claim: Bala has received recognition.
evidence: Brian O'Brien , Ph.D. was an optical physicist and `` the founder of the Air Force Studies Board and its chairman for 12 years .. Dr. O'Brien received numerous awards , including the Medal for Merit , the nation 's highest civilian award , for his work on optics in World War II and the Frederic Ives Medal in 1951 .. World War II. World War II. Circa 1966 he `` chaired an ad hoc committee under the USAF Science Advisory Board -LRB- AFSAB -RRB- looking into the UFO problem '' .. USAF. USAF. UFO. UFO. He also had steering power over National Academy of Sciences -LRB- NAS -RRB- projects , Project Blue Book , and helped pave the way for the Condon Committee .. National Academy of Sciences. United States National Academy of Sciences. Project Blue Book. Project Blue Book. Condon Committee. Condon Committee