NESA Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA)
The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award (DESA) was established in 1969 by the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) to recognize Eagle Scouts who achieve extraordinary national-level recognition, fame, or eminence within their profession and/or service to the nation and have a strong record of voluntary service to their community.
The DESA is thus NESA’s highest honor for Eagle Scouts.
Stringent criteria begin with a minimum of 25 years “Time in Service” from the official record date an Eagle rank was earned. That requirement was determined by the average time most nominees need to establish a career, earn peer recognition, awards, fame/eminence, and other factors that are considered for DESA selection.
A committee comprised of Distinguished Eagle Scouts carefully reviews all nominations and determines selections. When time permits, the committee may provide feedback on nominations that may receive further, future consideration.
Eligibility
- Nominees must have earned the Eagle Scout rank through the Boy Scouts of America at least 25 years prior to submission.
- The nomination must state specific reasons with supporting facts, such as how the nominee has received extraordinary national-level recognition, fame, or eminence within a specific profession.
- A nominee should also have a strong record of voluntary service to his community. Such service is concurrent to a distinguished career, not in place of one.
- Service to Scouting is not required.
Nomination Process
- Download the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award nomination form and fill it out with all required information.
- Once the nomination form has been completed, it should be submitted to the Dan Beard ESA either electronically or send to:
Dan Beard Eagle Scout Association
Attention: Awards (DESA)
10078 Reading Road
Cincinnati, OH 45241Submission Deadline: June 30, 2024
DESA Recipients with ties to Dan Beard Council
- Neil Armstrong – Naval Aviator, Astronaut, and Engineering Professor
- David Dillon – CEO of Kroger
- John Dolibois – Nuremberg Interregator, US Ambassador to Luxemborg
- William Kagler – Kroger Executive, CEO of Skyline Chili
- Jack Kraeutler – CEO of Meridian Bioscience
- Bruce MacMillan – Surgeon, Chief of Staff at Cincinnati Shriner’s Burn Institute
- Howard Morgens – CEO of Procter & Gamble
- Donald Purcell – Executive with Safeco Insurance and Great American Insurance Company
- Hal Shevers – Founder of Sporty’s Family of Aviation Businesses
- Edgar L. Smith, Jr. – CEO of WorldPac Paper
- Dennis Sullivan – CFO of Cincinnati Bell
- Robert (Bob) Taylor – National Audit Practice Leader and Partnership Board Member at Grant Thornton
Click here to request a page update or report a problem.