Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA)

Author: Brian Ives

In 1969, the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA) was established. Many people with impressive credentials
have received this award. Recipients include former President Gerald R. Ford, several governors and senators,
chief executive officers of Fortune 500 companies, and nationally known educators, doctors, and lawyers. Each of
the nearly 1600 recipients have risen to a state of eminence in his chosen life's work prior to receiving the DESA.

In 1988, the responsibility for the DESA was transferred from the National Court of Honor to the NESA
Board of Regents. The Nomination form was revised during 1988 and is now only available to Scout Executives.

When the first DESA was awarded the recipient received an Eagle Pendant suspended on a red-white-
blue neck ribbon, a lapel pin, a knot device, an eaglet charm and a large engraved plaque that outlined the
recipient’s accomplishments. In time an oval shaped charm was looked exactly like the lapel pin was added
to the items available. Today, all the recognition items remain available except for the oval charm.

Over the years the Robbins Company, Custom Fine Jewelry and the Stange Company have produced
the recognition items for NESA. 

The plaques have changed over the years; interestingly, the date the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award was awarded to the recipient does not appear
on the plaques until 2011.