The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Charles Frank Bolden, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as an Astronaut, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Space Flight Program, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, from May 1980 through June 1994. During this period, Colonel Bolden’s uncommon technical expertise, resourcefulness, and superb management abilities contributed significantly to the accomplishment of the center’s mission. As pilot of Space Shuttle Mission STS-61 C, he deployed the SATCOM Ku satellite and conducted experiments in astrophysics and materials processing during this highly successful 6-day flight. As pilot of Mission STS-31, Colonel Bolden deployed the Hubble Space Telescope and was responsible for taking much of the IMAX footage shown throughout the world. His superior performance led to his selection to command STS-45, the first flight of the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science. As commander of STS-60, Colonel Bolden led the first joint United States/Russian Shuttle flight during which a cosmonaut participated as a mission specialist crew member. As Assistant Deputy Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters, he was recognized for his distinguished contributions and outstanding accomplishments of the program’s Total Quality Management review activities. Colonel Bolden’s impressive leadership, professional knowledge, and total dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.