Newton B. Drury (1889-1978) received the Pugsley Silver Medal in 1940 and the Gold Medal in 1950. The Silver Medal was for his leadership of the Save-the Redwoods Legue of California, while the Gold Medal was for his leadership as director of the National Park Service and for his courage, resourcefulness and adherence of high priciples. He was born in San Francisco on April 19, 1889 and became student body president and a leader of the campus progressives at the University of California, Berkeley. After graduating with a degree in English in 1912, he taught at the university and was an assistant to its president, Benjamin Ide wheeler. In 1919, he and his borther Aubrey formed the Drury Brother's Company, an adveritising and public relations agency.
In 1928, the decade's peak year for American philanthropy, the League had raised over half a million dollars and acquired 3,000 acres of redwood forest. When Horace Albright announced in 1933 that he was resigning as a director of the National Park Service, it was Drury who was a Secretary Ickes' first choice as his successor. His NPS reign as director from 1940-1951 was charaterized by purism and moderation. He coined the phrase' the Crown Jewels" to describe his beloved parks. A 310,000 scre Grant Teton National Park had been created in 1929. Drury became NPS director at the onset of World War II. Newton B. Drury was one of the truly great conservationalists of American history. Newton B. Drury Peak in Mount San Jacinto State Park and State Wilderness was dedicated after his death.