General Carl “Tooey” Spaatz Award
The General Carl “Tooey” Spaatz Award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions in their lifetime to the making of Air Force or Space Force history.
General Carl “Tooey” Spaatz was the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. He was one of the Air Force Historical Foundation’s founders in 1953 and served as its first President. One of the giants in the history of Air Power, Spaatz flew in combat in the First World War, shooting down three enemy aircraft. In 1929, General Spaatz, along with a crew that included General Ira C. Eaker, set an important flight endurance record of 150 hours and 40 minutes, which was unprecedented 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 Spaatz’s command.
AWARDS
Featured Award Winner
2023
General Gregory S. "Speedy" Martin, USAF Retired
General Gregory S. “Speedy” Martin retired after 35 years of military service in September 2005, as Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, leading research, development, test and evaluation, and providing the acquisition management services and logistics support necessary to keep Air Force weapon systems ready for war. He commanded a workforce of over 80,000 military and civilian personnel and administered the Air Force’s largest MAJCOM operating budget. Since retiring, General Martin has continued his exceptional service as a mentor and leader, serving as a Senior Mentor to the U.S. Joint Forces Command and serving on two Defense Science Board Studies. He is also Chairman of the National Academies Air Force Studies Board of Directors, and a member of the MITRE Air Force Advisory Board. He is the Chairman of The Durango Group, as well as a consultant to many defense sector firms. The rare combination of intellectual acumen and deft leadership skills he brings to every task have kept him in high demand as a leader, director, and mentor.
Past Spaatz Award Recipients
- 2021: Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond, USSF
- 2019: Gen. John P. Jumper, USAF (Ret)
- 2018: Mr. Sherman N. Mullin
- 2017: General Richard B. Myers, USAF (Ret)
- 2016: Dr. Donald B. Rice
- 2015: Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, USAF (Ret)
- 2014: Gen. Lloyd W. Newton, USAF (Ret)
- 2013: Gen. John A. Shaud, USAF (Ret)
- 2011: Lt. Gen. James Clapper, USAF (Ret), Director of National Intelligence
- 2010: Gen. Larry D. Welch, USAF (Ret)
- 2009: Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Stafford, USAF (Ret)
- 2008: Maj. Gen. John R. Alison, USAF (Ret)
- 2007: Gen. David C. Jones, USAF (Ret)