Editing Charles Bolden

{{Short description|American astronaut and 12th NASA Administrator (born 1946)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{For|the jazz musician|Buddy Bolden}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name         = Charles Bolden
|image        = Charles F. Bolden, Jr.jpg
|caption      = Official portrait, 2009
|office       = 12th [[List of Administrators and Deputy Administrators of NASA|Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration]]
|president    = [[Barack Obama]]
|deputy       = {{ubl|[[Lori Garver]]|[[Dava Newman]]}}
|term_start   = July 17, 2009
|term_end     = January 20, 2017
|predecessor  = [[Michael D. Griffin]]
|successor    = [[Jim Bridenstine]]
|birth_name   = Charles Frank Bolden Jr.
|birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1946|8|19}}
|birth_place  = [[Columbia, South Carolina]], U.S.
|death_date   = 
|death_place  = 
|spouse       = Alexis Walker
|children     = 2
|relatives    = [[Ethel Martin Bolden]] (mother)
|education    = {{ubl|[[United States Naval Academy]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])|[[University of Southern California]] ([[Master of Science|MS]])}}
|awards       = {{ubl|National Space Trophy|[[Nierenberg Prize]]|[[Carl Sagan Award for Public Appreciation of Science]]}}
|allegiance   = United States
|branch       = [[United States Marine Corps]]
|serviceyears = 1968–2004
|rank         = [[Major general (United States)|Major General]]
|commands     = {{ubl|[[I Marine Expeditionary Force]]|[[3rd Marine Aircraft Wing]]}}
|battles      = {{ubl|[[Vietnam War]]&nbsp;(1972–73)|''Desert Thunder''&nbsp;(1998)}}
|mawards      = {{ubl|[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal|Distinguished Service Medal]]|[[Defense Superior Service Medal|Superior Service Medal]]|[[Legion of Merit]]&nbsp;(2)}}
|module    = {{Infobox astronaut
|child     = yes
|type      = [[NASA astronaut]]
|awards    = {{ubl|[[NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal]]|[[NASA Exceptional Service Medal]]|[[NASA Space Flight Medal]]}}
|selection = [[NASA Astronaut Group 9|NASA Group 9 (1980)]]
|time      = 28&nbsp;days, 8&nbsp;hours, 37&nbsp;minutes
|mission   = {{ubl|[[STS-61-C]]&nbsp;(1986)|[[STS-31]]&nbsp;(1990)|[[STS-45]]&nbsp;(1992)|[[STS-60]]&nbsp;(1994)}}
|insignia  = [[File:STS-61-c-patch.png|55px|link=STS-61-C]] [[File:Sts31 flight insignia.png|55px|link=STS-31]] [[File:Sts-45-patch.png|55px|link=STS-45]] [[File:Sts-60-patch.png|55px|link=STS-60]]}}
}}
'''Charles Frank Bolden Jr.''' (born August 19, 1946)<ref name="Curr Bio">{{cite book|title=Current Biography Yearbook 2010|year=2010|publisher=H.W. Wilson|location=Ipswich, MA|isbn=9780824211134|pages=[https://archive.org/details/currentbiography2010unse/page/50 50–53]|chapter=Bolden, Charles F. Jr.|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/currentbiography2010unse/page/50}}</ref> is a former [[Administrator of NASA]], a retired [[United States Marine Corps]] [[Major General]], and a former [[astronaut]] who flew on four Space Shuttle missions.

He graduated from the [[United States Naval Academy]] with the class of 1968. Bolden became a [[United States Naval Aviator|Marine aviator]] and [[test pilot]]. After his service as an astronaut, he became Deputy [[Commandant of Midshipmen]] at the Naval Academy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usna.edu/Notables/featured/02bolden.php|title=Major General Charles Bolden|website=usna.edu}}</ref>

