- Medal of Valor (Civil Air Patrol)
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Contents
History
Civil Air Patrol GM-45, July 17, 1942 - National Headquarters, Civil Air Patrol, Office of Civilian Defense (Washington), established CAP first recognizable award for heroism. It was to be known as the Merit Awards, i.e. red, white and blue, cloth emblems authorized for individuals on special orders of the National Commander, will be of triangular in design and will be worn point down above the left pocket of the shirt or blouse. The Blue Merit Award was awarded for exceptional performance of specific mission, or acts of heroism, under unusually difficult or hazardous conditions.
As CAP prominence and stature was changed with first the transferred to the War Department, then to the US Army Air Force, this awards practice continued. Until CAP News Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 25–24 August 1945. Which announced that with the cooperation of the Heraldic Division of the Office of the Quartermaster General, a number of new awards have been designed. One of which was the three grades of merit citations, awarded by National Headquarters for unusually outstanding services or acts of heroism, have been designed to replace the triangular emblems now authorized.
It wasn’t until the publishing and distribution of CAP Manual Volume 1, Book 1, 1 August 1949. That one had a true picture of the replacement awards. One should note that for several years prior to the issuance of this manual there were very few insignia regulations published. Research has failed to locate any which apply to both cadet and senior insignia. The consequence is that the exact dates of authorization of various insignia items are unknown. Its is known that since photographs contained in the manual show members wearing these awards, one can only surmise there are some.
The Red, White, and Blue Merit awards were now replaced by the Meritorious, Exceptional, and Distinguished Services Award respectively. The Distinguished Service Award was still given for acts of heroism and exceptional service in a duty of great responsibility.
The subject of a specific medal so dedicated for valor or honor was discussed many time over the years, moreover many members requested or submitted, letters, drawings and designs that actions be taken about this concept. At the CAP National Executive Board meeting of 1–2 September 1955, Colonel Freeman stated that in awarding the three class of awards in CAP there was not a sufficient line of distinction between recognition of outstanding administrative work and cases of actual heroism: and the Board should consider a medal of valor to be given to those members who perform an act of heroism as distinguished from a deed of outstanding administrative work.
The minutes of the National Executive Board 19–20 January 1956, This was again a subject of much discussion Colonel Freeman made a passionate and eloquent speech, and suggested that this medal be called “The Medal of Valor”.. The Motion was made, seconded and unanimously carried by the Board that a Medal of Valor be established as top decoration in CAP.: the design and the medal be readily distinguishable from the present CAP awards: and the authorization for the award (once ribbon and medal are produce) would be the responsibility of the National Executive Board.
The question arose as whether the recommendations for this medal are retroactive. The National Commander (MGEN Walter R. Agee ) advised that it could be, but the final action would have to be taken by the NEB prior to their issuance.
Major General Walter R. Agee, Civil Air Patrol’s National Commander so directed his staff to ask the U.S. Army, Office of the Quartermaster General to design a special award for CAP Valor. On 2 July 1956 an official letter was forward by CAP National Headquarters, The Office of the Quartermaster General gave it an action number of QMGRD-H 421.4, Civil Air Patrol Medal of Valor. Further correspondence and phone call between both CAP and US Army offices did occur. And was so order that a design be submitted to Civil Air Patrol no later than 1 November 1956.
Minutes, National Executive Board 5–6 February 1957. Selection of the Design for the Medal of Valor. Upon a motion by Colonel Whelen , seconded by Colonel Rushing , unanimously passed by the Board, the following resolution was adopted: RESOLVED by the National Executive Board of Civil Air Patrol that design number 2 (as presented by the Heraldic Branch) for the medal and design number 6 (as presented by the Heraldic Branch) for the ribbon are selected for the Medal of Valor.
The selected and approve designs by CAP and the NEB were re-submitted to the United States Army, Office of the Quartermaster General to be presented for review by the Commission of Fine Arts. They approve of the Medal and ribbon design.
CAP Regulation 35-4, 1 March 1957 7. Medal of Valor. The Medal of valor was established as the highest Civil Air Patrol decoration by the National Executive Board. It is awarded to any person who, while serving as a member of Civil Air Patrol, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and heroic action, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of normal duty. It must be conclusively established the bravery or self-sacrifice involve conspicuous risk of life and the omission of valiant act could not cause censure.
Minutes, National Executive Board, 9 May 1957. Medal of Valor. The NEB unanimously approved the purchase of 12 medals at an approximate cost of $40.00 each. The National Commander (MGEN Agee) was authorized to establish criteria for the awarding of the medal. The awarding of the medal will by the National Executive Board upon recommendation of the National Commander, and each case will be handled separately.
