Since 1996, the SAME Academy of Fellows has honored two outstanding Americans for contributions to the engineering profession and national security by presenting each of them with a "Golden Eagle Award." The award, like SAME itself, has a rich heritage.

2012 Golden Eagle Awards Dinner
March 28, 2012
6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center
Bethesda, Md.

Click here to register to attend

The Academy of Fellows Golden Eagle Dinner is held each year to honor two outstanding Americans: an SAME Fellow for outstanding contributions to the engineering profession; and a prominent leader for significant contributions to national security. 

Please join us as we honor

Brig. Gen. Ralph V. Locurcio, P.E., F. SAME,
U.S. Army (Ret.)
for outstanding contributions to
the engineering profession.

The recipient of the Golden Eagle Award for National Security has been selected and will be presented to a prominent government official whose name will be released at a later date.

Past Golden Eagle Award Winners

Each year, the SAME Academy of Fellows honors two outstanding Americans: a SAME Fellow for outstanding contributions to the engineering profession; and a prominent leader for significant contributions to national security. Past awardees include:

SAME Fellows Honored for Contributions to the Engineering Profession

• William A. Brown Sr., P.E., HAIA, F.SAME - 2010
• Rear Adm Jack Buffington, P.E., F.SAME, USN (Ret.) - 2009
• Maj. Gen. Joseph A. "Bud" Ahearn, P.E., F.SAME, USAF (Ret.) - 2008
• Col. F.H.“Bud” Griffis, Ph.D., P.E.,NAC, USA (Ret.) - 2007
• MG Charles E. Williams, F.SAME, USA (Ret.) – 2006
• Rear Adm. David J. Nash, P.E., F.SAME, USN (Ret.) – 2005
• Brig. Gen Gerald E. Galloway Jr., Ph.D., P.E., F.SAME, USA (Ret.) – 2004
• Lt. Gen. Henry J. Hatch, P.E., F.SAME, USA (Ret.) – 2003
• Charles H. Thorton, Ph.D., P.E., F.SAME – 2003
• Brig. Gen. Forrest T. Gay III, F.SAME, USA (Ret.) – 2002
• Frank H. Walk, D.E., P.E., F.SAME – 2001
• Michael Haratunian, P.E., F.SAME – 2000
• E. Manning Seltzer, F.SAME – 1999
• Lt. Gen. John W. Morris, P.E., F.SAME, USA (Ret.) – 1998
• Seymour S. Greenfield, P.E., F.SAME – 1997
• Maj. Gen. Clifton D. Wright Jr., P.E., F.SAME, USAF (Ret.) – 1996

Prominent Leaders Honored for Contributions to National Security

• Honorable Eric K. Shinseki - 2010
• Lieutenant General Julius W. Becton, USA (Ret.) - 2009
• Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., FACS - 2008
• Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey, USA (Ret.) - 2007
• Adm. James M. Loy, USCG (Ret.) – 2006
• Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster, F.SAME, USA (Ret.) – 2005
• Gen. Henry Hugh Shelton, USA (Ret.) – 2004
• Stephen E. Ambrose – 2002
• Honorable David Hobson – 2001
• Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, USAF – 2000
• Senator Robert J. Dole – 1999
• Honorable W.G. Hefner – 1998
• Honorable Richard B. Cheney – 1997
• Norman R. Augustine – 1996

History of the Golden Eagle Award

In 1782 the bald eagle was chosen as the emblem of our new nation because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, as well as the belief that the bald eagle could be found only on the North American continent.

One legend says that another reason the bald eagle was chosen as the U.S. national emblem was that, during an early morning battle of the American Revolution, the noise of the struggle awoke sleeping eagles on the heights, who flew from their nests and circled above the heads of the fighting men. As they flew above, they bellowed raucous cries, causing the patriots to exclaim, "They are shrieking for freedom!"

President John F. Kennedy once wrote of this majestic bird, "The Founding Fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the eagle as the emblem of the nation. The fierce beauty and proud independence of this great bird aptly symbolize the strength and freedom of America."

For these reasons and more, the SAME Academy of Fellows named its annual honor after this majestic symbol of American dedication and spirit to a greater good. The award was sculpted as a crystal eagle in flight above a solid wooden base, further symbolizing the strength and character of the individuals being honored.