Harold Hildreth was a division president in 1958 and an APA council member. He was described by those who knew him as an extraordinary leader. Upon his death in 1965, the division established an annual award for outstanding public service to the public in his memory.
In remembrance of Peter J.N. Linnerooth who worked for the U.S. Army and Veterans Administration as a psychologist, this award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding clinical or research contributions in the areas of suicide prevention, posttraumatic stress disorder, or provider burnout related to working with active duty military and veterans.