The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA) was established in 1969 to acknowledge Eagle Scouts who have received extraordinary national-level recognition, fame, or demonstrated eminence within their field, and have a strong record of voluntary service to their community. It is NESA’s highest honor.
Since its establishment in 1969, the DESA has gained prominent standing among Scouting recognitions. Previous recipients include President Gerald R. Ford, several governors and senators, military flag officers, university presidents, chief executive officers of Fortune 500 companies, and nationally known lawyers, educators, and doctors.
Only Eagle Scouts who earned the Eagle Scout rank a minimum of 25 years previously are eligible for nomination.
The selection of recipients is made by the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award Committee, comprised of members who are also DESA recipients. Not all nominations acted upon by the award committee are approved. A substantial percentage of nominations are declined.
DESA medals have a red, white, and blue ribbon with a gold Eagle pendant. A similar gold Eagle is worn as a device on an Eagle Scout uniform knot.
Distinguished Eagle Scouts of the Alamo Area Council
Mark P. Mays – Awarded in 2022
Mr. Mays (1963 – ) Was the Treasurer, Vice President, Senior Vice President of Operations, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Clear Channel Communications. The company he built from six radio stations grew to encompass 1,200 radio stations, over 600,000 vertical outdoor advertising displays, numerous television stations, and live events located in 65-countries with annual revenues of 8-billion dollars. His company employed over 30,000 employees allowing many people to enjoy music, entertainment, news, and information utilizing progressive technology including satellite broadcasts. His philanthropy work on numerous boards improved the human condition - not only in the United States - but across the world.
More about Mr. Mays's life can be learned here.
Charles Rockwood, MD – Awarded in 2017
Dr. Rockwood (September 19, 1929 – February 1, 2022) was the head of orthopedics at UT Health San Antonio for more than 20 years, Dr. Rockwood trained nearly 300 orthopedic resident physicians. Later specializing in shoulder surgery, he became an internationally known consultant and mentored numerous shoulder fellows both stateside and abroad. He co-edited three major textbooks during his career still in use by orthopedists worldwide, including the sentinel “Fractures,” now in its 11th edition. As an innovator, he devised several groundbreaking prosthetic devices for shoulder surgery. In the early 1970s, Dr. Rockwood was the driving force in organizing the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program in San Antonio.
More about Mr. Rockwood's life can be learned here and here, and a video can be watched here.
Jack Richmond – Awarded in 1998
Mr. Richmond (August 15, 1928 – February 14, 2020) earned success in business which allowed him to contribute to charitable organizations throughout San Antonio, including Any Baby Can, Boysville, Battered Women’s Shelter, Children’s Bereavement Center, Christian Assistance Ministries, Habit for Humanity of San Antonio, Jewish Family Services, Mission Road Ministries, SAMMinistries, San Antonio Christian Dental Center, San Antonio Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul, and more.
More about Mr. Richmond's life can be learned here.
Franklin Spears – Awarded in 1991
Mr. Spears, (August 20, 1931 – April 10, 1996) was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1958 to 1961, and a Texas senator from 1961 to 1967. From 1968 to 1978 he was judge of the Fifty-Seventh Judicial District in Bexar County.
More about Mr. Spears's life can be learned here.
General Robert (Bob) Herres – Awarded in 1990
Mr. Herres, (December 1, 1932 – July 24, 2008) was a United States Air Force officer who served as the first vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
More about Mr. Herre's life can be learned here.
Percy Sutton - Awarded in 1976
Mr. Sutton (November 24, 1920 – December 26, 2009) was an American political and business leader. An activist in the Civil Rights Movement and lawyer, he was also a Freedom Rider and the legal representative for Malcolm X. He was the highest-ranking African-American elected official in New York City when he was Manhattan borough president from 1966 to 1977, the longest tenure at that position. He later became an entrepreneur whose investments included the New York Amsterdam News and the Apollo Theater in Harlem.
More about Mr. Sutton's life can be learned here.
Lewis Kayton
Lewis Kayton - Awarded in 1970
Mr. Kayton's obituary can be found here.
