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New Class of Military Space Leadership Commemorated on Schriever Wall of Honor

  • Published
  • By Paul Hewitt, SSC Public Affairs
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. --  The names of six highly accomplished military and civilian leaders in space and missile development were inscribed onto the Schriever Wall of Honor at a ceremony officiated by Col. Andrew S. Menschner, deputy commander of Space Systems Command (SSC) on September 4 in the Schriever Courtyard at Los Angeles Air Force Base (LA AFB).

During his dedication to the honorees, Col. Menschner remarked, “To have one’s name inscribed on this wall is to be a part of General Schriever’s legacy – one that protects our nation and reaches into space. Our country’s progress and prosperity are built upon the shoulders of General Schriever and the other giants inscribed on this wall. Long before we called ourselves Guardians and before Guardian values were established, General Schriever had already displayed these qualities. Today, we recognize the character, commitment, connection and courage in all honorees, both military and civilian. Determination and imagination are the markings of those that stood apart, and today we recognize this in all six of our honorees.”

Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, direct reporting program manager, Golden Dome for America who previously served as the vice chief of the United States Space Force and was the former commander of Space Systems Command, was among the distinguished guests in attendance and took the stage to pay tribute to this year’s class of honorees.

“We owe all six of these great men and their families a huge debt of gratitude,” said Guetlein. “They embody what it means to be leaders and innovators. We are here today in part because they thought differently; they dared to lead differently, and they made a difference. They had visions of a better world and made those visions come true. We are safer as a nation today, as well as our children and our children’s children, because of their efforts. It is only fitting that they join the likes of General Schriever on this wall. To the honorees and their families, thank you for your service. Thank you for your selfless commitment. Thank you from a very grateful nation.”

The annual event ceremony, held at SSC headquarters, is named for Gen. Bernard Schriever, who successfully led the Air Force’s ballistic missile and satellite projects during the early years of the Cold War and was commander of SSC’s original predecessor organization, the Western Development Division. This year’s event theme was “Forging the Future: Honoring Space Pioneers Who Lit the Way,” which draws inspiration from a quote by Gen. Schriever himself, who said, “The day when we can no longer look into the past with pride and into the future with confidence is the day we have lost our way.”

With support from industry partners, the Air & Space Forces Association's Schriever chapter sponsored and commissioned a statue of General Schriever, and in 2007, the statue and wall of honor were dedicated as the General Schriever Memorial. The first six names were engraved on the wall in 2014, when SSC celebrated its 60th anniversary; the class of 2025 brings the number honored to 72.

The 2025 Class of Schriever Wall of Honor honorees includes:
 
  • USAF Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Samuel A Greaves -- A 1982 Cornell University graduate, Lt. Gen. Greaves’ nearly four-decade career in the U.S. Air Force stands as a blueprint of excellence, innovation, and service. From his early days at Vandenberg Air Force Base to commanding roles at Cape Canaveral and the Space and Missile Systems Center, his leadership helped shape the future of U.S. space launch and satellite operations. A few of his career highlights include commanding the first successful launch of the Wideband Global SATCOM satellite, leading the first competitive National Security Space launch contract in 15+ years, opening the door for SpaceX, being appointed director of the Missile Defense Agency, driving layered Ballistic Missile Defense system development, and earning the prestigious Command Space Badge for hands-on launch crew experience. Even in retirement, Lt. Gen. Greaves continues to serve the Nation through industry leadership, bridging government and private sectors in space innovation.
 
  • USAF Col. (Ret.) Jack L. Hyslop -- With over 30 years of dedicated service to the U.S. Air Force, Col. Hyslop was a key architect in the evolution of America’s ballistic missile and reentry vehicle technology. From flying C-119s in France to leading groundbreaking missile test programs at Vandenberg, his career was defined by innovation and impact. Col. Hyslop's leadership in the Advanced Ballistic Reentry Systems program directly supported the development of the Navy’s TRIDENT Strategic Flight Test - paving the way for future Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile systems.  His legacy lives on in every mission that relies on the precision, safety, and power of modern missile and space technology.
 
  • Dr. Donald Jortner -- Often referred to as a founding father of the United States’ spacecraft vulnerability and hardness program, Dr. Jortner’s legacy is rooted in a lifetime of innovation, service, and impact. From his early days conducting thermodynamics research at Edwards Air Force Base to leading the development of nuclear survivability systems for more than 70 satellite systems, his work fundamentally shaped modern space and defense architecture. He founded and led the Hardness & Survivability Lab, growing it to a 300-person team and spearheading advancements that ensured space-based and airborne assets could withstand nuclear and electromagnetic pulse threats. His team's efforts directly contributed to the survivability of vital systems, and fortified the Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) infrastructure. Through groundbreaking patents, published research, and technical leadership, Dr. Jortner helped create the foundation for resilient space operations that remain essential to national security today.
 
  • USAF Col (Ret.) Douglas L. Loverro --  A visionary whose work shaped the future of national security at the U.S. Space Force. Mr. Loverro invented the supersonic chemical oxygen-iodine laser while at Kirtland Air Force Base, later key to the Airborne Laser system, earning him the Air Force Invention Award in 1985. Over a 30+ year career, he led the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) program, directed major space systems at the National Reconnaissance Office, and set national space policy as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space. Now president of Loverro Consulting, he continues to lead in space strategy and innovation.
 
  • USAF Col. (Ret.) Mr. David W. Madden -- With over three decades of distinguished service in military space systems, Mr. Madden’s leadership shaped some of the most critical programs in national security at the U.S. Space Force. As director of the GPS Wing at SSC’s predecessor organization, Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) he drove modernization efforts that led to the most capable GPS constellation in history. Later, as executive director of SMC, he managed multi-billion-dollar satellite communications programs and championed innovation across the enterprise. One of his most remarkable achievements was leading the successful 14-month recovery of the AEHF-1 satellite - a mission that showcased his technical acumen, problem-solving skills, and ability to lead under pressure.
 
  • Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Thomas D, Taverney -- A true space pioneer, Maj. Gen. Taverney helped design the Air Force’s Airborne Anti-Satellite (ASAT) system, an innovation that flew on a Convair F-106 Delta Dart using a modified MHV on an AGM-78 missile. From leading Titan launch investigations to shaping missile tracking payloads for SDA, his legacy continues to orbit the future of U.S. space operations.
 

 

 

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