Paige LeClairFormer Royal Canadian Air Force pilot, and astronaut, Chris Hadfield is being inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame on December 1st.
As the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space, Hadfield has been the recipient of many awards and special honours throughout his career, including the Order of Ontario, the Order of Canada, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. He is also the only Canadian to have received both a military and civilian Meritorious Service Cross.
“It is an honour and a delight to be one of this year’s inductees. The opportunities that Canada gives its citizens are evidenced by the wide range of folks there, and I am greatly looking forward to sharing the celebration with family and friends,” says Hadfield.
Hadfield has 25 years experience in the military, first attending the Royal Road Military College in Victoria, B.C. then attending the Royal Military College in Kingston, ON, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
As a top pilot in the CAF, in 1992 he was selected to become one of four new Canadian astronauts from a field of 5330 applicants. He was assigned by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas in August of the same year, where he addressed technical and safety issues for Shuttle Operations Development.
On behalf of the RCAF, I would like to congratulate Colonel (Ret’d) Chris Hadfield for being inducted into the Canada Walk of Fame. From his distinguished career as a fighter and test pilot for the RCAF, to being the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space and command the International Space Station, to receiving the Order of Canada, it is evident that he is richly deserving of this tremendous honour,” says Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Canada’s Walk of Fame inducts influential and accomplished Canadians every year according to their five pillars of excellence. Hadfield is representing the pillar of Science and Technology. He will be joining the likes of Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg, Andrea Martin Leonard Cohen, Andy Kim, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, and Jimmy Pattison.
Celebrating 20 years, Canada’s Walk of Fame has inducted 173 Canadians symbolizing the highest level of Canadian achievement. Canada’s Walk of Fame promotes Canadians who are driven to make a positive impact – within their field, their community, Canada, and the world.
CTV will air Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards later in December. Tickets are still available for purchase to attend the awards show. They can be purchased here.
For more information about Canada’s Walk of Fame visit their website.
