A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation to award Civil Air Patrol veterans of World War II with a single Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their service and sacrifices. “These individuals courageously answered the call of duty and deserve to be honored for their extraordinary service,” said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) in a release. He commands CAP’s Congressional squadron. His bill (S. 418), with five original co-sponsors, is identical in language to the one that Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA) has offered (H.R. 719). More than 60,000 civilian volunteers served in the CAP during the war in roles such as anti-submarine coastal patrols off of the nation’s coasts. They used their own aircraft. By the end of the war, 64 members had died in service. The CAP, the Air Force’s auxiliary, will celebrate its 70th anniversary on Dec. 1. (CAP release)
Amid a high-profile recruiting crisis, Air Force leaders and experts have increasingly noted the challenging long-term trends the service will face in enticing young Americans to sign up—decreasing eligibility to serve, less propensity to do so, and less familiarity with the military. But while those same leaders say there’s no “silver…