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One of the awards presented to Gus Grissom.

It reads

Virgil Grissom Day
Mitchell, Indiana
Oct. 3 1959

In Recognition of the
Outstanding Achievement of
Virgil Grissom in
Astronautics

Dated October 3, 1959, this was about 6 months after NASA first announced the Mercury Seven astronauts (April 9, 1959).

"Virgil I Gus Grissom Days" festivities continue to this day.