Rear Admiral Grace Brewster Murray Hopper, USNR (Ret.) — Posthumous
It is with deepest appreciation and respect that the Naval Order of the United States announces the recipient of the 2022 Admiral of the Navy George Dewey Award, as Rear Admiral, Lower Half, Grace Brewster Murray Hopper.
At the 2001 Annual Congress, the establishment of an annual award was proposed to recognize the exemplary service of a senior civilian, eligible for Regular membership, whose record of exemplary service sets him/her apart from his/her peers. The first award was presented at the 2002 Congress.
While this particular honor is awarded posthumously, the Naval Order wishes to recognize the outstanding contributions that Rear Admiral Hopper made to the world of computing and to the modern world at large. She literally changed computer programming by simplifying computer code, leading to the advancement of computer technology and a plethora of applications.
Rear Admiral Hopper died in January 1992 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. USS Grace Hopper (DDG-70) is named in her honor. Yale University recognized Rear Admiral Hopper’s accomplishments by naming one of its undergraduate residential colleges, Grace Hopper College. Rear Admiral Hopper was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 2016 by President Barack Obama.
The Award was accepted by VADM Nancy Brown, USN (Ret.) at our formal dinner on 22 October at the Naval Order Congress for 2022 in Alexandria, Virginia.