The NASA Exceptional Bravery Medal is a NASA award for exemplary and courageous handling of an emergency by an individual who, independent of personal danger, has acted to prevent the loss of human life or U.S. government property. The award is open to government and non-government employees. The first two medals were awarded in 1969 to NASA engineers Bill B. McClure and Charles J. "Jack" Beverlin, who prevented the collapse and explosion of an Atlas rocket at great risk to their own lives. A feature on Mars was later named after them.