U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory’s Dr. Jackie Richter-Menge, a polar researcher, recently retired with more than 35 years of federal service.
During the retirement ceremony she was presented the prestigious Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal. The citation reads, “The Army Engineer Association, on behalf of the Engineer Regiment, is proud to award the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal to Dr. Jacqueline A. Richter-Menge for inspirational leadership to the United States Army Corps of Engineers. In recognition of superior service to the Engineer Regiment as it supports the Army to assure mobility, enhance protection, enable expeditionary logistics, and build capacity in order to provide commanders the freedom of action required for full spectrum operations in an era of persistent conflict. These efforts have significantly contributed to the overall readiness of the Army and reflect great credit upon the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Signed: Todd T. Semonite, Lieutenant General, Chief of Engineers.”
Among the awards presented, she also received the U.S. Army Superior Civilian Service Award and the CRREL Lifetime Achievement Award.
Participating in the ceremony were Dr. Sinead Farrell, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center at the University of Maryland, a close collaborator in observing the impact of the warming climate on the Arctic sea ice cover, and Martin Jeffries, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, who Richter-Menge has worked with as an editor for the NOAA Arctic Report Card and the BAMS State of the Climate Report, and in support of the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee.
Richter-Menge is an expert on the Arctic sea ice domain having participated in more than 20 Arctic field campaigns, published more than 80 scholarly articles, and given many presentations nationally and internationally. She is currently Chair of the SCICEX (U.S. Navy Submarine Science Ice Expeditions) Science Steering Committee, and is a member of the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Collaboration Team. In recognition of the superior leadership, her career achievements and scientific acumen, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science by the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Most recently, Richter-Menge was appointed by former President Barack Obama to the Arctic Research Commission, a position she will continue to serve in retirement.