On May 23, 2009, President [[Barack Obama]] announced the nomination of Bolden as Administrator of NASA and [[Lori Garver]] as deputy NASA administrator.<ref name=Picked>[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/science/space/24nasacnd.html?ref=global-home "Retired General Picked to Lead NASA"], by Kenneth Chang, ''[[The New York Times]]'' May 24, 2009</ref> Both were confirmed by the Senate by unanimous consent on July 15, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/jul/HQ_09-165_Bolden_and_Garver.html|title=Bolden and Garver Confirmed by U.S. Senate|date=July 15, 2009|publisher=NASA|access-date=February 10, 2022|archive-date=October 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028210341/http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/jul/HQ_09-165_Bolden_and_Garver.html|url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref name="Space.com-BoldenConfirmed2009">{{cite news |url=https://www.space.com/6988-bolden-confirmed-nasa-administrator.html |title=Bolden Confirmed As New NASA Administrator |date=July 16, 2009 |work=[[Space.com]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019145636/https://www.space.com/6988-bolden-confirmed-nasa-administrator.html |archive-date=October 19, 2013 |url-status=live |access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref> Bolden was the first [[African American]] to head the agency on a permanent basis.<ref name=Picked/>

On January 12, 2017, Bolden announced his retirement from NASA during a [[town hall meeting]] at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. His last day would be January 19, and [[Robert M. Lightfoot Jr.]] was announced as acting NASA Administrator.

In 2020, Bolden was elected a member of the [[National Academy of Engineering]] for leadership and development of U.S. human spaceflight and space operations programs, and for revitalizing fundamental aeronautics research.

== Education ==
Bolden graduated from C. A. Johnson High School in [[Columbia, South Carolina]], in 1964.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/02/09/466191748/first-black-nasa-administrator-charles-bolden-pleaded-to-get-into-naval-academy|title=First Black NASA Administrator Charles Bolden 'Pleaded' To Get Into Naval Academy|website=NPR.org}}</ref> He earned a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in Electrical Science from the [[United States Naval Academy]] in 1968, where he was a contemporary of future Marine officers [[Oliver North]], [[Jim Webb]] and [[Michael Hagee]] and future [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]] [[Michael Mullen]], and Admirals [[Dennis C. Blair]], and [[Jay L. Johnson]], and later earned a [[Master of Science]] degree in [[Systems Management]] from the [[University of Southern California]] in 1977. He is a member of [[Omega Psi Phi]] fraternity.

== Military career ==
In high school Bolden was turned down for an appointment to the [[United States Naval Academy]] by South Carolina's Congressional delegation, which included then [[segregationist]] Senator [[Strom Thurmond]]. Bolden received his appointment after personally writing, as a high school senior, to President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]. A recruiter came to his house a few weeks later, eventually leading to Bolden receiving an appointment from U.S. Representative [[William L. Dawson (politician)|William L. Dawson]] from [[Chicago, Illinois]]. He later received notes of congratulations from Thurmond at various career milestones.<ref name="auto"/>

Bolden was commissioned a [[second lieutenant]] in the [[United States Marine Corps]] (USMC) following graduation from the [[United States Naval Academy]] in 1968. He was president of his class. He underwent flight training at [[Pensacola, Florida]], [[Meridian, Mississippi]], and [[Kingsville, Texas]], before being designated a [[United States Naval Aviator]] in May 1970.

He flew more than 100 sorties into [[North Vietnam|North]] and [[South Vietnam]], [[Laos]], and [[Cambodia]] in the [[Grumman A-6 Intruder|A-6A Intruder]] while assigned to [[VMFA(AW)-533|VMA(AW)-533]] at [[Royal Thai Air Base Nam Phong]], [[Thailand]], from June 1972 to June 1973.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/home/index.html|title=Johnson Space Center Home|publisher=NASA |date=February 11, 2015|access-date=February 10, 2022}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> Upon returning to the United States, Bolden began a two-year tour as a Marine Corps officer selection and [[military recruiting |recruiting]] officer in [[Los Angeles, California]], followed by three years in various assignments at [[Marine Corps Air Station El Toro]], California.

In June 1979, he graduated from the [[United States Naval Test Pilot School]] at [[Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland]] and was assigned to the [[Naval Air Test Center]]'s Systems Engineering and Strike Aircraft Test Directorates. While there, he served as an ordnance test pilot and flew numerous test projects in the [[Grumman A-6 Intruder|A-6E]], [[Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler|EA-6B]], and [[LTV A-7 Corsair II|A-7C/E]] airplanes. He logged more than 6,000 hours flying time.

