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Norm Augustine
Norman Ralph Augustine.jpg
United States Secretary of the Army
Acting
In office
July 3, 1975 – August 5, 1975
President Gerald Ford
Preceded by Bo Callaway
Succeeded by Martin Richard Hoffmann
United States Under Secretary of the Army
In office
May 1975 – July 1977
President Gerald Ford
Jimmy Carter
Preceded by Herman R. Staudt
Succeeded by Walter B. LaBerge
Personal details
Born
Norman Ralph Augustine

(1935-07-27) July 27, 1935 (age 90)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Education Princeton University (BS, MS)

Norman Ralph "Norm" Augustine (born July 27, 1935) is an American businessman who worked in the aerospace industry. He held important roles in the U.S. government and led major companies. From 1975 to 1977, he served as the United States Under Secretary of the Army. He also became the chairman and CEO of the Lockheed Martin Corporation, a very large aerospace and defense company.

In 1983, Norm Augustine was chosen to be a member of the National Academy of Engineering. This honor recognized his amazing ability to combine engineering, analysis, and management skills. He used these skills to complete important aerospace projects.

Early Life and School

Norm Augustine grew up in Colorado. He was an only child and lived in the mountains. He was the first person in his family to have the chance to go to college.

He attended Princeton University, a famous school. He graduated with high honors, earning a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering. This field is all about designing and building aircraft. He also earned a master's degree in engineering. For his senior project, he helped design a supersonic trainer aircraft. He was also chosen for several honor societies, like Phi Beta Kappa.

A Career in Aerospace and Government

Norm Augustine started his career in 1958 at the Douglas Aircraft Company in California. There, he worked as a research engineer and a manager for different projects.

In 1965, he began working for the U.S. government in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He helped with defense research and engineering. Later, in 1970, he joined LTV Missiles and Space Company. He was in charge of new programs and marketing.

He returned to government service in 1973 as an Assistant Secretary of the Army. By 1975, he became the Under Secretary of the Army. For a short time, he was even the Acting Secretary of the Army.

In 1977, he joined the Martin Marietta Corporation. He quickly moved up, becoming CEO in 1987 and chairman in 1988. In 1990, he led a special committee called the Augustine Committee. This group advised on the future of the U.S. Space Program.

When Martin Marietta merged with Lockheed in 1995, he became president of the new company, Lockheed Martin. He then became CEO later that year. He retired from Lockheed Martin in April 1997. After that, he taught at Princeton University until 1999.

Helping U.S. Intelligence

In 1999, Norm Augustine helped start In-Q-Tel. This company is supported by the CIA, which is the U.S. intelligence agency. In-Q-Tel invests in new technologies to help support U.S. intelligence efforts.

Other Important Roles

Norm Augustine has held many other important leadership positions. He was the chairman of the American Red Cross for nine years. He also led the National Academy of Engineering and the Aerospace Industries Association. He was president of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Boy Scouts of America.

He served on the boards of many large companies, including Procter & Gamble. He was also a trustee for several universities, like Johns Hopkins University and Princeton. He advised the Department of Homeland Security and worked with the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology for 16 years.

In 2009, he was chosen to lead the Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee. This committee looked at NASA's plans for space exploration, including missions to the Moon and Mars. In 2011, he also chaired a panel to review U.S. activities in the South Pole. He joined the United States Energy Security Council to help reduce the country's reliance on oil.

Today, he continues to advise various organizations. These include America Abroad Media and the Code of Support Foundation, which helps military families.

Awards and Honors

Norm Augustine has received many awards for his contributions. The President of the United States gave him the National Medal of Technology. He also received the Joint Chiefs of Staff Distinguished Public Service Award. The Department of Defense has given him its highest civilian award, the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award, five times!

He has written several books, including "Augustine's Laws" and "Augustine's Travels." He has also received 34 honorary degrees from different universities. He was recognized as one of "Fifty Great Americans" by Who's Who in America. He has traveled to over 130 countries and even visited both the North and South Poles.

Augustine's law
Graphical plot of Augustine's law Number XVI: "In the year 2054, the entire defense budget will purchase just one aircraft."

Here are some of his notable awards and honors:

  • Became an Eagle Scout in 1952.
  • Elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1983.
  • Received the National Space Club Goddard Award in 1991.
  • Became a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1992.
  • Awarded the Silver Buffalo Award by the Boy Scouts of America in 1994.
  • Received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement in 1995.
  • Awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in 1997 for his leadership in the aerospace industry.
  • Received the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal in 1997.
  • Awarded the Space Foundation's General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award in 2002. He was the first person to receive this high honor.
  • Received the Public Welfare Medal from the National Academy of Sciences in 2006.
  • Awarded the IRI Medal from the Industrial Research Institute in 2009.
  • Received the NAS Award in Aeronautical Engineering from the National Academy of Sciences in 2010.
  • Awarded the Arthur C. Clarke Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
  • Received the International Von Karman Wings Award in 2015 for his leadership and service to the nation's defense and space programs.
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