When CAP Met Wreaths Across America

CIVIL AIR PATROL January-March 2011 FEATURES 2 Congressional Gold Medal Efforts Begin On Capitol Hill To Honor Civil Air Patrol’s World War II-Era Members 8 A Rare Honor U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. National Headquarters John Swain, CAP Photo by Col. 23 West Virginia Members Receive Bronze Medal Of Valor Schwartz and Civil Air Patrol National 12 Clothes Make This Man Commander Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter reflect on the sacrifices of American veterans in a wreath-laying Newest BoG Member Sports Quite The Wardrobe ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery outside the 15 Safety By Design nation’s capital in mid-December. Several Push Is On To Better CAP’s Safety Record remembrance events were held there, as well as at more than 500 cemeteries and memorials in the U.S. 19 Naval Commander and 24 abroad, as CAP joined with other Wreaths Former Senior Member Helps Lead The 2nd Fleet Across America partners to honor the fallen. 23 Wreaths Across America Partnership Is CAP’s Premier Community Service Project SUBSCRIPTIONS 31 From Convenience To Passion The annual subscription rate is $25. To subscribe, mail a Evolution Of CAP’s Involvement In Wreaths Across America check to Volunteer Subscriptions, CAP Public Affairs, 105 34 Kemp’s Ridley Turtles S. Hansell St., Bldg. 714, Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6332. Aerial Surveillance Supports Research Project 37 Historic Headquarters ON OUR COVER CAP Corporate Staff Moves Back Into ‘New’ Home Civil Air Patrol’s earliest members, like this unidentified 40 All In The Family woman posing in front of a vintage CAP aircraft, served Cadet Program Propels Brothers Into Aviation Careers during World War II. While female volunteers provided 43 A Wonderful Life liaison and forest patrols, male members took to the sky to Longtime Member Melds Adventure With Finance help protect America’s shores from enemy submarines, 46 Record-Setter ensuring the nation’s critical shipping lanes remained open. CAP Pilot Establishes Eight Aviation World Records CAP’s presence was crucial to the war effort, providing homeland security at a time when most U.S. troops were 49 Magical Makeup confronting the enemy overseas. Today, nearly 70 years after Applying Moulage Makes Training More Realistic their vigilant and heroic service, modern-day CAP members are working to get these pioneers the recognition they DEPARTMENTS deserve. Read more about the effort to honor them with the Congressional Gold Medal, beginning on page 2. 7 From Your National Commander Photo courtesy of CAP Historical Foundation 18 Open Cockpit 48 Crossword Civil Air Patrol Volunteer is oriented toward both internal (CAP) and external audiences. For that reason, it uses the Associated Press style for such things as 52 Achievements military abbreviations. Associated Press style is the standard used for most newspapers and magazines. Official internal CAP communications should 53 Region News continue to use the U.S. Air Force rank abbreviations found in CAPR 35-5. Citizens Serving Communities...Above and Beyond 1 www.gocivilairpatrol.com Battle for the Congressional Gold Medal By Col. John Swain Photo courtesy of CAP Historical Foundation Photo courtesy of CAP References to the dark, stormy days of March 1942 concern not the The Coastal Patrol weather but rather the dire situation facing the nation back then. began in 1942 as a 90- America was at war, and its first major battle was raging within sight of day experiment. This thousands on shore as German submarines attacked U.S. shipping close year, Civil Air Patrol in along the East Coast. There were too few military aircraft and ships celebrates its 70th year R available to effectively respond, as cargo ships, especially vital oil tankers, of service to America. Civil Air Patrol Volunteer 2 January-March 2011 were being sunk at an alarming rate. It was so bad U.S. flown more than 750,000 hours with a loss of 64 Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Marshal said the personnel and 150 aircraft. shipping losses off the Atlantic coast and in the CAP’s wartime organization, missions and programs Caribbean “now threaten our entire war effort.” set the stage for the modern Civil Air Patrol that It was at this moment Civil Air Patrol first came to would emerge, along with creation of the new U.S. the aid of its country. Urged on by oil companies, whose Air Force. tankers were routinely being sunk, the military approved A modern battle on Capitol Hill assistance from CAP, then known as the Coastal Patrol, Fast forward to the present, where a more peaceful as a 90-day experiment. Volunteer civilian pilots, using “battle” is under way to award our World War II their own aircraft, equipment and often money, began members the Congressional Gold Medal for outstanding patrolling the coastal waters to help