North Dakota Native Nasa Astronaut To Get State’s Highest Honor

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — NASA astronaut James Buchli will be the 49th recipient of the North Dakota Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state’s highest honor.

Buchli was born in New Rockford and became the first North Dakotan to fly in space.

He is a veteran of four space flights and has orbited the Earth 319 times, spending 20 days in space.

He was a distinguished Marine Corps aviator during the Vietnam War before becoming a NASA astronaut.

Gov. Doug Burgum says Buchli is a great supporter of the UND Aerospace program and shares his experience and skills with aspiring students.

“Theodore Roosevelt got it right when he said that without the time he spent in North Dakota, he would never have been president,” Buchli said. “North Dakota has given me the work ethic, determination and tenacity to succeed, just as it has for many others. For that gift, I am truly grateful.”

In 2019, Buchli was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

The award will be presented later this year at a date and location to be announced soon.