The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1943-07-16
SERIES OF SERVICE AWARDS TO
BE MADE LATTER PART OF JULY

volunteer ground observers
! throughout the Miami Air Defense
Region have won new recognition
from headquarters of the First
Fighter Command at Mitchell
/ Field, it was revealed Wednes-
4 lay by Maj Philip Stevenson. reg
,Onal ground observer officer.
A series of service awards -
wings and medals - has been es-
rablished for civilian observers.
Mai. Stevenson announced. and
first presentations probably will
] be made during the last week of
July.
Topping the list of awards are
those for long hours of service
and for outstandingly meritorious
action. Presentation of the merit
medal is not contingent upon
length of service only. Maj. Stew
enson pointed out
In addition to the special award
medals. he added, official pins
have been adopted for liaisOn Of
ficers. district directors. area SUI
pervisors. chief observers and as
slstant chief observers. Also. vol
unteer spoilers will receive OBJ
server wings upon completing
three months service
The "5O0-Hours'' medal. and
For Merit" medal. highest
awarded in the Ground Observer
Corps. are given only with the APP
proval of the commanding general
of the First Fighter Command.
Maj. Stevenson. explained
Chief observers. assistant chief
observers and observers are elig
Ible for either or both awards.
The "500-Hours" medal is
awarded on certification that the
corps member has served 500 hours
or longer. Certification forms must
go through regional headquarters
10 First Fighter Command head
quarters for approval of the COM
handing general
Additional service awards are
provided in the form of 1000,
I 1000, 5000 and 1000 hours bars to
add to the medal
The For Merit" medal may be
attained by two methods Out
standingly meritorious action is
recognized by this medal. Full de-
tails of the act must be submitted
and approved by the regional
ground observer officer and reg
ional commander, and submitted
for approval of the commanding
general, First Fighter Command.
This medal also may be award
ed ground observer. recognition
officers and recognition boserver:
who have attained a certificate
Of completion in aircraft recogni
; ton. and combined service rec
ord of ESQ hours as observers.
by combined service. MAJ
Stevenson explained. 1T is mean
that hours spent learning anC
teaching aircraft. recognition arr
to be included as duty hours. a:
well as hours actuaily served OF
the post as observer"
When holders of the For Merit
medal complete 500 hours of ser
vice. the 800 Hours" bar will be
awarded for insertion IN the
medal.
Liaison officers. district direc-
,ors. district directors and area
superviSnrs become eligible for the
merit award upon completion oil
six months service. with approval
of the regional ground observer
officer and commander
Additional awards of service
bars for 500. 1000. 1000 and 5000
hours are authorized As c"TSp
members become eligible
Mai. Stevenson said service
hours of observers are now being
checked to determine those chg
iplc for awards. which he expects
NAV be presented this month
After the initial presentation.
he said. we will continue TO check
hours and service of all civilian
volunteers. certifying them for
aya-,Ie from time To time as tho
qualify" GAu