In The News

On Saturday, January 19th, Congressman Bill Huizenga presented two Congressional Gold Medals to Irwin and Orvid Lawson for their service in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) during WWII. Orvid, currently 92 years old and a resident of Wyoming, Michigan, served in the Sault Ste. Marie CAP Squadron until joining the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1945. His father, Irwin was one of 65 CAP members to lose their life while serving as a volunteer in the CAP. Irwin died August 10, 1945 and is survived by two additional living children.

Irwin was the head of the Civil Air Patrol in the Soo and Orvid was right by his side. In addition to some surveillance work, the Soo Civil Air Patrol was used for positioning barrage balloons and for identifying locations for anti-aircraft installations. The Soo was one of the most heavily defended inland sites in the United States during WWII because of the vital importance of the Locks. At its peak, approximately 12,000 troops were stationed there.

During the early days of American involvement in WWII, the threats CAP faced were in the form of Nazi U-boats threatening U.S. shipping – especially oil tankers – off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. CAP’s founders flew patrols that discouraged and eventually stopped the U-boat attacks saving hundreds of American lives. They also patrolled the country’s borders by air, towed targets for military trainees, spotted forest fires, conducted search and rescue missions, provided disaster relief and emergency transport of people and parts and conducted orientation flights for future pilots.

Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Each medal honors a particular individual, institution, or event.