The Air Force Memorial
Presentation of the James H. Doolittle Award
55th Wing
Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska
In recognition of its sustained, distinctive contribution
to the history and heritage of the United States Air Force
4:00 PM – October 9, 2019
Awards Banquet, Army Navy Country Club
6:00 PM, October 9th
General Carl A. “Tooey” Spaatz Award
General John P. Jumper, USAF (Ret)
17th Chief of Staff, United States Air Force
with introduction by Chief of Staff General David L. Goldfein, USAF
In recognition of a lifetime contribution to the making of Air Force history
Major General I. B. Holley Award
R. Cargill Hall
In recognition of a lifetime contribution to the documentation of Air Force history
Event Recap. On a beautiful sunny afternoon in October we conducted our annual Doolittle Award presentation at the Air Force Memorial, followed by a memorable Awards Banquet at Army Navy Country Club. This year’s recipient of the Doolittle Award is the 55th Wing of Offutt AFB, Nebraska. The Wing’s history dates from the beginning of the Cold War. In the decades since, the men and women of the 55th have contributed to virtually every aspect of global reconnaissance and command and control, making a critical national security difference and earning the respect of their peers and senior leadership. Col Gavin Marks, the Wing’s commander, spoke eloquently and passionately about the 55th’s vital mission and its various achievements. The Foundation is proud to have recognized them.
At the Awards Banquet we also applauded this year’s distinguished annual individual award recipients: the General Carl A. Spaatz Award – General John P. Jumper, USAF (Ret); the Major General I. B. Holley Award – R. Cargill Hall; the Best AIR POWER HISTORY Article Award – David P. Anderson; and the Best AIR POWER HISTORY Book Award – Colonel (Dr.) Phillip S. Meilinger, USAF (Ret).
We were especially honored to host the Air Force’s current Chief of Staff, General David L. Goldfein, who set an inspiring tone with his remarks and shared an admiring, humorous introduction for our Spaatz recipient and former Chief of Staff, General Jumper. General Jumper’s gracious acceptance regaled the audience with thoughtful observations from his lifetime devotion to airpower. A full house enjoyed the evening, and although Dr. Meilinger was unable to be present in person, all recipients were appropriately recognized.
Photos from the Doolittle Award presentation and the Awards Banquet appear elsewhere on our website and in our Winter issue of AIR POWER HISTORY.