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Gene was the first Western star to perform at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Honors, Awards, and Recognitions

Posted November 22, 2016

Throughout his entertainment, business, and philanthropic career Gene Autry received many honors, awards, and recognitions from a wide variety of organization. You'll find many listed below and Gene Autry Entertainment will continue to update this section as we research and archive his personal history.

1936

  • Texas Ranger (highest award in Texas). Award was presented in 1982 as Gene Autry's original commission certification was lost in a fire in his home. State of Texas

1937


1938


1939


1940

  • Installed as first Honorary Mayor of North Hollywood by Martin Pallard, President of Chamber of Commerce.

1941

  • Berwyn, Oklahoma officially changed its name to Gene Autry, Oklahoma – the first such honor ever accorded a performer. Read more

1942


  • July 26, 1942 – Gene Autry inducted into the United States Army Air Corps as a Technical Sergeant. He served in the military until October 1945. Read More

1943

  • Sgt. Gene Autry serves in the United States Army Air Corps.

1944

  • June 21, 1944 – Sgt. Gene Autry earned his service pilot wings and promoted to Flight Officer in the United States Army Air Corps.

1945


1946

  • Gene Autry is honorably discharged from United States military service. During World War II Gene Autry was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Paciic Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Read More

1947


1948


1949

  • April 27, 1949 – Donal J. Connolly, Mayor of City of Trenton, New Jersey, proclaims May 28th Gene Autry Day.
  • December 23, 1949 – Gene Autry's hand prints and boot prints plus Champion's hoofprints commemorated in cement at Sid Grauman's Forecourt of Stars (today known as TLC Chinese Theatre in Hollywood). Read more

1950


1951


1952

  • "Certificate of Appreciation" – Los Angeles Police Show

1953

  • Award for "outstanding appeal to the children and in his ability to bring home to the youngsters qualities of kindness, good sportsmanship and clean living." Berkley, CA. "Be Kind to Animals Week"

1954


1955


1956

  • Planted an honorary palm tree in the oldest Coconut Grove in all of Hawaii, an honor only given to those deemed "an inspiration for fairness, typifying all the qualities of fine citizenship, fine sportsmanship, and clean living."

1958


1960

  • February 9, 1960 – received four Stars in the newly constructed "Hollywood Walk of Fame." Read More


1961

  • "National Interfaith Celebrity Award" – Washington Interfaith Committee

1962

  • Hollywood Bowl Lifetime Achievement Award

1964

  • "Founders Award" – Hollywood Advertising Club
  • "Man of the Year" – City of Hope. Spearheaded a fund drive as well as personally pledging support of the Gene Autry Heart Research Wing.
  • Horatio Alger Award

1965

  • "Salesman of the Year Award" – Sales & Marketing Executives
  • "Humanitarian Award" – Variety Club of Southern California Tent 25. In recognition of his dedication to the welfare of underprivileged and handicapped children.

1967

  • "Man of the Year Award" – International Western Market & Pioneer Awards Ball
  • Honored by Masquers.

1968


1969

  • "Special Recognition Award" – Boys Scouts of America

1970


1971

  • "Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws" – Pepperdine University, Malibu, California
  • "Man of the Year" – San Fernando Valley Business and Professional Association

1972

  • Elected to National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Served as President and Chairman of the Board.

1973

  • Appointed member of the Advisory Board of California State University, Fullerton.
  • "Gene Autry Award" becomes part of the John Edward Memorial Foundation.

1974

  • Appointed to Advisory Board of Woodbury College, Los Angeles, California.
  • "Headliner of the Year" – Los Angeles Press Club

1975

  • "Better World Award" for humanitarian service – National Ladies Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign Wars of United States.
  • Appointed Honorary Board Director of American Hall of Aviation History of Northrop Institute of Technology.
  • Appointed Honorary Member of the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce – Chelsea, Oklahoma.

