Flag and Patch From The Space Shuttle Columbia

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.

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Astronauts Joe H. Engle, left, and Richard H. Truly are the commander and pilot, respectively, …

This is the official insignia for STS-2 the United States second space shuttle orbital flight t…

Flag and Patch From The Space Shuttle Columbia

Artifact ID1981.04701.01

Object Type Plaque, Decorative

Gifter Dr. James Montgomery Beggs

Maker National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (Washington, DC)

Date November 12, 1981

Medium Paper, Ink, Glass. Fabric, Metal

DimensionsOverall: 25 1/2 x 21 1/2 x 2 in. (64.8 x 54.6 x 5.1 cm)

Physical DescriptionA shadowbox containing a small American flag flew on Space Shuttle Columbia. In the upper left is a card the flag is attached to, lettered “This flag and crew patch were flown on the second flight of the Space Shuttle, November 12-14 1981 / Presented to The President of the United States of America Ronald Reagan From the National Aeronautics and Space Administration [signature] James Beggs Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration [signature]Astronaut Joe H. Engle Commander [signature] Astronaut Richard H. Truly Pilot” below the flag. At the bottom of the card is the mission patch and an eagle with American flag wings flying on a black background, the space shuttle flying off the end, and two crosses in the background. It is lettered “Columbia” in white above the eagle and “ENGLE-TRULY” in black. The photo in the upper right is of the liftoff of the Space Shuttle Columbia on November 12. The photo in the lower left is of the landing of the Space Shuttle Columbia on November 14. The photo in the lower right is of President Ronald Reagan and men in suits standing in Mission Control, some of them pointing at a screen. The collage is on a blue mat with a white inner border and a silver frame. The verso is backed in brown cardboard and has picture wire.
Historical NoteThis American flag flew on Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102) mission STS-2, the second Space Shuttle mission and Columbia's second flight, which marked the first time a reusable orbital vehicle returned to space, which proved that the shuttles could be flown on missions over and over. This shadow box contains the flag, the NASA crew mission patch, and photos of the mission. The crew included Commander Joe H. Engle and Captain Richard H. Truly, both on their first space flights. They were awarded the Distinguished Service Medal to Engle and Truly in the Oval Office on December 7, 1981 by President Reagan and Lieutenant Colonel Muratti. Captain Truly and Colonel Engle then gave this collage to President Reagan from Dr. James Beggs, the director of NASA. Colonel Engle said,"Well, Mr. President, it's our honor on behalf of all the people at NASA to present you with this American flag and crew emblem that was flown aboard the space shuttle Columbia. We want to thank you again for your support of the program and for taking the time to come down and talk with us during the flight. It was an honor and a thrill to us." President Reagan responded, "Well, it was a thrill to me. I'd never made a long distance call like that." On November 13, 1981 the President had spoken to the astronauts from the Mission Control area at the space center in Houston, TX.
Additional Details

Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Ronald Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President Office of Correspondence and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.

National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and

National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 6816363)

Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted

Use Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.

In Collection(s)

Gifts from the General Public