Through his persistent efforts, Chang gradually established his reputation, and was made a "poet laureate" after winning many literary awards.
學不倦、寫不厭使張拓蕪在詩壇上聲名漸起，至少在軍中提到詩人沈甸，大家都知道是張拓蕪。民國四十五年，他參加國防部文康競賽，獲士兵組詩歌類第二名；民國五十三年，獲國軍第一屆文藝金象獎第二名。