The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) presented former Secretary of
Defense Robert S. McNamara with the organization's highest award, the
NRO Medal of Distinguished Performance. Mr. McNamara received the award in recognition of his lasting and critical contributions to the nation's
intelligence capabilities.
Mr. Keith Hall, NRO Director, presented McNamara with the award during ceremonies at NRO headquartes in Chantilly, VA on May 10. The NRO is celebrating its 40th Anniversary year through a series of events between September 2000 and 2001. McNamara established the National Reconnaissance Program and the NRO while serving as Secretary of Defense.
"He recognized the critical importance of overhead reconnaissance and empowered the NRO to take on the extraordinary technical challenges that it presented," said Keith Hall during the award ceremony. "As a result, the NRO became a risk-taking organization that continues to lead the world in unparalleled technological innovations and capabilities."
