The Order of Daedalians honors, as its Founder Members, all WW I aviators who were commissioned as officers and rated as military pilots no later than the Armistice on 11 November, 1918. It perpetuates their names as the first to fly our country’s airplanes in time of war. The Order’s membership of commissioned military pilots, with its worldwide network of Daedalian Flights and its comprehensive awards program, supports the military services, and other aerospace activities. The Awards and Scholarship Programs of the Order and Foundation encourage patriotism, integrity, and good character in our nation’s youth; military careers as commissioned pilots; safety of flight, and excellence in the performance of military duties. The Daedalian Foundation’s scholarship program also promotes study in aerospace disciplines.

PROMISE OF A DAEDALIAN

In the presence of Almighty God and these witnesses, I promise I will forever abide by the Tenets of the Order of Daedalians: First, to place nation above self; Second to be worthy of the trust and confidence of Fellow Daedalians. I make this Promise with no equivocation or mental reservation and ask Almighty God to assist me in unwavering adherence to the spirit and provisions of this Promise. So help me God and keep me steadfast.

A BRIEF STORY

The Order of Daedalians had its genesis in 1921 when Brigadier General William “Billy” Mitchell, Assistant Chief of the Army Air Service, urged the creation of an organization that would perpetuate forever the deeds and memories of the first American pilots who, in W.W.I, were the first to fly our country’s airplanes in time of war. Present to hear General Mitchell was then Lieutenant Harold L. George who, 13 years later on 26 March 1934, at Maxwell Field, Alabama, as one of 35 W.W.I Regular Army commissioned pilots, formally established the Order of Daedalians to “... perpetuate the spirit of patriotism, the love of country, the memories, sad and pleasant, of our service during that period (W.W.I) and to further cement the ties of comradeship which bound us together in that critical hour of our nation’s need ...”

There were over 14,000 W.W.I aviators who were commissioned as officers and rated as military pilots no later than the Armistice on 11 November 1918. Virtually all have been identified, and each, whether living or dead, has a founder Membership in the Order of Daedalians even though some did not, during their lifetime, participate as active members. In the early years active membership was open only to Founder Members and their descendants as Hereditary Members. In the early fifties Named Memberships were authorized for active or retired commissioned officers in the military services and their reserve components who are rated as military pilots of heavier-than-air powered aircraft. Named, as well as Hereditary Members are assigned to perpetuate the Founder Memberships of WW I military pilots, thereby insuring perpetuity for the Order of Daedalians. A qualified applicant interested in membership must be nominated by an active Daedalian and the application, endorsed by three other active Daedalians, sent to National Headquarters for approval.

In 1959 the Order of Daedalians established the Daedalian Foundation to conduct educational, scientific and charitable activities in support of the Order’s Tenets and Objectives. The Foundation is a tax-exempt organization that relies on contributions, donations and bequests from the Daedalian membership to fund a comprehensive and varied scholarship program. The Foundation also publishes the Daedalus Flyer, the official journal of the Order of Daedalians.

                    DAEDALIANS AWARDS PROGRAMS

The trophies and awards sponsored by the Order of Daedalians:

U.S. AIR FORCE EXCEPTIONAL PILOT AWARD: A Daedalian trophy presented annually to one U.S. Air Force pilot selected by the Chief of Staff, USAF, for exceptional deeds performed to assure mission success, acts of valor as an aviator, or an extraordinary display of courage or leadership in the air in support of air operations. (New; first awarded in 1999.)

MAJOR GENERAL BENJAMIN D. FOULOIS MEMORIAL AWARD. A Daedalian trophy and safety of flight award presented annually to the Major Air Command of the United States Air Force determined by the Chief of Staff, USAF, to have achieved the best flying safety record during the award period. (The original Daedalian trophy; first awarded in 1938.)

