The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) on Monday honored retired Air Force Gen. Larry Welch with the John S. Foster Jr. Medal, an annual award established last year meant to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to nuclear security.
“Gen. Welch’s exceptional leadership in support of U.S. nuclear security has without a doubt made our nation safer,” Bill Goldstein, LLNL director, said in a statement. “This Foster Medal highlights his dedication and leadership, as well as the crucial role of nuclear weapons in our nation’s security. I can think of no better person to receive this award than Gen. Welch.”
Welch served as the 12th chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force. He was also senior fellow at the Institute for Defense Analyses and, prior to that, served in various roles in the Air Force for 37 years, beginning with his enlistment in the Kansas National Guard in 1951.
Other positions Welch held in the Air Force include commander of Strategic Air Command, vice chief of staff, and deputy chief of staff of programs and resources. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Sandia National Laboratories.
Madelyn Creedon, principal deputy administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, said at the award ceremony on Monday, “His contributions, his guidance, and his assistance to the nuclear enterprise . . . have helped the Air Force and the entire nuclear community bring dignity back to deterrence, and most importantly, to the men and the women at [the Defense Department], the military services, and the [Department of Energy], who quietly ensure the nation’s ultimate defense.”
LLNL last year honored its former director John Foster with the inaugural award. Foster became LLNL director in 1965 and later joined the Defense Department to become director of defense research and engineering.
