Gray Eagle Award The Gray Eagle Award is presented to the Naval Aviator on continuous active duty in U . S . Navy or Marine Corps who has held that designation for the longest period of time . Because they are also considered Naval Aviators , a third award , the Ancient Albatross Award , is the equivalent to the Gray Eagle Award in the United States Coast Guard and is presented under circumstances similar to that of the Gray Eagle . History . The Gray Eagle Trophy made its first appearance in 1961 during the Navy ' s celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of Naval Aviation . The original idea . In 1959 , while serving as Commander in Chief , Allied Forces , Southern Europe , Admiral Charles R . Brown , USN , wrote to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations ( Air ) , Vice Admiral Robert B . Pirie , USN , telling of certain discussions he had with Vice Admiral George W . Anderson , then serving as Commander , Sixth Fleet . " We suggest that it be determined from official records who , at all times , is the senior aviator in point of service in flying ; that a baton or similar token be awarded him , and that , with due ceremony , this symbol be handed on down to the next man with the passing years . " Admiral Pirie took the matter from there . For a time the title “ Bull Naval Aviator ” was a leading contender for the choice of names for the senior aviator ’ s title . Various cups , statuettes , plaques and medals were proposed . Finally , a competition was conducted between aircraft companies desiring to sponsor the award . The design from the Chance Vought Aircraft Company ( later LTV Corporation , Ling - Temco - Vought ) was selected , and the Gray Eagle Award was brought into reality . The first ceremony . On 5 January 1961 , at Naval Aviation ’ s Fiftieth Anniversary Ball , held at the Sheraton Park Hotel , Washington , D . C . , Admiral Charles R . Brown received the Gray Eagle Trophy from Admiral James S . Russell , then serving as Vice Chief of Naval Operations . While Admiral Brown was the first “ active ” aviator to receive the Trophy , replicas of the award were presented to all previous holders of the distinction , or their representative , during the ceremony . The recipients included Mrs . T . G . Ellyson , widow of Naval Aviator Number One , Commander Theodore G . Ellyson . Commander Ellyson would have held the Gray Eagle title from 1911 to 1928 , if the award had been in existence . The Trophy . The Trophy , donated by Chance Vought Aircraft ( now Ling - Temco - Vought ) depicts a silver eagle landing into the arresting gear of the Navy ’ s first aircraft carrier , USS " Langley " ( CV - 1 ) . The inscription reads : “ The Venerable Order of the Gray Eagle . The Most Ancient Naval Aviator on Active Duty . In recognition of a clear eye , a stout heart , a steady hand , and a daring defiance of gravity and the law of averages . ” Names of those who have held the title , either actively or prior to the 1961 ceremony , are inscribed on the trophy ’ s plaque . The Gray Eagle Trophy may be kept in possession of and displayed by the command to which the Gray Eagle is assigned . Otherwise , it may be placed in the custody of the National Museum of Naval Aviation on a temporary basis until required for presentation to the successor . The ceremony date for the presentation of the Gray Eagle Award and the retirement date are not always the same . The award is passed down from the previous holder of the award on his or her retirement , or in case of death . A miniature replica is presented to each incumbent as a personal memento . Eligibility . Eligibility for the Gray Eagle Award is determined by the official active - duty precedence list for Naval Aviators , on continuous service , not recalled , who has held that designation for the longest period of time . The date of designation as a Naval Aviator is the governing factor for determining who will receive the award from the list of active duty officers . In the event that two or more aviators on active duty have been designated on the same date , the senior one qualified as the Gray Eagle . Recipients . * Charles R . Brown was the first to receive the award while on active duty ; earlier awards were retroactive . < br > * * Naval Aviator designation numbers were not issued after the beginning of WWII . References . This article includes public domain information collected from the Naval Historical Center .