[[File:Charles F. Bolden Jr., Astronaut, USMC, public speaking DM-SN-85-10497.JPEG|thumb|upright=1.0|left|Bolden speaking at a USMC recruiting event in 1982.]]

Bolden was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in 1980. He was a member of the [[NASA Astronaut Corps]] until 1994 when he returned to assignments in the Marine Corps, first as the Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen at the Naval Academy, effective June 27, 1994. In July 1997, he was assigned as the Deputy Commanding General of [[I Marine Expeditionary Force]]. From February to June 1998, he served as Commanding General, I MEF (Forward) in support of Operation Desert Thunder in [[Kuwait]]. In July 1998, he was promoted to his final rank of [[Major general (United States)|major general]] and assumed his duties as the Deputy Commander, [[United States Forces Japan]]. He then served as the Commanding General, [[3rd Marine Aircraft Wing]], from August 9, 2000, until August 2002. He retired from the military in August 2004.

== NASA career ==
Selected by NASA in May 1980, Bolden [[NASA Astronaut Group 9|became an astronaut]] in August 1981. He was one of several astronauts recruited by Nichelle Nichols as part of a NASA effort to increase the number of minority and female astronauts.<ref>{{cite web |last1=NASA Archives |title=Space History Photo: Nichelle Nichols, NASA Recruiter|url=https://www.space.com/24147-nichelle-nichols-nasa-recruiter.html |website=Space.com |date=January 3, 2014 |access-date=July 21, 2022 }}</ref> His technical assignments included: Astronaut Office Safety Officer; Technical Assistant to the Director of Flight Crew Operations; Special Assistant to the Director of the [[Johnson Space Center]]; Astronaut Office Liaison to the Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance Directorates of the [[Marshall Space Flight Center]] (MSFC) and the [[Kennedy Space Center]] (KSC); Chief of the Safety Division at JSC; Lead Astronaut for Vehicle Test and Checkout at the Kennedy Space Center; and Assistant Deputy Administrator, NASA Headquarters.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Jim |title=Former Administrator Charles F. Bolden |url=https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/bolden_bio.html |website=About NASA |publisher=[[NASA]] |access-date=March 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330092955/https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/bolden_bio.html |archive-date=March 30, 2022 |date=August 4, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

A veteran of four space flights, he has logged over 680 hours in space. Bolden served as pilot on [[STS-61-C]] (January 12&ndash;18, 1986) and [[STS-31]] (April 24&ndash;29, 1990), and was the mission commander on [[STS-45]] (March 24{{snd}}April 2, 1992), and [[STS-60]] (February 3&ndash;11, 1994).

Bolden was the first person to ride the [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39|Launch Complex 39 slidewire baskets]] which enable rapid escape from a [[Space Shuttle]] on the launch pad. The need for a human test was determined following a launch abort on [[STS-41-D]] where controllers were afraid to order the crew to use the untested escape system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/roundup/online/2007/0607.pdf|title=LBJ Space Center Roundup|publisher=NASA|date=June 2007|access-date=May 29, 2016}}</ref>

A few years before his appointment by President Barack Obama to be administrator of NASA, Bolden auditioned, along with professional actors, for the role of virtual host for NASA's "Shuttle Launch Experience" educational attraction at the [[Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex]] in [[Merritt Island, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/explore-attractions/shuttle-a-ship-like-no-other/shuttle-launch-experience|title=Shuttle Launch Experience &#124; Kennedy Space Center|website=kennedyspacecenter.com|access-date=February 10, 2022}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

=== Spaceflights ===
[[File:STS61C-01-007.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|Bolden on the flight deck of ''Columbia'' during STS-61-C]]

On [[STS-61-C]], Bolden piloted {{OV|102}}. During the six-day flight, crew members deployed the [[Communications satellite|SATCOM]] [[Ku band|Ku-band]] satellite and conducted experiments in astrophysics and materials processing. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center on January 12, 1986, orbited the Earth 96 times, and ended with a successful night landing at [[Edwards Air Force Base]], California on January 18, 1986. Coincidently, Senator [[Bill Nelson]], who like Bolden would also go on to serve as a NASA Administrator, also flew on STS-61-C as a [[payload specialist]]. STS-61-C was the final mission before the [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|Space Shuttle ''Challenger'' disaster]].

