1st African American In Space Gets Ohio Service Medal

WESTLAKE, OH — Col. Guion Bluford received the Ohio Distinguished Service Medal Thursday morning. Bluford was the first African American astronaut to travel into space. He accomplished the feat in 1983.

Bluford, who lives in Westlake, flew 144 combat missions in South Vietnam, as a pilot for the U.S. Air Force. He then earned a master's degree and doctorate degree in aerospace engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. After graduating, he entered NASA.

In 1983, he became the first African American astronaut to enter space.

"Your commitment and dedication over the course of your career in aviation are a tremendous inspiration to generations of Ohioans," said Governor Mike DeWine during the medal presentation at the Ohio Statehouse. "As NASA prepares for future missions to space, the next generation of astronauts will be looking to follow in your footsteps."

The Ohio Distinguished Service Medal is Ohio's highest non-combat decoration for service.