Thagard was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in January 1978. In August 1979, he completed a one-year training and evaluation period, making him eligible for assignment as a mission specialist on future Space Shuttle flights. A veteran of five space flights, he logged over 140 days in space. In 1995, Thagard was the first American astronaut to blast off in a Soyuz spacecraft from Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome for a flight to the Mir space station. He also has been inducted in the Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2004. 

A native Floridian, Thagard received degrees from Florida State and also earned a degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. 

Dr. Thagard served his fellow veterans for close to 50 years, and then later as someone with the knowledge and expertise to navigate through bureaucratic processes for much needed and much deserved benefits. Through the years, his selfless efforts brought recognition from elected officials and senior leadership as well as the respect of his neighbors, family, and friends. A case in point was his nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic in making the Challenger Learning Center and IMAX Theater a reality for the countless numbers of students that would have their eyes opened to learning about science and technology.

Education and Training Accomplishments:

1965 Florida State University, Bachelor of Science, Engineering Science
1966 Florida State University, Earned Master of Science
1977 Graduate of the University of Texas, Earned Doctorate
1993 Russian Language School at the Defense Language Institute (DLI) on the Presidio at Monterey
1994 Space Training for First American Flight with Russia 1996 Johnson Space Center, NASA Astronaut
2004 Inducted into the Astronaut’s Hall of Fame 2004 2007 University of Florida, Earned Master of Science

Professional or Employment History:

Dr. Norman Earl Thagard’s professional and employment history is what one would read about in history books and consists of successes and accomplishments that young people dream about. From the beginnings of a hard-earned education to flying Marine F-4 Phantoms in the Vietnam War to becoming a surgical Doctor to becoming the first American Cosmonaut with several follow-on successive space missions, Dr. Thagard has virtually seen it all and done it all in his professional and humble fashion.

Dr. Thagard didn’t stop “wowing” the crowds with his fame but rather took his earned influence to create opportunities for young people to learn. One would have to go far and wide to find a more talented and dynamic model to emulate. The bottom line is that he continued to be the ambassador for good and inspiration. A brief history of his meager beginnings are:

• Thagard’s Fruit Market “bag boy” 1958
• Setzer’s Supermarket, Jacksonville 1959-1960
• Florida State University Physics Student Assistant 1961
• Florida State University Air Force ROTC
• WFSU-FM Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Services (as a Broadcast Announcer) 1965 to 1966
• GS-7 Physicist, U.S. Navy Mine Defense Laboratory (Panama City Beach, Florida) summer 1965
• Graduate Research Assistant (Florida State University) fall 1965 to 1966
• Marine Corps Officer Basic School at Quantico Completed basic jet training. Meridian, MS Completed Carrier Qualifications, U.S.S. Lexington Earned Naval Aviator Wings, February 1968
• Advanced jet training was completed in February 1968
• Designated a Naval Aviator on 29 February 1968
• Saufley Field Captain’s (Dean’s) List 1967
• United States Marine Corps Officer September 1966 to 28 February 1971
• Chu Lai, Vietnam military installation Base Engineering Officer
• While assigned to MAG-3 lin Vietnam aided with the transfer of a group of orphans to a site in the small city of Quang Ngai, located about 20 miles south of Chu Lai to a Christian Church in Quang Ngai, 1969
• Marine Air Base Squadron, MABS-13 Engineering officer 1967
• Engineer, City Public Service (San Antonio, Texas) June 1972 to August 1973
• Lab Assistant to Neurophysiology Professor (Southwestern Medical School) fall 1975 to spring 1977
• Intern in Internal Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston) 1 July 1977 to 30 June 1978
• Astronaut Program member of the 8th NASA Astronaut selection group on 10 July 1978 out of 208 finalists
• NASA Astronaut, Johnson Space Center (Houston, Texas) 10 July 1978 to 3 January 1996
• Professor of Electrical Engineering and Bernard F. Sliger Eminent Scholar Chairholder (Florida State University) 5 January 1996 to 31 December 2009
• Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of Advisors, Challenger Learning Center (Tallahassee, Florida) March 2003 to 31 December 2009
• Director of College Relations (FAMU-FSU College of Engineering) 5 January 1996 to 2004
• Associate Dean for College Relations (FAMU-FSU College of Engineering) 2004 to 31 December 2009
• Member, Board of Directors, EMS Technologies, Inc. (Atlanta, Georgia) 1998 to fall 2011
• Compensation Committee Chairman, EMS Technologies 2007 to fall 2011
• Member, Board of Directors, Entegrion, Inc. (Raleigh, North Carolina) 2007 to 2014
• GS-12 Civil Service level, then successively promoted, reaching GS- 15 in mid-1983.
• GS-15 (civilian) and 0-6 (military colonel) are the highest achievable levels in the astronaut program. Dr. Thagard, subsequently received “Step” increases at GS-15.
• Retired from FSU on January 2010, continuing as a corporate director for the two companies listed above.
• Published for compensation several design and construction articles on topics such as personal computers, audio amplifiers, and audio preamplifiers, June 1978-Present.