Bolden piloted {{OV|103}} during [[STS-31]]. Launched on April 24, 1990, from Kennedy Space Center, the crew spent the five-day mission deploying the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] and conducting a variety of mid-deck experiments. They also used a variety of cameras, including both the [[IMAX]] in cabin and cargo bay cameras, for Earth observations from their record-setting altitude of over 400 miles. Following 75 orbits of Earth in 121 hours, ''Discovery'' landed at Edwards Air Force Base on April 29, 1990.

On [[STS-45]], Bolden commanded a crew of seven aboard {{OV|104}}, launched on March 24, 1992, from Kennedy Space Center. STS-45 was the first [[Spacelab]] mission dedicated to NASA's "Mission to Planet Earth". During the nine-day mission, the crew operated the twelve experiments that constituted the ATLAS-1 (Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science) cargo. ATLAS-1 obtained detailed measurements of atmospheric chemical and physical properties. In addition, this was the first time an artificial beam of electrons was used to stimulate an auroral discharge. Following 143 orbits of Earth, ''Atlantis'' landed at Kennedy Space Center on April 2, 1992.

[[File:Sts060-302-001.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|Bolden on the flight deck of ''Discovery'' during STS-60]]

Bolden commanded [[STS-60]]'s crew of six aboard ''Discovery''. This was the historic first joint-American–Russian Space Shuttle mission involving the participation of a Russian cosmonaut, [[Sergei Krikalev]], as a [[mission specialist]]. The flight launched on February 3, 1994, from Kennedy Space Center, and carried the Space Habitation Module-2 ([[Astrotech Corporation|SPACEHAB-2]]), and the [[Wake Shield Facility]]. The crew conducted a series of joint American/Russian science activities. The mission achieved 130 orbits of the Earth, ending with a landing on February 11, 1994, at the Kennedy Space Center.<ref name="auto1"/>

=== Administrator of NASA ===
[[File:Charles_Bolden_speaks_at_STS-135_wheels_stop_event.jpg|thumb|upright=1.0|right|Bolden speaks after landing of the last Space Shuttle mission, [[STS-135]].]]

In 2009, President Obama appointed Bolden to be administrator of NASA.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8154525.stm Ex-astronaut Bolden to lead Nasa], BBC.co.uk, July 19, 2009</ref>

In a NASA video published April 28, 2010, titled "NASA's New Era of Innovation and Discovery", Bolden said, "We're going to turn science fiction into science fact".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=12783063|title=NASA Video Gallery|website=nasa.gov|date=January 8, 2015 |access-date=February 10, 2022}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVS8mjLiP90|title=A New Era of Innovation and Discovery - President Obama's Plan for NASA|publisher=YouTube|date=November 21, 2013|access-date=February 1, 2016}}</ref>

On the same day, at a question and answer session with employees at the Johnson Space Center, Bolden compared the [[Constellation Program]] to a [[stillborn]] baby calf extracted from a [[camel]]'s womb by [[U.S. Marines]]. Bolden said, "We've got some stillborn calves around, and we have got to figure out ways to help each other bring them back to life".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spacenews.com/bolden-urges-work-force-back-nasas-new-direction|title=Bolden Urges Work Force To Back NASA's New Direction|publisher=SpaceNews|date=May 3, 2010|access-date=February 1, 2016}}</ref>

In a June 2010 interview with ''[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]]'', Bolden said that the top three goals he was tasked with by President Obama were to help re-inspire children to want to get into science and math, to expand NASA's international relationships, and, "perhaps foremost", "to reach out to the Muslim world ... to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science... and math and engineering".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/talktojazeera/2010/07/201071122234471970.html|title=Charles Bolden: The Nasa administrator and astronaut in conversation with Al Jazeera's Imran Garda|publisher=Al Jazeera English|date=June 30, 2010|access-date=May 27, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=NASA Chief: Next Frontier Better Relations With Muslim World|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nasa-chief-next-frontier-better-relations-with-muslim-world/|publisher=Fox News|date=July 5, 2010}}</ref> The White House disagreed with Bolden's statement, with the press secretary saying Bolden probably misspoke and "That was not his task, and that's not the task of NASA".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Moskowitz|first1=Clara|title=NASA chief says agency's goal is Muslim outreach, forgets to mention space|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2010/0714/NASA-chief-says-agency-s-goal-is-Muslim-outreach-forgets-to-mention-space|access-date=January 14, 2022|work=Christian Science Monitor |issue=July 24, 2010}}</ref>