U.S.NAVY EXCEPTIONAL PILOT AWARD: A Daedalian trophy presented annually to one U.S. Navy pilot selected by the Chief of Naval Operations, USN, for exceptional deeds performed to assure mission success, acts of valor as an aviator, or an extraordinary display of courage or leadership in the air in support of air operations. (New; first awarded in 1999.)

ADMIRAL JAMES S. RUSSELL NAVAL AVIATION FLIGHT SAFETY AWARD. A Daedalian trophy and award presented annually to the United States Navy Flying unit selected by the Chief of Naval Operations as having the most effective flight safety accident prevention program. (First awarded  in 1978.)

U.S.ARMY EXCEPTIONAL PILOT AWARD: A Daedalian trophy presented annually to one U.S. Army pilot selected by the Chief of Staff, USA, for exceptional deeds performed to assure mission success, acts of valor as an aviator, or an extraordinary display of courage or leadership in the air in support of air operations. (Pending US Army approval.)

BRIGADIER GENERAL CARL I. HUTTON MEMORIAL AWARD. A Daedalian trophy and award presented annually to the United States Army unit determined by the Department of the Army to have demonstrated outstanding professionalism and made invaluable contributions to the advancement of flight safety in Army Aviation. (First awarded in 1978.)

DAEDALIAN WEAPONS SYSTEM AWARD. Colonel Franklin C. Wolfe Memorial. A Daedalian trophy and award presented annually but successively to recipient(s) in the Army, Navy or Air Force selected by the respective service to have made the major contributions to the development of an outstanding weapon system in use by that service. (First awarded in 1970.)

LIEUTENANT GENERAL HAROLD L. GEORGE CIVILIAN AIRMANSHIP AWARD. A Daedalian trophy and award presented annually to the pilot, copilot and/or crew of a United States certified commercial airline selected by a Federal Aviation committee to have demonstrated ability, judgment and/or heroism above and beyond normal operational requirements. (First awarded in 1956.)

BRIGADIER GENERAL FRANK P. LAHM MEMORIAL AWARD FOR FLIGHT SAFETY. A Daedalian trophy and award presented annually to the flying training wing adjudged by the Commander, Air Education and Training command, USAF, to have the most effective flight safety program during the previous calendar year. (First awarded in 1979.)

LIEUTENANT GENERAL ALLEN M. BURDETT, JR., ARMY AVIATION FLIGHT SAFETY AWARD. A Daedalian trophy and award presented annually to the Army aviation training unit adjudged by the Commanding General, TRADOC to have the most effective aircraft accident prevention program. (First awarded in 1970.)

ADMIRAL JOHN H. TOWERS FLIGHT SAFETY AWARD. A Daedalian trophy and award presented annually to that training squadron of Naval Air Training Command adjudged by the Chief of Naval Air Training to have achieved an outstanding record in its mission-oriented flight safety program. (First awarded in 1968.)

MAJOR GENERAL WARREN R. CARTER SUPPLY EFFECTIVENESS WARD. A Daedalian trophy and award presented annually to the USAF unit at Base Level selected by the Chief of Staff, USAF, as having achieved the best supply effectiveness record in the United States Air Force in support of mission aircraft and/or weapons. (First awarded in 1962.)

MAJOR GENERAL CLEMENTS MCMULLEN WEAPONS SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AWARD. A Daedalian trophy and award presented annually to a USAF unit (Wing Level) determined by Headquarters USAF to have the best weapon system maintenance record for the preceding calendar year. (First awarded in 1960.)

GENERAL CURTIS E. LeMAY MORALE, WELFARE AND RECREATION AWARD. A Daedalian trophy and award presented annually to the USAF Unit (Base Level) adjudged by Headquarters USAF to have the best overall large base MWR program in the USAF for the preceding year. (First awarded in 1965.)

MAJOR GENERAL EUGENE L. EUBANK MORALE, WELFARE AND RECREATION AWARD. A Daedalian trophy and award presented annually to the USAF Unit (Base Level) adjudged by Headquarters USAF to have the best overall small base MWR program in the USAF for the preceding year. (First awarded in 1990.)

