california | gemstone | benitoite <tsp> alan_shepard | was a crew member of | apollo_14 <tsp> distinguished_service_medal_(united_states_navy) | higher | department_of_commerce_gold_medal <tsp> alan_shepard | deathplace | california <tsp> california | senators | dianne_feinstein <tsp> apollo_14 | operator | nasa <tsp> alan_shepard | awards | distinguished_service_medal_(united_states_navy) <sep> california is a state in the western united states, located along the pacific coast with nearly 392 million residents across a total area of approximately 163,696 square miles (423,970 km2), it is the most populous us state and the third-largest by area it is also the most populated subnational entity in north america and the 34th most populous in the world the greater los angeles and san francisco bay areas are the nation's second and fifth most populous urban regions respectively, with the former having more than 187 million residents and the latter having over 96 million 
alan shepard was a crew member of the nasa operated apollo 14. he was awarded the distinguished service medal by the us navy. which ranks higher than the department of commerce gold medal. he did in california. dianne feinstein is a senator in california. benitoite is a gemstone found in the same state.california states is the most populous state in the united states