1976

  • "Hands in Applause Award" – New York Sales Executive Club. For contributions to sports and entertainment industry.
  • Free Enterprise "Man of the Year" – Americanism Educational League

1977

  • Masonic Admiralty Award for "Outstanding Service to Masonry and his Fellow Man".
  • "American Patriots Medal" – Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge
  • "Americana Medal" for Cypress College
  • "Distinguished American Award" – National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame

1978

  • "Newsmaker of the Year" – Valley Press Club
  • "Super Titan Award for his support of students and the university" – California State University, Fullerton Alumni Association Board of Directors.
  • "Award for outstanding service and consideration toward excellence" – California State University, Fullerton

1979

  • "Man of the Year" – Palm Springs
  • "Executive of the Year" – UCLA Executive Program Association
  • "Golden Era Award" – USC Ethel Andrus Percy Gerontology Center
  • "Public Affairs Award for Media" – Coro Foundation
  • Scottish Rite, Long Beach – KCCH
  • California-Hawaii Elks Major Project Inc. Presentation to Gene Autry "In appreciation for outstanding service to cerebral palsied and other handicapped children."
  • "Grand Knight of Fellowship Award" for outstanding sportsmanship and community affairs – Knights of Columbus.
  • California Angels are the American League Western Division Champions.

1980

  • "Man of the Year" – Palm Springs Mounted Police
  • "Humanitarian Award" – Palm Springs Desert Charities
  • "Sports Executive of the Decade" – Westwood Shrine Club
  • Inducted into Hall of Fame Great Westerners – National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  • Mason's Fifty Year Award for Fifty or More Years of Service – Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, Guthrie, Oklahoma.
  • Appointed Ambassador at Large – Al Malaikah Temple
  • June 20, 1980 – Los Angeles Mayor proclaims "Gene Autry Week."
  • "Sports Executive of the Decade" – Anaheim Chamber of Commerce
  • "Headliner of the Last Quarter Century" – Orange County Press Club
  • Masquers honor Gene Autry and California Angels.
  • "Sportsman of the Decade of the '70s" – Orange County Sports Celebrities
  • The California State Museum of Sceince and Industry at Exposition Park presents the Gene Autry: A Time for Heroes exhibit and film retrospective.

1981

  • "Man of the West Award" – American Indian and Cowboy Artists Society
  • "Gene Autry Day" "Gene Autry Tribute" – proclaimed by Mayor of Andrews, Texas.
  • "Gene Autry Day" proclaimed in Anaheim.
  • Texas House of Representatives accepts Resolution honoring Mr. Autry for Fifty Years of Entertainment.
  • "Most Distinguished American Artist & Businessman" – Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce
  • Inducted into the Newhall Western Hall of Fame.
  • "Order of California Award" – California National Guard. (This is the Highest award that can be received by a lay person.)
  • California Air National Guard 146th Tactical Airlift Wing – Appointed Gene Autry an honorary Brigadier General for service to his country for 3-1/2 years in the Air Transport Command.
  • Clair L. Stout Award for "Distinguished American."
  • Named Honorary Fundraising Chairman of the Orange County Unit of the American Cancer Society.

1982

  • The California Angels players retired uniform No. 26, symbolic of Gene Autry's participation as the club's 26th player.
  • "Golden Plate Award – Salute to Excellence" – American Academy of Achievement
  • "Sports and Communications Industry Award" – Boy Scouts of America
  • "Good Scout Award for Leadership in Sports and Communications" – Boy Scouts of America
  • "Golden Mask Award" for honored American and Humanitarian – Hollywood Appreciation Society
  • "Humanitarian Award" – National Conference of Christians and Jews
  • "White Cane Award" – in recognition of outstanding service to Lions – Oklahoma Lions.
  • Circus Saints and Sinners honor Gene Autry.

