Honoring the Civil Air Patrol

Last year, two bills were introduced late in the 111th Congress in the House and Senate to award Civil Air Patrol the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of its World War II members who provided, as civilian volunteers using their own aircraft, extraordinary public and combat emergency services during a critical time of need for the nation. The bills would award a single gold medal to the CAP. Because both bills were introduced late in the 111th Congress they did not gain enough cosponsors to be considered in their relevant committees before the end of that Congress.

A bipartisan Senate bill was recently introduced by Senator Tom Harkin. Its initial cosponsors include Senators Begich, Crapo, Inouye, Johnson (SD), Snowe, and Wyden. It recognizes the unusual civilian wartime service of the CAP.

During World War II CAP volunteers used their own aircraft to provide extraordinary combat and emergency services during a critical time for the nation. Within a month of the war’s start German submarines began sinking vital shipping within sight of Americans standing on the Atlantic Coast. By March 1942 the situation had become so critical that CAP was asked to assist. During the next 18 months CAP aircraft were armed with bombs and 24 million miles were flown in search of enemy submarines. CAP would sink two submarines, attack 57 and report 173 to the military. These civilian combat operations, which were often flown in weather and conditions that grounded the military, came at a high cost with 26 fatalities and 90 aircraft lost. As important as the antisubmarine patrol was it was only a fraction of CAP’s total effort. It quickly established itself as a vital resource to the military, states and communities by performing search and rescue, border patrol, forest fire patrol, target towing, courier flights and many other missions. With an emphasis on safety and organization CAP would end the war with 750,000 flying hours and the loss of only 64 members and 150 aircraft.

Today, as a non-profit public service organization and the Air Force Auxiliary, CAP continues to conduct critical volunteer homeland security and emergency missions for the nation. Despite their courageous efforts CAP members received little recognition for their wartime service and no veteran’s benefits. While the date is late, this award would be fitting recognition for those still here and the families of those who died during and since the war. It is the right thing to do. A direct request for Congress members to cosponsor this important legislation is needed. Without 67 cosponsors this bill will not be considered in the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.

Last year, two similar bills were introduced late in the 111th Congress in the House and Senate to award Civil Air Patrol the CGM in recognition of its World War II members who provided, as civilian volunteers using their own aircraft, extraordinary public and combat emergency services during a critical time of need for the nation. The bills would award a single gold medal to the CAP. Because both bills were introduced late in the 111th Congress they did not gain enough cosponsors to be considered in their relevant committees before the end of that Congress.

If you are interested in helping to insure these patriotic Americans are given a top honor from our country in gratitude for their service, the time to act is now. Contact the office of your representatives in Congress - in both the House and the Senate - and let's show our support. These heroes are leaving us in big numbers and there is a sense of urgency in this action.