Honoring Outstanding Career Achievement and Extraordinary Community Service
The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA) is the highest national recognition awarded by Scouting America to adult Eagle Scouts who have achieved extraordinary success in their professional careers, made major contributions to their communities, and demonstrated a lifelong commitment to voluntary service.
Established in 1969, the DESA honors Eagle Scouts whose personal achievements and character embody the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law decades after earning their rank as a youth.
🌟 Did You Know? Since its inception, fewer than 1 in 1,000 Eagle Scouts have received this national honor. Notable recipients include astronauts, U.S. Presidents, Cabinet members, Olympic medalists, CEOs, and Nobel Prize winners.
Eligibility & Nomination Criteria
Because the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award recognizes lifetime career achievement, nominees must meet strict national eligibility standards:
Eagle Scout Status: Nominees must have earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a youth member of Scouting America.
Time Tenure: Must have earned the Eagle Scout rank at least 25 years prior to nomination.
Professional Distinction: Must have achieved extraordinary success, national leadership, or recognized standing in their chosen career field (business, medicine, public service, science, education, military, arts, etc.).
Community & Civic Leadership: Must demonstrate an extensive, documented history of voluntary service and leadership within civic, charitable, religious, or educational organizations outside of Scouting.
National Recognition: Nominees should be recognized regionally or nationally for their contributions to society.
The Nomination & Selection Process
The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is administered on a national level by the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) upon the recommendation of local councils.
Nomination Steps:
Prepare the Nomination Packet: Download and complete the official DESA Nomination Form.
Document Career Achievements: Detail the nominee’s professional milestones, awards, published works, executive appointments, or military service records.
Detail Voluntary Community Impact: Outline their civic contributions, board service, philanthropic leadership, and volunteer work.
Compile Endorsements: Gather strong letters of recommendation from civic officials, corporate leaders, educational executives, or community leaders.
Submit to Council for NESA Review: Completed nomination packets are submitted to the local Council Advancement/Alumni Committee for review before being forwarded to the National DESA Selection Committee.
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DESA Receipients
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 1988 | Robert Deschamps, III |
| 1991 | Dr. Carl M. Marchetti |
| 1991 | Charles A. Spitz, AIA |
| 1994 | Wendell A. Smith, Esq. |
| 1996 | Hon. Chester Apy |
| 2003 | Bray B. Barnes |
| 2005 | James Hickey |
Need Additional Help?
For questions regarding the council’s award policies, or nomination process, please contact the Council Awards Committee:
Awards & Recognition Committee Chair:Â Sandy Matthew Reisig
Awards & Recognition Committee Staff Adviser: Robert Buob
