cap cadet program history

8/9/2019 CAP Cadet Program History

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HERITAGECommemorating the modern Cadet Programs 40thanniversary

Civil Air Patrol | USAF Auxiliary | Maxwell AFB Alabama

Cadet

Borman

Spaatz

Eaker

Earhart

Mitchell

Armstrong

Goddard

Doolittle

Lindbergh

Rickenbacker

Wright

Feik

ArnoldCurry


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S ince 1942, young people have been serving their communities and developing intoresponsible citizens through Civil Air Patrol.

But in 1964, CAP leaders decided it was time to reorganize the Cadet Program and begin

a new curriculum. To add credibility to their important work and help inspire Americasnext generation of pilots, engineers, mechanics, and aviation enthusiasts, CAP askedaerospace pioneers for permission to name cadet awards in their honor.

This presentation commemorates the 40 th anniversary of the modern Cadet Program.Following are images of original documents, signed by the aerospace pioneers or theirheirs, each a personal expression of support for CAPs modern Cadet Program.

Introduction

Personal expressions of support


3/13

JOHN F. CURRY

I was always very proud that I was withCAP in the beginning.

In his letter authorizing CAP to use hisname in the new Cadet Program, Maj GenCurry gives a glimpse of CAPs early daysand the fight to allow volunteer aviators to

support the war effort by performingmissions that only they could accomplish.


4/13

HAP ARNOLD

The boys and I feel it is a great honor.

Here, the widow of airpower legend HapArnold expresses her support for the CAPCadet Program.

Gen. Arnold, as Chief of the U.S. Army AirForces provided vital support to Maj GenCurry in his efforts to establish a Civil AirPatrol.


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THE WRIGHT BROTHERS

This letter shows that the Smithsonianknew well of CAPs plan to establish anew Cadet Program.

CAPs Charles Webb may have writtenthe Smithsonian because the WrightBrothers died bachelors. Without anywidows to turn to, whose permissionshould CAP seek to name a cadet award

in the Wrights honor?


6/13

EDDIE RICKENBACKER

Here, Eastern Air Lines chairman explainsthat he wants succeeding generations of CAP cadets to know him as America knewtheir World War I Ace of Aces. -- Eddie

Rickenbacker. Notice the editRickenbacker made to the official memo(bottom).


7/13

JIMMY DOOLITTLE

Jimmy Doolittles reply is simple and straight-forward, just what one mightexpect from the MIT graduate and aerospace engineer who led the heroic

mission to bomb Tokyo during the earlydays of WWII.


8/13

ROBERT H. GODDARD

I am deeply moved . . .

Aerospace enthusiasts know of Dr.Goddards legacy. But how many young

people appreciate him as the worldsfirst space pioneer? In this letter, Dr.Goddards widow thanks CAP forhonoring her late husband and perpetuating his memory through the

new Cadet Program.


9/13

NEIL A. ARMSTRONG

This document was returned to CAPunsigned, with only a brief explanationprovided by Armstrongs secretary:

Mr. Armstrong has no objection to the use of his name as requested [but] has concluded hewill not provide the signed authorization.

CAP leaders believe Armstrong feared a

dishonest person might acquire and thensell the document. Certainly this one-of-a-kind certificate would have great monetaryvalue had Armstrong signed it.


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11/13

CARL A. SPAATZ

Should the first Chairman of the CAP NationalBoard be jealous that the Cadet ProgramsPhase III award honors Billy Mitchell and nothimself, as Spaatz mistakenly believed in this

letter?

Not when you consider that CAP chose toname its ultimate cadet award after theairpower legend, Gen. Carl A. Tooey Spaatz.

Over 1,500 cadets have earned the SpaatzAward during its forty-year history.


12/13

FRANK BORMAN

Just three weeks before mans first lunarlanding, astronaut Frank Borman, whohimself would later visit the Moon, gavehis support to CAPs Cadet Program.

The Frank Borman Falcon Award recognized CAP members who continued their study of aerospace after earning theSpaatz Award. The Falcon Award was

discontinued in 1979.


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THE CADET OATH

I pledge that I will serve faithfully in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program and that I will attend meetingsregularly, participate actively in unit activities, obey my officers, wear my uniform properly, and advance my

education and training rapidly to prepare myself to be of service to my community, state, and nation.

cap cadet program history

Documents