Gold Medal Ceremony for WWII Civil Air Patrol Members Announced
November 25, 2014|Speaker Boehner's Press Office
On Wednesday, December 10, 2014, leaders of the U.S. House and
Senate will present a Congressional Gold Medal in honor of members of the Civil
Air Patrol whose valor and dedication saved countless lives during World War
II.
House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Senate Majority Leader
Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and House
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will take part in the bipartisan,
bicameral ceremony.
A tradition dating back to the American Revolution, the Gold
Medal is the highest civilian honor the United States Congress can bestow. Pursuant to S. 309, enacted on May 30, 2014, a single medal has been struck to honor collectively the World War II members
of the Civil Air Patrol in recognition of their military service and exemplary
record. Founded just six days before the
attack on Pearl Harbor, the Civil Air Patrol – which was comprised of civilian
volunteer pilot and aviators – logged 500,000 flying hours during World War II,
performing such duties as sinking U-Boats and saving crash victims. On May 26, 1948, the Civil Air Patrol
officially became an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.
The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, December 10, 2014
at 3:00 pm ET in NationalStatuary Hall of the United States Capitol.
