Pierre Sprey was a man of uncompromising integrity, peerless knowledge, clarity of thought, and unstinting generosity.  He brought all of these qualities to bear in his decades of personal engagement with the political economy of the U.S. military-industrial complex.  He had a profound understanding of its ramifications, both in terms of its shortcomings and the need for reform.  

 

The Pierre Sprey Award is therefore intended not only to preserve his memory, but to foster the same spirit of clear-thinking and courageous inquiry that he unflinchingly exercised, championed, and generously shared. 

 

Too often, today's media are willing to simply broadcast official misinformation on military operations, weapons performance, as well as the costs and budgets of defense programs without troubling to look further.  These awards are designed to encourage journalism that commits truth, not only in exposing waste, fraud and abuse, but in ways to make things better.