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Myers Earns Spaatz Award

Saturday May 18, 2019
by C/Captain Morgan Myers

Harrisburg, PA – The Grantville Holiday Inn was the sight of the 2019 Pennsylvania Wing Conference of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), U.S. Air Force Auxiliary. This year, Andrew Myers, 21 of Cabot was honored for achieving the rank of Cadet Colonel in February of this year. Andrew, son of Brian and Alethea Myers is a member of the Butler Squadron 712. The citation was presented by Air Force Brigadier General Michael Regan. Also on hand were Wing Commander, Colonel Gary Fleming, and incoming Wing Commander Colonel Kevin Berry.

The prestigious General Carl A. Spaatz award (rank of Cadet Colonel) is Civil Air Patrol’s highest cadet honor. It is presented to cadets who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, character, fitness, and aerospace education. Cadets qualify for the prestigious award after devoting an average of five years to progress through 16 achievements in the CAP Cadet Program. Along the way they “develop self-discipline, a strong sense of personal responsibility, the ability to lead and motivate, and the foundation necessary for pursuing a career in aviation, space, or technology,” according to a news release.

The final step a cadet must complete to earn the Spaatz Award is a rigorous three-part exam consisting of a challenging physical fitness test, a comprehensive exam on leadership, and a comprehensive exam on aerospace education. Upon passing the Spaatz Award exams, the cadet is promoted to the grade of Cadet Colonel.

Myers joined the Butler Composite Squadron in November of 2014, and is the 2,220th person to receive this prestigious rank, and the first in his squadron. He has previously earned the CAP Achievement Award, the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, and the Air Force Association Award.

Colonel Myers attributes his success to the help and encouragement of the senior membership at the squadron, his family, and most of all his faith in God.

On average, only one half of one percent earn the Spaatz Award. Since the Award’s inception in 1964, Civil Air Patrol has presented the Spaatz Award to only 2,226 cadets Nationwide. The award also comes with a $1,000.00 college scholarship.

Andrew, having turned 21 has moved into senior membership status, and is serving his squadron through this capacity, helping and encouraging other young cadets as they rise through the ranks. Andrew is pleased to be part of a great organization, and encourages any young person to stop by and see what the Civil Air Patrol is all about. Squadron 712 meets on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Butler Airport.

 

 

About the Spaatz Award

THE GENERAL CARL A. SPAATZ AWARD is Civil Air Patrol’s highest cadet honor. It is presented to cadets who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, character, fitness, and aerospace education. Cadets qualify for this prestigious award after devoting an average of four years to progress through sixteen achievements in the CAP Cadet Program. Along the way they develop self-discipline, a strong sense of personal responsibility, the ability to lead and persuade, and the foundation necessary for pursuing a career in aviation, space, or technology. The final step a cadet must complete to earn the Spaatz Award is a rigorous four-part exam consisting of a challenging physical fitness test, an essay exam testing their moral reasoning, a comprehensive written exam on leadership, and a comprehensive written exam on aerospace education. Upon passing the Spaatz Award exams, the cadet is promoted to the grade of cadet colonel. The Spaatz Award is named in honor of Carl “Tooey” Spaatz, the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. One of the giants in the history of airpower, in 1929 Spaatz, together with another pilot, set an important flight endurance record of 150 hours and 40 minutes in the early days of aviation. During World War II, he commanded the Allied air campaign against the Nazis. In the Pacific Theater, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki took place under his command. After retiring from the Air Force, General Spaatz served as the first chairman of the Civil Air Patrol National Board. Since the award’s inception in 1964, Civil Air Patrol has presented the Spaatz Award to only cadets nation-wide. Spaatz Cadets are expected to serve as role models for junior cadets, and become leaders in their communities as they enter adulthood. The first recipient of the Spaatz Award, Michigan’s Douglas C. Roach, served as a pilot with the Air Force Thunderbirds.

 

About General Spaatz

Carl “Tooey” Spaatz was the first to serve as Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. One of the giants in the history of airpower, in 1929 Spaatz, together with a crew that included Ira C. Eaker, set an important flight endurance record of 150 hours and 40 minutes in the early days of aviation. During World War II, he commanded the Allied air campaign against the Nazis. In the Pacific Theater, the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki took place under his command. After retiring from the Air Force, General Spaatz served as the first chairman of the Civil Air Patrol National Board. 

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