stop the carnage. and unusual public service. It is the highest honor the Their mission was to report enemy submarines to the U.S. Congress can bestow on an individual or group. military and to drive the subs underwater, where they The gold medal dates to March 1776, before the would be forced to slow down and use their limited nation had declared its independence, when the battery power. Continental Congress awarded Gen. George Washington So many submarines were spotted, however, the the first gold medal for his leadership in driving British decision was soon made to arm CAP’s light aircraft with troops out of Boston. Since then the medal has been small bombs and its larger aircraft with 325-pound awarded more than 300 times to individuals such as Lt. depth charges. These combat missions were highly Gen. Ira Eaker, Winston Churchill, Robert Frost and the unusual, since they involved civilians flying 100 miles or Wright brothers, as well as to such groups as the more from shore in all kinds of weather, but they American Red Cross, the Tuskegee Airmen and the continued for a year and a half until the military took Women Airforce Service Pilots. over all patrol duties over water. In the end, CAP sank If awarded to CAP, a special gold medal would be at least two submarines and attacked another 57. designed honoring those who served. One medal would Twenty-six CAP members were killed and 90 aircraft be struck and presented formally in the U.S. Capitol to were lost as the Coastal Patrol helped force the German CAP in a ceremony involving the leadership of the Navy to move further offshore. It was a significant result House, Senate, executive branch and Department of from a newly formed civilian organization. Defense, as well as CAP’s leadership and those World During this time CAP also began youth and aviation War II members and families who could attend. The education programs and established nationwide medal would be given to the Smithsonian Institution for operations in support of state and federal home front safekeeping, though it could be loaned to CAP for war efforts. These included border patrol, target towing, display purposes and special events. Duplicate bronze forest fire spotting, search and rescue, disaster relief and medals would be struck and purchased for CAP’s World emergency transport of people and parts. Many of these War II members (or their families) who can be missions were extremely dangerous, sometimes flown in identified. CAP members and the public also would be weather that grounded the military. As an example, able to buy replica medals. seven pilots died and 23 aircraft were lost towing targets to train military anti-aircraft gunners and fighter pilots. What you can — and should — do One CAP pilot found shell fragments in his parachute Your help is essential if CAP is ever to receive a pack. Behind all of these missions were radio operators, Congressional Gold Medal. Present-day CAP members, mechanics and administrators who played supporting in addition to World War II members, their families and roles. Records do not completely reflect all of CAP’s friends, all need to contact their senators and flight hours and efforts, but by war’s end CAP had representatives to request they co-sponsor legislation that Citizens Serving Communities...Above and Beyond 3 www.gocivilairpatrol.com would make this quest a reality. It often takes a large and H.R. 5859, which were introduced in 2010 but number of requests before many members of Congress did not gain enough co-sponsors before the session will commit to co-sponsoring legislation. Two-thirds of ended; new bill numbers will be assigned for 2011. both the House (290 representatives) and the Senate (67 You will need to know the new bill numbers senators) must co-sponsor their respective bills before when asking your congressional delegates to be the relevant committees can take any action. The co-sponsors, so, starting in early January, go to bottom line is that, without enough co-sponsors, the www.capmembers.com/goldmedal to receive up-to- bills will never be reviewed in committee and enacted. date information that includes the bill numbers plus Moreover, time is of the essence. Many of our World progress to date in gaining co-sponsors, important War II-era members, whom this medal would honor, are tips and suggestions, sample letters and support already deceased. Action is needed now to make sure materials. Continue to maintain contact with your those still living and the families of those already legislators until you get a firm answer they are, deceased get the recognition that is so deserved. indeed, co-sponsors. • Second, if possible, help identify any World War II Here is what you can do: CAP members in your local area or wing who are still • First, write, e-mail, visit or call your alive or the families of those who are deceased.

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