1983

  • American Association of College Baseball Coaches Award for outstanding contributions to baseball.
  • "Buffalo Bill Award" – for contributions to quality family entertainment. State of Nebraska
  • "Will Rogers Award" – for entertainment in the Rogers tradition. State of Oklahoma
  • "Distinguished Humanitarian Award" – National Jewish Hospital and Research National Asthma Center.
  • Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from National University.
  • Elected to Thirty-Third Degree – highest honor in Masonry.
  • Dedication of Gene Autry Field – Esperanaza High School, Anaheim, California
  • Award to America's Captains of Achievement "Representing the many who excel in the Great Fields of Endeavor" – American Academy of Achievement.

1984

  • Anaheim Marriott Suite named for Mr. Autry.
  • Gene Autry Trail Dedication

1985

  • "Eagle Award" – California Paralyzed Veterans Association
  • "Hubert H. Humphrey Humanitarian of the Year Award" – Touchdown Club – Washington, D.C.
  • "Distinguished Service Award" – Grant Beckstrand Cancer Foundation
  • Masonic Distinguished Achievement Award.
  • Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree – Pepperdine University, Malibu, California

1986

  • "Distinguished American Award" – USO.
  • "Golden Grape Award" – Palm Springs Women's Press Club.
  • Gene Autry's birthplace – "South Main Street" renamed "Gene Autry Drive" – Tioga, Texas.
  • "Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year" – Palm Springs Senior Tour and Travel Conference.

1987

  • "Humanitarian of the Year Award" – Coachella Valley.
  • National Sojourners Award in recognition of outstanding service as Actor – Aviator – Mason – Patriot.
  • "Special Award of Merit" in recognition of a long and distinguished career in all phases of the entertainment industry – Publicists Guild of America.
  • "Good Scout Award" – Boy Scouts of America.


  • April 6, 1987 – Gene Autry receives his fifth Star in Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theater at 7000 Hollywood Blvd. in front of the Roosevelt Hotel. Gene Autry is the only entertainer to have have all five stars. Read More
  • Americana Ball VI Honoree – Palm Springs Senior Center.
  • "Spirit of Los Angeles Award" – Los Angeles Headquarter City Association.
  • Honorary Director of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
  • Honored by the owner of the Palm Springs Angels prior to a game.
  • Named Pioneer Sportsman of Orange County at a gala dinner benefiting Rotary International's PolioPlus program.

1988

  • Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum opens. Read More
  • Honored as "Pioneer Sportsman of Orange County" by Rotary Club International at Disneyland Hotel on February 4th.
  • "1987 Pioneer Award for Leadership" – Western/English Retailers of America. (Presented at game, since Mr. Autry was unable to attend earlier ceremonies.)
  • "Lifetime Achievement Award" presented at USC Jewel Gala benefiting USC School of Fine Arts.
  • "Headliner Award" – Los Angeles Press Club.
  • Honored at Edison International Field of Anaheim.

1989

  • "Scopus Award" – Desert Friends of the Hebrew University.
  • "President's Merit Award" – National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
  • "California Commendation Medal" for his patriotic support and assistance – California Air Guard.
  • "Suzie Award" – Eddie Cantor Charitable Foundation benefiting breast cancer research for the City of Hope.
  • "Grand Cross" – highest fraternal honor, at the 1989 Biennial Session of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite – Washington, D.C. This award has only been issued 18 times in the history of the Scottish Rite.

1990

  • "Award of Merit" – Rancho de los Palos Verdes Historical Society.
  • "Entrepreneur of the Year Award" – California Travel Industry Association, Governor's Conference on Tourism.
  • Voted into Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
  • Special award celebration the King of the Cowboys D.W. Griffith Awards.
  • Inducted into Orange County Walk of Stars.
  • "Distinguished Service Plaque" – California National Guard
  • Variety Club Salute to Gene Autry.
  • "President Reagan Award" – Hollywood Westerners Hall of Fame.
  • Tribute to Gene and Jackie Autry benefiting the Leukemia Society of America.