Bolden said his agency's long-term ambition is landing astronauts on [[Mars]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Zobel|first=Jen|url=http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=485247|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003040943/http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=485247|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 3, 2011|title=NASA Administrator: President Obama Wants Americans On Mars |publisher=Ozarksfirst.com|date=July 10, 2011|access-date=May 27, 2012}}</ref> He has cited spending cuts as a concern for major NASA projects.<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Neill|first=Ian|url=http://news.discovery.com/space/james-webb-space-telescope-closer-to-the-axe-110714.html|title=James Webb Space Telescope Closer to the Axe|publisher=Discovery News|date=July 13, 2011|access-date=May 27, 2012|archive-date=July 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716103323/http://news.discovery.com/space/james-webb-space-telescope-closer-to-the-axe-110714.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On August 28, 2012, he was the first human being to have his voice broadcast on the surface of Mars. Although the rover has no speakers, it received the transmission of his voice and then beamed it back to Earth.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mullen|first=Jethro|url=http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/28/us/mars-curiosity-voice/index.html?hpt=hp_c1|title=Human voice makes giant leap in space thanks to Curiosity |publisher=CNN.com|date=August 28, 2012|access-date=February 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna48808906|title=NASA to beam new will.i.am song from Mars|publisher=NBC News|date=August 27, 2012|access-date=February 1, 2016}}</ref>

In 2013, he noted the [[National Aerospace Week]] as [[Administrator of NASA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/bolden/2013/09/16/nasa-celebrates-national-aerospace-week/|title=NASA Celebrates National Aerospace Week – Former NASA Administrator Charles Bolden|website=blogs.nasa.gov|publisher=NASA|date=September 16, 2013|access-date=February 10, 2022|archive-date=June 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604104755/https://blogs.nasa.gov/bolden/2013/09/16/nasa-celebrates-national-aerospace-week/|url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

On October 28, 2015, Bolden presented the next steps for a [[Human mission to Mars|human journey to Mars]] at the [[Center for American Progress]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref name="CAP-20151028">{{cite web |title=Human Space Exploration: The Next Steps|url=https://www.americanprogress.org/events/2015/10/19/123515/human-space-exploration-the-next-steps|date=October 28, 2015|publisher=Center for American Progress |access-date=October 29, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Video-20151028">{{cite web|title=NASA: "Human Space Exploration - The Next Steps" - Video (55:48)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bem-Lqsg_9U|publisher=Center for American Progress|date=October 28, 2015|access-date=October 29, 2015}}</ref><ref name="NASA-20151008pdf">{{cite web|title=REPORT: NASA's Pioneering Next Steps in Space Exploration |url=http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/journey-to-mars-next-steps-20151008_508.pdf|date=October 8, 2015|publisher=NASA|access-date=October 29, 2015}}</ref><ref name="NASA-20151008b">{{cite web|last=Gipson|first=Lillian|title=Follow Mark Watney's Epic Trek on Mars with New NASA Web Tool|url=http://www.nasa.gov/feature/follow-mark-watney-s-epic-trek-on-mars-with-new-nasa-web-tool|date=October 8, 2015|publisher=NASA|access-date=October 29, 2015|archive-date=October 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009171916/http://www.nasa.gov/feature/follow-mark-watney-s-epic-trek-on-mars-with-new-nasa-web-tool|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On January 12, 2017, Bolden announced his resignation from NASA during a Town Hall meeting at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. His last day would be January 19, and [[Robert M. Lightfoot Jr.]] was announced as acting NASA Administrator.

