The Department of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University honored Edward C. “Pete” Aldridge Jr. ’60 as the first recipient of the Aerospace Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Aldridge was honored at a reception at the Miramont Country Club April 28. He also received The Association of Former Students Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2009. These awards recognize his numerous accomplishments in a career of exceptional nationally important service and leadership.

The event was attended by university leaders including President Elsa Murano as well as nationally prominent colleagues, including former NASA Administrator Michael Griffin. Also in attendance were eight of the first 11 Aerospace Engineering undergraduate recipients of the E.C. “Pete” Aldridge Scholarships.

Aldridge and his wife JoAnne K. “Jody” Aldridge currently reside in Arlington, Va., where he serves on several corporate boards, including Lockheed Martin Corp.

Aldridge earned his bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Texas A&M In 1960 and a master’s degree from Georgia Tech in 1962. As a student at Texas A&M, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, the Institute of Aerospace Sciences, Tau Beta Pi and the Shreveport Hometown Club. He served as AFROTC Group Sergeant Major and Treasurer of Sigma Gamma Tau.

Aldridge retired from government service and industry in May 2003. In his career, he served as special advisor to the Secretary of Defense and was appointed by the president to the position of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.

Aldridge was previously president and CEO of The Aerospace Corp. in El Segundo, Calif., from 1992-2001; president of McDonnell Douglas Electronic Systems Co. in McLean, Va., from 1988-1992; Secretary of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., from 1986-1988; astronaut in training for 1986 Shuttle Launch (cancelled as a result of Challenger Accident) from 1985-1986; Under Secretary of the U.S. Air Force from 1981-1986; director of the  National Reconnaissance Office in the U.S. Deptartment of Defense from 1981 to 1988; vice president of Systems Planning Corp. in Roslyn, Va., from 1977 to 1981; director of the Office of Planning and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense, from 1974 to 1977; manager of the Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President, from 1973 to 1974; manager, LTV Corp. in Grand Prairie, Texas, from 1972 to 1973; operations research analyst in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Systems Analysis) from 1967 to 1972; advisor for strategic arms limitation talks for the Office of the Secretary of Defense in Helsinki (Finland) and Vienna (Austria) from 1970 to 1972; and advanced systems engineer for Douglas Aircraft Co. in Santa Monica, Calif., from 1961 to 1967.

In his career, Aldridge

• Was responsible for the acquisition and support strategies and policies of all weapon systems by the Department of Defense, including management of four major defense agencies: Missile Defense Agency, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the Defense Acquisition University;

• Led efforts for transformation of the Department of Defense, initiated by Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld;

• Directed a Joint Capabilities Planning Study, focused on improved “joint” military force planning process within the Department of Defense, requested by the Secretary of Defense;

• Was considered “Mr. Space” in the Department of Defense and intelligence communities;

• Established the “Mixed Fleet” Space Launch Strategy, which resulted in assured access to space after Challenger and other launch accidents;

• Was the longest serving director of the National Reconnaissance Office (eight years), the organization responsible for developing, launching and operation of intelligence and reconnaissance satellites for the United States;

• Named by President Bush as chairman of the President’s Commission on Implementation of the U.S. Space Exploration Policy (the Moon to Mars exploration vision);

• Served on key government advisory boards and commissions, including the Defense Science Board, NASA Advisory Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space Program, National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee, and National Space Council Space Policy Advisory Board;

• Named by the Secretary of Defense to lead a Planning and Evaluation Office, tasked with developing the Five-Year Defense Plan for the Department of Defense;

• Led professional organizations as president and Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, president of Security Affairs Support Organization, and chairman of the High Technology Council of the Economic Development Corp. of Los Angeles;

• Made numerous speeches during government service and industry employment, including congressional testimony supporting government programs and policy;

His professional experience has led to being elected to serve currently on the boards of Lockheed Martin Corp., Global Crossing Ltd., and Alion Science and Technology. Past board memberships includes United Industrial Corp., C. S. Draper Laboratories, ERIM International, Sybase Inc., the National Space Club, Air Force Falcon Foundation and the U.S. Space Foundation.

Academic memberships include Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Gamma Tau and Sigma Xi. He has been elected as an Honorary Member of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds air demonstration team.

Among his honors are
• Elected a Member of the National Academy of Engineering, 2007
• Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy, awarded by the National Aeronautic Association, 2005
• U.S. Space Foundation James Hill Lifetime Achievement Award, 2005
• Texas A&M College of Engineering Honor Alumnus, 1985
• Texas A&MCorps of Cadets Hall of Honor, 1998
• Georgia Institute of Technology Engineering Hall of Fame, 1996
• National Aeronautic Association Wright Brothers Award, 2005
• Ronald Reagan Missile Defense Award, 2007
•; U.S. Space Foundation Lifetime Space Achievement, 2005
• American Astronautical Society Lifetime Achievement, 2004
• NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, 2004
• Secretary of Defense Civilian Service Award, 1972
• Scientific American Top 50 Award, 2004
• National Space Club Robert H. Goddard Trophy, 1987
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Goddard Astronautics Award, 2004
• International Society of Logistics Jack Williams Space Logistics Medal, 2004

Additionally, a Google search of Aldridge will return more than 55,000 articles on career accomplishments and personal news events, and The Aerospace Corp. headquarters building in El Segundo, Calif., is named after him.

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