precision pointing and tracking control, respectively, represent 

major breakthroughs that dramatically improved the ability of the NRO to collect 

vital intelligence from space. Their separate, but complementary accomplishments 

are models for how to use imagination to overcome technical challenges. It also is 

a metaphor for how the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), over the past fifty 

three years, has been able to focus U.S. space intelligence assets more precisely on 

the country’s most critical national security targets.This year’s Pioneers, like those 

inducted in previous classes, have employed creative techniques and processes to 

accomplish the NRO’s essential mission. 

This booklet summarizes the specific contributions of Pioneers Fitzsimmons and 

Stavlo. In Pioneer Hall you will find their medallions, which serve as permanent 

acknowledgement of their enduring contributions to the discipline of national 

reconnaissance. These two new medallions join the other 89 that commemorate those 

Pioneers we recognized in previous years. When you visit Pioneer Hall, I encourage 

you to read about Mr. Fitzsimmons and Mr. Stavlo and the other Pioneers to learn 

how their contributions have made a lasting impact on the NRO and the nation’s 

security.

Robert A. McDonald, PhD.

Director, Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance
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National Reconnaissance Pioneers

2014
4 Pioneer Recognition Program

Mr. Thomas C. “Chris” 

Fitzsimmons
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Mr. Thomas C. “Chris” Fitzsimmons pioneered the development, production, and test 

of lightweight optical and structural components that eliminated a significant amount 

of weight from the large aperture, heavy optical subsystem used in the Nation’s 

electro-optical imagery reconnaissance satellites, with no reduction in image quality. 

The technological breakthroughs and processes he pioneered are the key enablers of 

our currently flying high-resolution EO collection capabilities and remain in practice 

today. 

Career in National Reconnaissance: 1966 - 1998
6 Pioneer Recognition Program

Mr. John R. Stavlo
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Mr. John R. Stavlo pioneered the design and implementation of a first-of-a-kind 

precision pointing and tracking control system. To overcome the challenge of 

extending conventional attitude control concepts and development tools, he devised 

an innovative solution involving simulations with high-fidelity dynamic models 

and test beds with engineering model hardware operating in a closed loop mode. 

Mr. Stavlo’s design and techniques represent a quantum leap in SIGINT collection 

sensitivity.

Career in National Reconnaissance: 1978 - 2007
8 Pioneer Recognition Program

The Pioneers

 of 

National Reconnaissance
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9

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)
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NROL-39

“The NROL-39 was the second of two National Reconnaissance (NRO) launches in 

2013. The photograph shows the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifting off 

from Space Launch Complex-3E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. In addition 

to the main, classified, NRO payload, the rocket carried into orbit the Government 

Experimental Multi-Satellite (GEMSat) rideshare payload on a specially designed 

Aft Bulkhead Carrier, located on the aft section of the Atlas V Centaur upper stage. The 

GEMSat deployed 12 experimental CubeSats, or “nano-satellites,” seven sponsored by 

the NRO and five sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.”
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NROL-39 VANDENBERG DECEMBER 5, 2013

National Reconnaissance Office

NRO Launch, NROL-39,

11:14 PST, 5 December 2013
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Pioneer Hall

National Reconnaissance Office

Chantilly, Virginia 
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NRO| MSC

15-42525