ORVILLE WRIGHT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. A Daedalian award presented to outstanding graduates of the undergraduate pilot training schools of the USAF Air Education and Training Command, the Naval Air Training Command, and to outstanding graduates of the Army Aviation School. (First awarded in 1960.)

LIEUTENANT GENERALS MILLARD F. & HUBERT R. HARMON AWARD. A Daedalian award presented annually at the USAF Academy to the Outstanding Cadet in the Order of Graduation the top graduate. (First awarded in 1960; the award was not ready for the first year’s top graduate in 1959.)

GENERAL MUIR S. FAIRCHILD EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. A Daedalian trophy and award presented annually to a member or members of the Air University adjudged by the Commander, Air University to have made the most significant contribution to Air University education or to Air Force education in general. (First awarded in1964.)

AETC COMMANDER’S TROPHY. A Daedalian trophy presented to the outstanding pilot training graduates from each class at each Air Education and Training Command undergraduate pilot training base.

DAEDALIAN DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. Presented as warranted to active Daedalians in good standing in recognition of outstanding feats of airmanship or other related and enduring achievements in the field of aeronautics. (First awarded in 1984.)

DAEDALIAN CITATION OF HONOR. Presented as warranted to individuals for extraordinary achievements or contributions that further the Tenets and Objectives of the Order. (First awarded in 1967.)

DAEDALIAN JROTC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. Presented annually to outstanding third-year cadets at participating high schools. (First awarded in 1978.)

DAEDALIAN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

MAJOR GENERAL LUCAS V. BEAU FLIGHT SCHOLARSHIP. A Daedalian grant presented annually to Civil Air Patrol cadets who, having demonstrated a desire for a career in military aviation, are selected by the Commander, CAP for ground and flight training leading to a private pilot’s license. (First awarded in 1977.)

DAEDALIAN MATCHING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. Annual cash awards matching Flight scholarships which are given to deserving students aspiring to become military pilots. (First awarded in 1978.)

DAEDALIAN FOUNDATION DESCENDANTS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. A limited number of cash scholarships in the field of aerospace engineering and flight offered annually to descendants of members of the Order who are nominated by Flights. (First awarded in 1998.)

DAEDALIAN COLONEL CHARLES W. GETCHELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS. Five scholarships made possible by a gift from Mrs. Getchell, the widow of Founder Member Colonel Charles W. Getchell, presented annually to outstanding ROTC cadets. (First awarded in 1990.)

DAEDALIAN AIR FORCE ROTC SCHOLARSHIPS. Scholarships awarded each year to outstanding Air Force ROTC cadets. (First awarded in 1990.)

DAEDALIAN NAVAL ROTC SCHOLARSHIPS. Scholarships presented each year to senior NROTC cadets who possess the desire and capabilities of becoming future naval aviators. (First awarded in 1991.)

DAEDALIAN ARMY ROTC SCHOLARSHIPS. Scholarships awarded each year to the previous year’s outstanding non-scholarship MS-IV Aviation Branch ROTC cadets. (First awarded in 1990.)

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES:

Founder Member: A person who, no later than the Armistice on 11 November, 1918, as a commissioned officer in any component of the United States Armed Forces, held a rating as a military pilot of heavier-than-air, powered aircraft.

Named Member: A commissioned officer in any component of the United States Armed Forces who holds a military pilot rating in heavier-than-air aircraft and is serving on active duty or is retired and drawing retired pay. Eligible applicants in the reserve components must be serving in the Ready Reserves (includes National Guard units) or be retired and receiving military retired pay or be designated to receive at age 60.

Hereditary Member: A descendant, real or adopted, of a Founder Member.

Honorary Member: A distinguished person who is not otherwise eligible for membership in the Order. He or she must be nominated to the National Board of Directors for approval and elected by the Membership at large.