After leaving NASA, Bolden has served on the [[United Arab Emirates]] Space Advisory Committee.<ref name="wapo2022">{{cite news |last1=Whitlock |first1=Craig |last2=Jones |first2=Nate |title=UAE relied on expertise of retired U.S. troops to beef up its military |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/uae-military-us-veterans/ |access-date=October 19, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=October 18, 2022}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Bolden lives in [[Alexandria, Virginia]], and is married to Alexis (née Walker); the couple have two children.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/bolden-cf.pdf|title=Charles F. Bolden Jr. (Major General, USMC Ret.) NASA Astronaut|publisher=NASA|date=January 2017|access-date=February 10, 2022}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> Bolden is a [[Christians|Christian]], stating in a question and answer session in May 2010:
{{block quote|
You know, the universe is a big place. I'm a practicing Christian, so in my faith, I learn about omnipotent, omnipresent God, which means he's everywhere. He's all-knowing. He does everything. And I just cannot bring my little pea brain to believe that a God like that would pick one planet of one of millions of suns and say that's the only place in the vast universe that I'm going to put any kind of life. And so the problem is I haven't been far enough away.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cfr.org/education/conversation-charles-f-bolden-jr-nasa-administrator/p22214|title=A Conversation with Charles F. Bolden Jr., NASA Administrator|publisher=Transcript|access-date=October 5, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006001156/http://www.cfr.org/education/conversation-charles-f-bolden-jr-nasa-administrator/p22214|archive-date=October 6, 2016}}</ref>}}

In the [[2024 United States presidential election]], Bolden endorsed [[Kamala Harris]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=NSL4A Endorses Kamala Harris for President of the United States|publisher=National Security Leaders for America |url=https://www.nsl4a.org/nsl4a-announcements/nsl4a-endorsement-harris |accessdate=Jan 11, 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922180040/https://www.nsl4a.org/nsl4a-announcements/nsl4a-endorsement-harris | archive-date=22 September 2024}}</ref>

== Awards ==
{| style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
|-
| colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"|[[File:En-NavAstro.jpg|200px]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Meritorious Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|other_device= |type=oak|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106}}<span style="position:relative; top:0; left:-90px; display:inline-block; width:0;">[[File:Award star (gold).png|22px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 1px; left: -30px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Award numeral 8.png|20px]]</span> 
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=NASA Outstanding Leadership Ribbon.png|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=award-star|ribbon=USA_-_NASA_Excep_Rib.png|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=3|type=award-star|ribbon=SpaceFltRib.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}}
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
|-
| colspan="12" style="text-align:center;"|[[Astronaut Badge|Navy Astronaut Badge]]
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]]
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[Defense Superior Service Medal]]
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[Legion of Merit]]<br/>w/ 1 [[award star]]
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[Defense Meritorious Service Medal]]<br />w/ 1 [[oak leaf cluster]]
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[Air Medal]]<br/>w/ 1 award star & [[Strike/Flight numerals|Strike/Flight numeral 8]]
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[Navy Unit Commendation]]
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal]]
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[NASA Exceptional Service Medal]]<br/>w/ 2 award stars
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[NASA Space Flight Medal]]<br/>w/ 3 award stars
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[National Defense Service Medal]]<br/>w/ 1 [[service star]]
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[Vietnam Service Medal]]<br />w/ 2 service stars
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[Recruiting Service Ribbon|Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon]]
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)|Vietnam Gallantry Cross<br />Unit Citation with Palm]]
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
|}


