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General Carl A. Spaatz Award
The Civil Air Patrol, the official Auxiliary of the United States Air Force, has a three-fold mission: the cadet program; aerospace education; and search and rescue. The cadet program provides opportunities for learning, maturing, and accepting leadership to over 26,000 young Americans from 12 to 20 years of age. With advice and assistance from the U.S. Air Force, the Air Force Reserve, and the CAP senior members at the national, region, state and local levels, cadets are exposed to a structured program of aerospace education, leadership, physical fitness, and moral, and ethical values. As a cadet passes through this structured program, he or she accomplishes a series of 16 achievements, each involving study and performance in the five areas. Upon completion of each achievement, the cadet earns increased cadet responsibility, decorations, awards, eligibility for national and international special activities, and an opportunity for both flight and academic scholarships. The final cadet milestone award is the Spaatz Award which is earned after completing the Eaker Award and then passing a rigorous four-part examination. The exam consists of written exams in aerospace education and leadership, a written essay, and a physical fitness test. The Spaatz examination is very difficult and is earned by less than one percent of all CAP cadets who enter the program. The first cadet to earn this award was Douglas C. Roach, of the Michigan Wing. Cadet Colonel Roach was presented his Spaatz Award on November 19, 1964. This Michigan cadet became an Air Force pilot and later flew as lead pilot with the U.S. Air Force aerial team, the Thunderbirds. As CAP's most prestigious cadet award. the General Carl A. Spaatz Award is normally presented by an Air Force or CAP general officer, an elected state or federal official, or a cabinet level official. Once cadets earn the Spaatz Award they are promoted to the rank of Cadet Colonel. Those cadets, who later enter CAP's Senior Member program, are eligible for immediate promotion to CAP Captain at age 21.
At the first opportunity after graduation from the U.S. Military Academy in 1914, Carl Andrew Spaatz sought wings in the embryo flying service of his country. In 1915 at the aviation school in San Diego, he was rated Military Aviator. Combat flying for "Tooey" Spaatz began in 1916 with service on the Mexican Border. With his country at war in 1917, he became architect and commander of the American Training Center at Issoudon, France, which provided the pilots and mechanics for the fledgling U.S. Air Service. In the short time of three weeks, with the 13th Aero Squadron, he achieved three combat victories. The qualities of leadership and dedication to air power continued in the years between wars, including the record breaking endurance flight of the Question Mark, and support of the Mitchell airpower philosophy: the quest of Air Force autonomy. With his country again at war in 1942, he returned to combat, and formed the Eighth Air Force in England, and led the U.S. Strategic Air Forces in the European Theatre of Operations. He designed the plan and forged the structure, which through "round the clock" precision bombing hastened the Allied victory. The war in Europe won, this great air commander moved to the Pacific and applied his genius once more, again in victory. The quest continued in postwar peace, and finally in 1947 as first Chief of Staff of the United Sates Air Force, he finished the task as planned. Invested 1977 in the International Aerospace Hall of Fame Dr. C. Levy (former LTC, US Army)ALLSTAR project director http://www.allstar.fiu.edu |
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The General
Carl A. Spaatz Award, Civil Air Patrol's highest cadet award, has
existed since 1964. The award honors the late General Carl A. Spaatz, who became
the first U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff on September 26, 1947. General Spaatz
was also CAP's first National Board Chairman, a position he held from May 26,
1948, to April 27, 1959.