Advocacy on Behalf of Veterans:

Dr. Norman Thagard’s role as a Veteran Advocate is too extensive to list in the limited space of this nomination package so I will list his work in bullets to encompass the breadth and depth of his commitment. Dr. Thagard’s premier position of speaking to Veteran Service Organizations as a highly respected international figure and also to younger people throughout the United States gave him the pulpit to exude the inspiration of continued service to country. He has continued for 57 years to carry the torch for the United States Marine Corps in recruiting, and personnel self-improvement.

It would be near impossible to imagine the opportunities the Marine has taken to inspire and teach Veterans and Military Members about having purpose and working at goal achievement. He commanded the podium to lead others to excellence. Vision of purpose and following your heart gave hope to the tens of thousands he has influenced over his tenure in service to country. Credibility served as his foundation through performance to execution of the next hurdle. The level of achievement and the longevity of Norm Thagard’s service to veterans is remarkable by anyone’s measure. These astonishing accomplishments, to list a few, which served to inspire Veterans are:

• 1st American Cosmonaut to ride on board a Russian Space Vehicle, Soyuz TM-21 spacecraft for the Russian Mir-18 mission, 1995
• Flew on NASA Space Missions STS-7, STS-51B, STS-30, STS- 42, Soyuz TM-21, Mir EO-18, STS-71
• Keynote Speaker for the Tallahassee Marine Corps Ball.
• Keynote Speaker for the Marine Corps Ball in Meridian, MS
• Keynote Speaker for Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron VMFA-333 on several occasions
• Marine Corps League Advocate and Lifetime Member
• Member of the Board of Advisors for the Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB for over 20 years
• Evaluated and Examined Air Force training institutions for effectiveness and standards of requirements
• Advisor to Air Force Engineering Graduate School for accreditation in granting PhD’s in Aviation Engineering
• Advisor on exchange to Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA
• Has been a member of the Marine Corps League since 1996
• Life Member of the Marine Corps League

Civic Activities and Contributions:

As for Civic Activities and Contributions, Dr, Thagard has made literally hundreds of personal appearances, addressing civic groups such as Rotary Clubs, professional groups, as well as K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. A few specific examples:

• Co-Founder of the Challenger Learning Center
• Member of the Editorial Review Board of the Society for Human Performance in Extreme Environments
• Distinguished Lecturer for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronauts
• Advisor for Space Adventures, Ltd., a company offering aerospace experiences, including orbital flight
• Served as President of the Economic Club of Florida.
• Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra Board Member late 1990’s [Conducted the Orchestra in Concert in late 1990’s]
• Purdue University’s “Old Master’s Program” (West Lafayette, Indiana). Nov 1983

Member of Economic Club of Florida. Graduation Keynote Speaker:

• Florida State University 14 December 1985
• Queen’s College (Charlotte, N.C.) in late 1980’s
• Southwestern Medical School (Dallas, Texas) June 1996.
• FSU College of Medicine 26 May 2007.
• West Virginia Middle School Educators Convention (Huntington, W.V.) 1979
• American Legion Convention (Seattle, Washington, August 1983 o Orchestrated Medical Grand Rounds at Southwestern Medical School and the University of Florida’s College of Medicine (Gainesville)
• 223rd Anniversary Marine Corps Ball in November 1998 o Guest Speaker for the 8th Tank Battalion, Tallahassee

Awards and Honors:

Military Awards:

• Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”
• 11 Strike-Flight Air Medals
• RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm
• Viet Nam Campaign Service Medal
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
• National Defense Ribbon
• Designated VT-21 ’ s “Student of the Month”

Professional Awards:

• NASA Space Flight Medal (Five Awards) 24 June 1983, 6 May 1985, 8 May 1989, 30 January 1992, and 7 July 1995.
• 27 December 1991 Designation as Honorary Naval Astronaut (Pilot) by Commandant C. E. Mundy, CMC, USMC
• NASA Distinguished Service Medal (Two Awards) June 1992 and May 1996.
• NASA Exceptional Service Medal (Two Awards) April 1988 and June 1990.
• NASA Outstanding Performance Rating and (monetary) Sustained Superior Performance Award 19 December 1988.
• NASA Outstanding Performance Rating and (monetary) Performance Award 8 September 1992.
• Russian Federation Medal of Friendship (presented personally by Russian President Boris Yeltsin in a Kremlin ceremony, Moscow, Russia) 12 April 1996
• Hubertus Strughold Award (Aerospace Medical Association) Undated o Melbourne W. Boyton Award (American Astronautical Society) 1995 o Laurels Award (Aviation Week & Space Technology) 1995
• Hany G. Armstrong Lecture (Smith Kline Beecham Pharmaceuticals) 9 May 1996
• W. Randolph Lovelace Award (Society of NASA Flight Surgeons) 14 May 1997
• Named as NASA’s 15 “Superstars of Space Flight” (1996)

