In an awards ceremony on November 22, President Barack Obama recognized 21 recipients with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor. Among those named were two programmers – Rear Admiral Grace Hopper and Margaret H. Hamilton — who influenced the course of history with their contributions to computer science. Rear Admiral Grace Hopper died in 1992 and was awarded the Medal posthumously.

From the White House announcement:

Grace Hopper

Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, known as “Amazing Grace” and “the first lady of software,” was at the forefront of computers and programming development from the 1940s through the 1980s. Hopper’s work helped make coding languages more practical and accessible, and she created the first compiler, which translates source code from one language into another.  She taught mathematics as an associate professor at Vassar College before joining the United States Naval Reserve as a lieutenant (junior grade) during World War II, where she became one of the first programmers of the Harvard Mark I computer and began her lifelong leadership role in the field of computer science.

Margaret H. Hamilton

Margaret H. Hamilton led the team that created the on-board flight software for NASA’s Apollo command modules and lunar modules. A mathematician and computer scientist who started her own software company, Hamilton contributed to concepts of asynchronous software, priority scheduling and priority displays, and human-in-the-loop decision capability, which set the foundation for modern, ultra-reliable software design and engineering.

These acclaimed women have also left their mark upon the computer science lexicon: Hopper coined the word “debug” after a moth was found to be causing errors in a machine; Hamilton gave us the term software engineering, which served to cement the discipline as a respected science.

Eminent nuclear physicist Richard Garwin also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom last week. During his four decades at IBM, Garwin advanced computer science with his contributions to superconducting computers, silicon integrated circuit technology, laser printers and displays, gesture and gaze-controlled input to computers and devices, and touchscreen monitors and more. He also helped invent the “air-bag” technology used to protect hard disk drives in laptops.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

“The Presidential Medal of Freedom is not just our nation’s highest civilian honor – it’s a tribute to the idea that all of us, no matter where we come from, have the opportunity to change this country for the better,” said Obama. “From scientists, philanthropists, and public servants to activists, athletes, and artists, these 21 individuals have helped push America forward, inspiring millions of people around the world along the way.”