Congressional Gold Medal Approved for CAP WWII Volunteers

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - May 20, 2014 - PRLog -- The U.S. House of Representatives, on May 19, 2014,  approved Bill H.R. 755 authorizing the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor all Civil Air Patrol (CAP) WW II veterans in recognition of their service and exemplary record. This recognition includes CAP veterans from Connecticut who served during this period.

The Congressional Gold Medal recognizes CAP’s contributions during World War II, when members conducted volunteer combat operations and other emergency wartime missions under hazardous conditions. Those members, often using their own aircraft, displayed heroism that discouraged and eventually stopped deadly German U-boat attacks on supply ships leaving American ports en route to Europe and the Allied war effort.

Over 18 months, CAP anti-submarine coastal patrols flew more than 24 million miles, spotting 173 U-boats and attacking 57. They also escorted more than 5,600 convoys and reported 17 floating mines, 91 ships in distress and 363 survivors in the water. Of the 59 CAP pilots killed during World War II, 26 lost their lives while on coastal patrol duty.

During World War II, Connecticut Wing was heavily involved in coastal patrol and anti-submarine missions along its section of the Atlantic coast. Connecticut Wing also flew recovery operations to rescue American pilots who had lost their aircraft domestically. Joel D. Fairfax, from Madison, CT, one of the few living WWII CAP veterans, is one of those pioneering volunteers and a charter member of Connecticut Wing’s Danbury Squadron.

Colonel Ken Chapman, Connecticut Wing Commander, noted, “The early pioneers of Civil Air Patrol who served during the World War II era were true patriots. They were unpaid volunteers who “took to the skies” to help protect the homeland in time of need. These early pioneers are also an inspiration and role model to the Civil Air Patrol members and pilots of today who continue to serve in the areas of Emergency Services, Aerospace Education and Youth Development.”

Connecticut Legislators supporting and co-sponsoring the bill for the medal include Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Chris Murphy, Representative John Larson, Representative Joe Courtney, Representative Rosa DeLauro, Representative James Himes and Representative Elizabeth Esty. The Senate version of the bill already passed, by unanimous consent, on May 20, 2013. The approved bill will now go to President Obama to be signed into law.

Civil Air Patrol’s Connecticut Wing continues to search for living World War II CAP veterans and family members of deceased veterans to whom replica medals will be awarded. Inquiries can be sent to publicaffairs@ctwg.cap.gov.