Would Award A Congressional Gold Medal To The Auxiliary
Vets
Bipartisan legislation has just been introduced in the 112th
Congress to honor World War II members of Civil Air Patrol. The two
identical bills are intended to award a single Congressional Gold
Medal to Civil Air Patrol in recognition of the highly unusual
service performed by the volunteer men and women of the
organization who, using their own aircraft, conducted combat
operations and other emergency missions during a period of great
danger to America.
In the U.S. Senate, Sen. Tom Harkin, (D-IA), introduced S. 418,
along with Sens. Mark Begich, (D-AK), Mike Crapo, (R-ID), Daniel
Inouye, (D-HI), Olympia Snowe, (R-ME), and Ron Wyden, (D-OR). In
the U.S. House, Rep. Bob Filner, (D-CA), has introduced H.R. 719.
The introduction of the two bills starts a national campaign to
honor Civil Air Patrol veterans in time for the organization's 70th
anniversary on Dec. 1, 2011. CAP was established in 1941, one week
before Pearl Harbor.
Inouye, commenting recently on the wartime service of Civil Air
Patrol members, said, "During World War II, these courageous men
and women dutifully patrolled our air space, searched for
submarines off our coasts and provided our nation with whatever
they were asked to give. They made the same sacrifices I and
thousands of uniformed armed service members made during that
historic conflict. They deserve our praise and should be honored
for their service."
The Congressional Gold Medal commemorates distinguished service
to the nation and is considered by many to be the highest form of
congressional recognition. Since 1776, only about 300 such awards
have been given to a wide range of military leaders and
accomplished civilians, including George Washington, John Glenn,
Robert Frost, Douglas MacArthur and Colin Powell. Foreigners
awarded the medal have included Winston Churchill, Simon Wiesenthal
and Mother Teresa.
The award to Civil Air Patrol would be unusual in that a single
medal would be awarded for the collective efforts of all CAP World
War II adult members. Other organizations that have been recognized
by Congress for their wartime contributions include the Navajo Code
Talkers, Tuskegee Airmen and Women's Airforce Service Pilots.
WASP Congressional Gold Medal
CAP and its members have received little recognition for their
World War II service, particularly the anti-submarine coastal
patrols, and were not granted veterans' benefits. Other than some
air medals for Coastal Patrol participants, CAP volunteers received
little official recognition of their service.
In order for this legislation to be considered by the
appropriate congressional committees, 67 senators and 290
representatives must co-sponsor the legislation.