United States President John F. Kennedy congratulates astronaut Alan B. Shepard, Jr., the first American in space, on his historic May 5th, 1961 ride in the Freedom 7 spacecraft and presents him with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Distinguished Service Award, in Washington, D.C. on May 6, 1961.  Shepard's wife, Louise (left in white dress and hat), and his mother were in attendance as well as the other six Mercury astronauts, including Colonel John H. Glenn, Jr. and other NASA officals, some visible in the background..Credit: NASA via CNP