Civic Award and Honors:

• FSU Student Health Center renamed Norman E. Thagard Health Center, 1986
• Street in front of Paxon High School, (Jacksonville, Florida) renamed Norman E. Thagard Boulevard, 23 September 1998
• Honorary Citizen – New York City (Mayor Koch) August 1983.
• Jacksonville, Florida (Mayor Jake Godbolt) 1983.
• Leon County (Board of Leon County Commissioners) Undated.
• Abbeville, Alabama (Town Mayor) Undated.
• Florida Keys (Mayor Wilhelmina G. Harvey) Undated.
• Panama City, Panama (City Mayor) 1997.

Written narrative:

Dr. Thagard’s life is characterized by service. This service was exemplified through his untiring commitment to God, country, and fellow citizen. A humble man, through meager beginnings, Thagard volunteered to serve his country as a young man in Vietnam, flying combat missions. His patriotism did not end with his active duty service. For over 50 years he served the nation to shape and mature young men in the values that made our nation great. He is an untiring leader for the community and nation, serving countless veterans in many communities, and civic organizations. He led the way for the United States in space travel as the first American Cosmonaut. He has been recognized by several Presidents and foreign leaders for his contribution to manned space travel.

Norman Thagard always made it a point to honor those who served our country and those who paid the ultimate price for freedom. His leadership in modeling the way for young people and Veterans is literally unparalleled by any other person in this world. He provided testimony through countless speeches to all of hard work and application to succeed. His dogged determination in reaching his goals served as the challenge to the many successes of those who would follow him.

Norman Thagard served his fellow veterans for close to 50 years, and then later as someone with the knowledge and expertise to navigate through bureaucratic processes for much needed and much deserved benefits. Through the years, his selfless efforts brought recognition from elected officials and senior leadership as well as the respect of his neighbors, family, and friends. A case in point was his nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic in making the Challenger Learning Center and IMAX theater a reality for the countless numbers of students that would have their eyes opened to learning about science and technology.

Norman’s lifetime work for veteran advocacy is unwavering and lasting: he lived for service to God, Country, State, Local Community, and Fellow Man. You would have to travel far and search wide to find a more deserving candidate for the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame.

I have the distinct honor of knowing Dr. Thagard and watched his devotion to Veterans and Country. His service was unprecedented and unparalleled by any veteran that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Norman’s singular actions are beyond the imagination to consistently advocate and recognize those veterans who served their country. His energy and dedication to do the unthinkable for Country is without peer and I would challenge his accomplishments against anyone internationally. He has done the hard work of several and it was never about the personal gain. It is always about demonstrating the capability of a United States Veteran.

As a United States Marine, he continues his passion for service to others, especially those who served their country. Dr. Thagard unequivocally maintained his focus and energy as a staunch advocate in supporting, serving, and honoring all military veterans as a force that is vigilant throughout our nation. Veterans will enjoy the incredible impact that this man has had for generations to come and it is all due to the tireless, selfless hard work on the part of Norman Thagard.

Norman Thagard served as an example for countless veterans through his dogged work ethic and counts each and every veteran that he had the pleasure of inspiring to achieve, or the family that stands alone without their warrior, as those who provided their time and their life for their country. He is revered by the communities that were blessed to have him as a leader and his reputation is undisputed and unmatched by any.

Norman Thagard’s dedication and devotion to the military is a matter of record of his distinguished life. His reach has touched countless in the past, present, and will do so in the future. He still continues to give his life to the service of the nation and young servicemen and women and Veterans that he taught along the way at every opportunity and has been since 1963. He IS, without question your first choice to represent the ranks in the distinguished Florida Veterans Hall of Fame. Norman Thagard’s contributions in the name of veterans is a matter of record in state and international archives. There is no denying his prodigious impact to the world, past, present, and, educating those in the future who want to know how to continue service to their country. His only reward was that of the heart in knowing that he had served those who served their country. 

Norman Thagard is the epitome of one who embodies all of those admirable attributes that is a true Veteran Hall of Famer. Grant his family the honor of knowing that this man’s service was the very best that one person could give. Select him now as a member of the Class of 2020.