Jamestown CAP cadet earns Eaker Award
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Amelia Matteson-Garza of the Jamestown Composite Squadron was recognized by her squadron in a special ceremony for earning the General Ira C. Eaker award.
Presenting her certificate as well as special citations from the New York Assembly and New York State Senate included Assemblyman Andrew Molitor and state Sen. George Borrello.
The General Ira C. Eaker Award is one of the highest achievements in Civil Air Patrol's cadet program. It recognizes cadets who successfully complete the requirements for the Eaker milestone, demonstrating leadership, character, commitment and continued achievement in the program. During the presentation, Matteson-Garza was commended for her achievement in Civil Air Patrol, in combination with her service to the community as an EMT, her 4.0 grade point average and participation in two sports.
General Ira C. Eaker was one of the forefathers of an independent Air Force. With General (then Major) Spaatz, in 1929 Eaker remained aloft aboard The Question Mark, a modified Atlantic-Fokker C-2A, for nearly a week, to demonstrate a newfound capability of aerial refueling. During World War II, Eaker rose to the rank of lieutenant general and commanded the Eighth Air Force, “The Mighty Eighth” force of strategic bombers. Even as a general, Eaker preferred to lead from the front, personally flying B-17 precision bombing missions over occupied France and Germany. T the Air Force celebrates his legacy by naming the service’s top school for commanders in his honor — the Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development at Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.