They flew 24 million miles: World War II-era Civil Air Patrol awarded Congressional Gold Medal

OPINION:

At long last, a Congressional Gold Medal has been awarded to the founding members of the Civil Air Patrol, which began operation under the Office of Civilian Defense on Dec. 1, 1941. Using civilian aircraft and their own money, the unpaid volunteers provided essential support to the U.S. Army and Navy, including armed convoy and antisubmarine patrols off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. They had an incredible record. During the war years, the heroic aircrews escorted 5,600 convoys, reported 173 U-boats and attacked 57 of them, flew 86,685 missions, logged 244,600 flight hours - and flew 24 million miles in total. The medal was awarded collectively to World War II-era members of the patrol this week at the U.S. Capitol. Three cheers, ladies and gents - and thanks. See their history at the CAP Historical Foundation.

And of note: There are some who should be recognized next, perhaps - the original members of the Office of Strategic Services - the OSS - the amazing predecessor to the CIA and U.S. Special Forces that also made a definitive and patriotic mark in the 1940s. Some efforts towards such recognition are in the works; a good resource: OSSsociety.org