Pioneers

of National Reconnaissance

2013
2 Pioneer Recognition Program
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2013

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, Director of National Reconnaissance, Ms. Betty Sapp, selected Mr. William Montgomery and 

Dr. Donald Simkins, whose innovations in pointing accuracy and geo-location processing, respectively, 

represented major breakthroughs that dramatically improved the accuracy of intelligence targeting from space.

Their complimentary “pointing” work is a model for how to use imagination to overcome technical 

challenges. It also is a metaphor for how the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), over the past twentyfive 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 Montgomery and Simkins. 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 medallions that 

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

to read about Mr. Montgomery and Dr. Simkins 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

2013
4 Pioneer Recognition Program

Mr. William G. Montgomery
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Mr. William G. Montgomery pioneered precision control and pointing accuracies for 

a new generation national system that enhanced volume, resolution, and accuracy in 

imagery intelligence collection for the USG. He also led the application of precision 

sensing and control instruments and advanced systems engineering methods to 

balance performance contributions from multiple space and ground segments.

Career in National Reconnaissance: 1968 - 1992
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Dr. Donald N. Simkins
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Dr. Donald N. Simkins pioneered the development of processing techniques that 

allowed the dramatic advancement of geo-location algorithms. His accomplishments 

include the first precise model of the signal path, long-term coherency, and automated 

techniques that expanded and improved the collection, exploitation and display of 

target information.

Career in National Reconnaissance: 1975 - Present
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The Pioneers of 

National Reconnaissance
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2012

Dr. Robert P. O’Donnell

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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For complete launch coverage, visit http://msc

NROL-39 VANDENBERG DECEMBER 5, 2013

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO Launch, NROL-39,

11:14 PST, 5 December 2013
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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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Pioneer Hall

National Reconnaissance Office

Chantilly, Virginia 
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2013
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NRO| MSC

14-36098