== Honors ==
* [[Honorary Doctor]] of Science Degree from the [[University of South Carolina]] – 1984
* Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from [[Winthrop University|Winthrop College]] – 1986
* [[University of Southern California]]'s Alumni Award of Merit – 1989
* Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from [[Johnson C. Smith University]] – 1990
* Honorary Doctor of Engineering from [[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute]] – 2008
* Honorary Doctor of Laws from [[Monmouth University]] – 2011
* Honorary Doctor of Public Service from the [[University of Maryland University College]] – 2012
* Honorary Doctor of Engineering from the [[University of Bristol]] – 2014
* National Space Trophy – 2014<ref>[http://www.rnasa.org/2014files/press2014.html#nst NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr. to Receive the National Space Trophy], Rotary National Award for Space Achievement; retrieved February 1, 2016.</ref>
* Honorary Doctor of Science from [[Rochester Institute of Technology]] – 2015
* Honorary Doctor from [[Bar-Ilan University]] – 2016<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/barilanwall/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1157590980958197 Bar-Ilan Honorary Doctorate Convocation, 2016] in Bar-Ilan University Facebook page, retrieved June 13, 2016.</ref>
* [[Nierenberg Prize]] – 2016
* Inducted into the [[National Aviation Hall of Fame]] in 2017<ref>{{cite web |title=Enshrinee Charles Bolden |url=https://nationalaviation.org/enshrinee/charles-f-bolden/ |website=nationalaviation.org |publisher=National Aviation Hall of Fame |access-date=27 January 2023}}</ref>
* Honorary Doctor of Science from [[University of Arizona]] – 2017<ref>[https://uanews.arizona.edu/story/former-nasa-chief-bolden-among-5-receive-honorary-degrees Former NASA Chief Bolden Among 5 to Receive Honorary Degrees], retrieved May 31, 2017.</ref>
* [[Carl Sagan Award for Public Appreciation of Science]] – 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sciencepresidents.org/awards/|title=» Awards|date=December 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215000137/https://sciencepresidents.org/awards/|archive-date=December 15, 2017}}</ref>
*[[International Space Hall of Fame]] – 1997<ref name=ep6>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29990977/el_paso_times/|title=Alamogordo Hall of Fame Honors 5 Space-Flight Pioneers|newspaper=El Paso Times|location=El Paso, Texas|date=September 2, 1997|page=9|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
* Member of the [[National Academy of Engineering]] – 2020
* [[Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy]], 2020<ref>{{cite web |title=Wright Bros. 2020-2029 Recipients {{!}} National Aeronautic Association |url=https://naa.aero/awards/awards-and-trophies/wright-brothers-memorial-trophy/wright-bros-2020-2029-recipients/ |access-date=4 June 2023}}</ref>
* Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from [[Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University]] – 2022
* Mani L. Bhaumik Breakthrough of the Year Award - 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=AAAS Announces Winners of the Inaugural Mani L. Bhaumik Breakthrough of the Year Award |url=https://www.aaas.org/news/bhaumik-breakthrough-2022|access-date=2023-05-04 |website=www.science.org |language=en}}</ref>
* National Air and Space Museum Trophy for Lifetime Achievement<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charles Bolden: Pilot, Astronaut, and NASA Administrator|url=https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/charles-bolden-pilot-astronaut-and-nasa-administrator|access-date=2023-10-22 |website=National Air and Space Museum |date=February 16, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Biography}}
* [[List of African-American astronauts]]
* [[List of notable United States Marines]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Charles F. Bolden, Jr.}}
* [http://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/bolden_bio.html Official Biography as Administrator]
* {{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/bolden-cf.pdf|title=Charles F. Bolden Jr. (Major General, USMC Ret.) NASA Astronaut|publisher=NASA|date=January 2017|access-date=January 9, 2021}}
* {{C-SPAN|1010668}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060515211937/http://www.usmc.mil/genbios2.nsf/biographies/81BE83E89B03DDC88525680B000CC9F0?opendocument Official USMC Biography]
* [http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/astronauts/english/bolden_charles.htm Spacefacts biography of Charles F. Bolden Jr.]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090529031646/http://www.militarychild.org/about-us/board-of-directors Military Child Education Coalition Board of Directors]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfZ14BfCCjk 2017 retrospective interview] on Bolden's career and leadership of NASA with the ''[[Financial Times]]''
* [https://twitter.com/cboldenjr?lang=en Charlie Bolden on Twitter]

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[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Vietnam War]]
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[[Category:Aviators from South Carolina]]
[[Category:Harvard Institute of Politics]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Columbia, South Carolina]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Recipients of the NASA Exceptional Service Medal]]
[[Category:American recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam)]]
[[Category:United States Astronaut Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps astronauts]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps generals]]
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[[Category:United States Naval Test Pilot School alumni]]
[[Category:USC Viterbi School of Engineering alumni]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Space Shuttle program astronauts]]
[[Category:Obama administration personnel]]