Minutes, National Board-National Executive Board, 22 April 1960. The following resolution was unanimously approved: The present Medal of Valor is changed to two types: the “Silver Medal of Valor”, to recognize acts of heroism for which the present Medal of Valor is now awarded; and, the “Bronze Medal of Valor, to recognize act of heroism which do not meet the criteria for the award of the “Silver Medal of Valor”. It was decided as a cost saving approach, that CAP rename the present Medal of Valor and casting it in a silver color with the accompanying ribbon having the addition of three silver stars. The second type of action could be the awarded using the present Medal of Valor, and so renaming it to the “Bronze Medal of Valor”, with accompanying ribbon without stars.. It was noted that Silver stars are readily available for purchase at a small price. The Colorado Wing Commander Col. Charles F. Howard, suggested, and was approved, that the Distinguished, Exceptional and Meritorious Service Awards will no longer be awarded for acts of heroism. (AUTHORITY: p. 11, NEB Minutes, 22–23 April 1960.)
Civil Air Patrol Regulations 39-3, 15 August 1960. 9. Criteria for Awarding Decorations. The following is the minimum criteria established for the consideration of acts of service for CAP decorations. (AUTHORITY: p. 11, NEB Minutes, 22–23 April 1960.) a. Silver Medal of Valor. Distinguished and conspicuous gallantry and heroic action, at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of normal duty. b. Bronze Medal of Valor. Distinguished and conspicuous gallantry and heroic action, where danger to self is probable and known.
Because of the approval of the original designed “Medal of Valor” by the Fine Arts Commission Washington DC. To distinguish the difference between the Silver and Bronze Medals, it was necessary to add three Silver Stars to the “Silver Medal of Valor’ Medal and Ribbon.
Silver Medal of Valor
The Silver Medal of Valor is the highest decoration that may be awarded to a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force.
According to CAP Regulation 39-3, Section B, Chapter 9a, the Silver Medal of Valor is awarded to an active Civil Air Patrol member for "distinguished and conspicuous heroic action, at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of normal duty". The presentation of this decoration is authorized by the Civil Air Patrol's National Executive Committee.
The Silver Medal of Valor award package includes the medal, a mini-medal for the mess dress uniform, and the ribbon.
Bronze Medal of Valor
The Bronze Medal of Valor is the second highest decoration that may be awarded to a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force.
According to CAP Regulation 39-3, Section B, Chapter 9b, the Bronze Medal of Valor is awarded to an active Civil Air Patrol member for "distinguished and conspicuous heroic action where danger to self is probable and known". The Chairman of the National Awards Review Board is authorized to approve this medal for the NEC
The Bronze Medal of Valor award package includes the medal, a mini-medal for the mess dress uniform, and the ribbon.
Recipients
As of the March 1992 by National HQ records there have been a total of 92 presentations to 91 individuals, 5 of which are females, who as members of Civil Air Patrols earned its highest decoration the “Silver Medal of Valor” for “uncommon valor”.
The first “Medal of Valor “ was presented to Cadet John C. Barton C48-5528, Lake Charles Louisiana Cadet Squadron. for heroic actions on 19 April 1957. A certificate and Medal of Valor was presented to Mrs. Ernest Barton, Cadet Bartons Mother. Cadet Barton was not present at this presentation due to weather conditions: however, he did appear later in the program and was congratulated by the Commander, Continental Air Command Lt. General William E. Hall; National Commander, Brig General Stephen D. McElroy, the National Executive Board Chairman Colonel D. Harold Byrd, CAP at the 1–2 November 1959 National Executive Board meeting held at Ellington AFB, Texas. (AUTHORITY: p. 13, NEB Minutes, 1–2 November 1959.)
The first “Silver Medal of Valor” was approved for Staff Sergeant Charles T. Foster, SN 10002348,, Lynchburg Composite Squadron, Virginia Wing, for heroic actions on the 2 July 1957. This action was carried. by the 22–27 April 1960 meeting of the NEB. This was accomplished after the name and criteria was changed by Board actions and so approved at the same 22–27 April 1960, National Board & National Executive Board meeting held at Rice Hotel, Houston and Ellington AFB, Texas. (AUTHORITY: p. 9,, Item 8, NB & NEB Agenda, 22–27 April 1960.)
According to National Headquarters Records,
- The first “Silver Medal of Valor” was presented to:
Cadet Ronald Baecher, Florida Wing on NHQ PA# 68, 20 December 1962, for heroic actions on 6 May 1962.
- The first female to receive the “Silver Medal of Valor” was
SM Dorothy A. Kelly, New Hampshire Wing on NHQ PA# 5, 11 May 1977, for heroic actions during the Tenerife airport disaster on 27 March 1977.
- The first member of the National Board to have received the “Silver Medal of Valor”
Brigadier General Richard L. Anderson, received the “Silver Medal of Valor” as a Lt Col assigned to Arkansas Wing on NHQ PA# 8, 14 March 1983 for heroic actions on 21 January 1983.
- The only individual to have received two “Silver Medals of Valor” is
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- 1st Lt Gerald W. Alsum, Colorado Wing on NHQ PA# 4, 20 January 1979, for heroic actions on 5 December 1979.
- Capt Gerald W. Alsum, Colorado Wing on NHQ PA# 12, 22 April 1982, for heroic actions on 2 January 1982.
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