- James R. Thompson, Jr.
Infobox Person
name = James R. Thompson, Jr.
image_size = 200px
caption = Official NASA portrait of James R. Thompson, Jr.
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birth_place =Greenville, South Carolina ,United States
death_date =
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education = Bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering atGeorgia Institute of Technology , Master's degree in mechanical engineering atUniversity of Florida , post-graduate work in fluid mechanics atUniversity of Alabama
occupation = Director of theMarshall Space Flight Center
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website =James R. Thompson, Jr. was the fifth Director of the
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center located inHuntsville, Alabama . He served as Director fromSeptember 29 ,1986 toJuly 6 ,1989 . Thompson also served as NASA's deputy director fromJuly 6 ,1989 toNovember 8 ,1991 .Born in
Greenville, South Carolina , Mr. Thompson graduated from Druid Hills High School in Atlanta in 1954. He was awarded a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from theGeorgia Institute of Technology in 1958 and a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from theUniversity of Florida in 1963. He has completed all course work at theUniversity of Alabama toward a Ph.D. in fluid mechanics. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1960 and was stationed atGreen Cove Springs, Florida , as an administrative officer in the Atlantic Fleet.He was awarded the NASA Medal for Exceptional Service in 1973 for his work on
Skylab , and NASA Medals for Distinguished Service in 1981 for this work on the Space Shuttle main engine and in 1988 for his work on the 51-L Data and Design Analysis Task Force. PresidentRonald Reagan conferred on Mr. Thompson the rank of Meritorious Senior Government Executive twice, in 1982 and in 1987. He was one of five members of NASA's Return to Flight Team awarded the Dr.Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy for 1989.Upon leaving NASA in 1991, Mr. Thompson entered private business.
External links
* [http://history.msfc.nasa.gov/management/center_directors/pages/thompson.html NASA MSFC biography]
* [http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/Biographies/thompson.html NASA HQ biography]
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