U.S. Department of the Interior

Air Force Presents Legion of Merit
to Assistant Secretary of Interior Craig Manson

Assistant Secretary of Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Craig Manson today received the Legion of Merit, the highest peacetime award given by the U.S. Air Force, in recognition of his distinguished service in the Air National Guard.

The Air Force commended Manson, an Air Force Academy graduate who holds the rank of colonel in the national guard, for "exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to the United States" for his contributions as staff judge advocate at the headquarters of the California Air National Guard in Sacramento from 1996 to 2002.

"During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty of Colonel Manson were instrumental in the resolution of many complex legal issues in the Air National Guard and the United States Air Force," the citation states.

In particular, the citation recognizes Manson's role as liaison to the California Department of Water Resources, which was "instrumental in saving lives and property during the 1997 floods in California," and his contributions to improving coordination between military and civilian authorities in response to fire disasters throughout the nation.

"Craig Manson is a patriot who has served his country both in the military and as a civilian," Interior Secretary Gale Norton said. "I congratulate him on receiving the Legion of Merit. It is a well-deserved honor."

Manson is a native of Missouri and grew up in New Mexico and California. Prior to becoming assistant secretary of Interior in December 2001, he was appointed to the Sacramento County Municipal Court in January 1998 and was elevated to the Superior Court in June 1998.

Before that (1993-98) he served as General Counsel for the California Department of Fish and Game, where he was responsible for providing legal and policy advice to the agency Director, the Secretary for Resources, and the Governor, on state and federal Endangered Species Acts, wetlands, water law, California Environmental Quality Act and other natural resource issues.

Manson also has served as an Adjunct Professor at the McGeorge School of Law. Prior to his appointment to the Sacramento County Municipal Court, Manson worked as an attorney (1989-93) with the law firm of Downey, Brand, Seymour and Rohwer, located in Sacramento. He also worked as outside counsel for the California Department of Conservation.

In addition, he was as an associate professor of law at the U.S. Air Force Academy (1985-89). He is the founding Director of the Academy's Air and Space Law Program. He served as Area Defense Counsel (1984-85) for the U.S. Air Force Judiciary, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate (1983-84), and as International Law Advisor for the U.S. Republic of Korea Combined Forces Command, United Nations Command in Korea in 1983.

At the U.S. Air Force Academy, he graduated on the Commandant's List for Military Excellence and the Dean's List for Academic Excellence. He earned his J.D. degree in 1981, from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, with the distinguished Order of the Coif, Outstanding Graduating Senior, and Editor-in-Chief, Pacific Law Journal.

Manson has served on numerous boards and is listed among the Outstanding Young Men of America and Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. He is a member of the American Inns of Court and has received numerous military awards and decorations.

Manson is the first African-American to serve as assistant secretary of the Interior for fish, wildlife and parks.