1991

  • "1991 American's Star Gold Achievement Award" – U.S. Marshals Foundation.
  • Tribute for his 25 years of California Angels ownership. Pacifico Avenue renamed Gene Autry Way – Anaheim, California.
  • Inducted into Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

1992

  • Doheny Award, Doheny Eye Institute Los Angeles, CA
  • Establishment of Gene Autry—Nolan Ryan Scholarship, awarded to high school applicants.

1993

  • "Eisenhower Centennial Award" – Eisenhower Medical Center Foundation benefiting Eisenhower Medical Center and The Birthing Center.

1994

  • Gene Autry Award – Named in honor of Gene Autry, this annual award was established to honor men and women in sports who have demonstrated courage in the face of danger or adversity. Co-sponsored by the Tempe Sports Authority and "Angels Care" in Arizona.
  • Honorary Doctor of Arts and Letters Degree, University of North Texas. In recognition of his distinguished achievements in radio and film as well as in business.
  • Awarded Cowboy Spirit Award by the National Festival of the West in Scottsdale, Arizona.

1995

  • Induction into the California Tourism Hall of Fame.
  • Recognized by "When U Dream a Dream."
  • Board of Directors Lifetime Achievement Award for International Achievement in Arts presented by the Michael Bolton Foundation.
  • Received a Key to Hollywood in recognition of "his lifetime of professional achievement and his incredible contribution to the betterment of our community."

1996

  • In front of the Autry Museum of Western Heritage, Gene Autry helps pass 1996 Olympic Torch between Sugar Ray Leonard and his son, Michael Leonard.
  • Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, in association with TNN and Fred Tatashore Productions, presents "An Evening of Country Greats" honoring Gene Autry and several other Hall of Famers.
  • Received the Spirit of Achievement Award from Junior Achievement of Southern California.
  • Appointment as Vice President of the American League given permanent status.
  • Receives the Will Rogers Cowboy Award from the Academy of Western Artists.

1997

  • The Southern California Sports Broadcasters Association honors him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
  • First inductee into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.

1998

  • Receives the Presidential Citizen's Medal from President Bill Clinton.
  • Honored by the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley at the First Annual Valley of the Stars Gala Dinner.
  • Honored during The Lambs Western Christmas Show, also made an Honorary Life Member.
  • Honored on the "Texas Trail of Fame" with an inlaid marker at the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District.
  • Named at number 17 on American Benefactor Magazine's list of the "100 Most Generous Americans."
  • Bronze statue, surrounded by replicas of his five Hollywood Walk of Fame stars, dedicated at Edison Field, the home of the Anaheim Angels.

1999

  • For Outstanding Contributions to Texas Aviation History, inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame.
  • Awarded the Buck Jones Medal of Honor for Achievement as a role model for the youth of America.
  • Gene Autry Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) League established whose "youth baseball and softball programs offer Boys and Girls Club members the opportunity to play in organized leagues in addition to learning life skills in a prevention program." Funded by Angels Care.
  • The Golden State – Ventura Freeway Interchange renamed the Gene Autry Memorial Interchange.

2000

  • The Anaheim Angels rename the Owner's Trophy the Gene Autry Award on his birthday, September 29th.
  • Included in Oklahoma Today Magazine's "List of the 50 Most Influential Oklahomans."
  • A historic building on the Sony Pictures Studios Lot in Culver City converted to a state-of-the-art digital editing facility and renamed The Gene Autry Building.
  • The Gene Autry Endowed Student Support Fund created to assist students with tuition and fees at the USC School of Cinema—Television.

2001


2002



2004

  • Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association creates the Gene Autry Award to be handed out yearly at their dinner. This award honors an individual or organization that has demonstrated extraordinary devotion to the heritage of the Western United States. Gene Autry is the first honoree.

2005

  • Hollywood and Highland renamed "Gene Autry Square."
  • O'Melveny & Myers completes construction on their new downtown conference center on the 18th floor of their building, and decides to name each one of the conference rooms after a Pioneer of Los Angeles. Gene Autry is the first to be thus honored. John O'Melveny was Gene's first attorney in Los Angeles circa 1934.

2007


2009


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