Editing Explorer II (section)

==Aftermath==
The success of the mission was much celebrated in the press and the aeronauts were invited to an audience with U.S. President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]. They became national heroes and both men were presented with the [[Hubbard Medal]] of the National Geographic Society by General [[John J. Pershing]].<ref name="NYT19351212"/> The Air Corps awarded them the [[Mackay Trophy]] for the most meritorious flight of the year.<ref name="Fredriksen2011"/> Both men were also awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] for each of the Explorer flights.

Scientific observations made during the mission were highly successful and much data was collected,<ref name="DeVorkin1991"/> with the results appearing in scientific journals.<ref name="Weightman1937"/><ref name="SI"/> The data and the crew experiences were later used when designing flight crew equipment and methods for high-altitude combat operations during [[World War II]].<ref name="Bilstein2001"/> The balloon used for the ''Explorer II'' expedition was cut up into a million {{Dubious|Talk Million pieces?|date=March 2025}} strips and distributed as commemorative bookmarks among the NGS members who supported the mission.<ref name="Shayler2000"/><ref name=Gannon_2010/> The gondola is on display at the [[Smithsonian Institution]]'s [[National Air and Space Museum]].<ref name="SI"/>