General John W. "Jay" Raymond Award
The General John W. “Jay” Raymond Award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions in their lifetime to the making of US Space Force history that continues to shape the future development of the service.
John William Raymond is a retired United States Space Force general who served as the first chief of space operations from 2019 to 2022. The first guardian, he served as commander of the United States Space Command from 2019 to 2020. A career missile and space operations officer, he has commanded the 5th Space Surveillance Squadron, 30th Operations Group, Fourteenth Air Force, Joint Force Space Component Command, and Air Force Space Command. He has been deployed to serve in the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War.
In 2016, Raymond assumed command of the Air Force Space Command and, in 2019, assumed additional duties as unified combatant command commander following the reestablishment of the U.S. Space Command. When the U.S. Space Force was established, he became the first chief of space operations. He also became the first member of the Space Force, ending his over 35 years of service in the Air Force.
For his work in leading the initial building of the Space Force, Raymond has been described as the “father of the Space Force”. As the first chief of space operations, he oversaw the standup of new Space Force organizations, transfer of personnel from other military branches, consolidation of space units from other services, and setting its culture. He relinquished his post as chief of space operations in 2022 and retired from military service in 2023.
AWARDS
Featured Award Winner
2025
US Representative Michael Dennis Rogers, Alabama
Congressman Mike Rogers represents the third district of Alabama and has served as the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee since January 2023. Prior to that, he served as the Ranking Member of the Committee from 2021 to 2023.
Since he was first elected in 2002, Mike has been known for his tireless advocacy for the people and interests of Alabama’s Third Congressional District. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and previously served as the Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security in the 116th Congress. His leadership on these issues has been vital to Alabama’s interests.
Nationally, Rep. Rogers has built a reputation as a recognized leader on national security and a strong advocate for national defense. As Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, he works to ensure that our military is properly funded, that our warfighters have the resources and weapons they need to succeed on current and future battlefields, and that the military is focused on deterring and combating threats coming from China and our other adversaries.
During his tenure on the House Armed Services Committee, Mike saw a need to realign our resources and efforts toward countering our adversaries in space. With bipartisan support in Congress, Mike initiated and oversaw the creation of the U.S. Space Force.
Past Lifetime Achievement for Space Award Recipients
- 2024: Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret)