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NC Wing Will Honor Members for WWII Service

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Three members will receive promotions and service awards

By Maj. Don Penven
NCWG PAO

11/2/2012–Burlington, NC–

The NC Wing, CAP, will conduct a special ceremony to honor three NC residents for their service to CAP during World War II. NC Wing Historian, Lt. Col. Philip Saleet, said, “We are privileged to recognize the selfless, heroic devotion of three NC residents who stepped forward to assist the overburdened U.S. Military in combating the threat of German U-Boats along our eastern shores. The participants include Mr. Charles Weldon Fields, Greensboro; Mr. Clive Goodwin Jr.. Youngsville; and Mr. Paul Sigmon, Mt. Holly; and each will receive CAP lifetime memberships in addition to promotions and service awards as defined below.

Presentation Ceremony

“The presentation ceremony will be conducted on November 10 at NC Wing Headquarters, which is located on the Burlington-Alamance Regional Airport, NC Hwy 62 in Burlington,” said Col. David E. Crawford, NC wing commander. “The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. and it coincides with our quarterly Commander’s Call.” Crawford added.

Background

Civil Air Patrol was founded in December 1941, one week before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, by more than 150,000 citizens who were concerned about the defense of America‘s coastline. Under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Forces, CAP pilots flew more than one-half million hours, were credited with sinking two enemy submarines and rescued hundreds of crash survivors during World War II. On July 1, 1946, President Harry Truman established CAP as a federally chartered benevolent civilian corporation, and Congress passed Public Law 557 on May 26, 1948. CAP was charged with three primary missions – aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services.

Participants

Charles Weldon Fields: Assigned as communications officer at Coastal Patrol Base 16, Manteo,

1st Lt. Fields flew as an Observer on anti-submarine missions, accumulating over 150 hours of patrol duty. He then transferred to Monogram Field, Driver, VA and served as communications officer for Tow Target Unit 21’s new base of operations. He will be promoted to the rank of Colonel and will be presented with the Distinguished Service Award.

Clive Goodwin Jr.: He joined a CAP squadron in Cortland, NY, and flew out of the Cortland Municipal Airport.  The squadron’s assignment was to fly Missing Aircraft and Search Missions for the Army Air Forces.  While serving with this squadron 2nd Lt Goodwin flew missions as a pilot during his active duty with CAP. The ceremony will include his being promoted to Lt. Colonel and he will receive the Exceptional Service Award.

Paul Sigmon: Corporal Sigmon assisted in building Coastal Patrol Base 21 in Beaufort where he found an overgrown grass field, surrounded by marsh and the home of thousands of mosquitoes.  Mr. Sigmon was one of the base members assigned to build a new runway.  Once the base was up and running, he served until the day it closed. He too will be promoted to Lt. Colonel and will receive the Exceptional Service Award.

“During the time these bases were active, the wartime effort, which included border patrol operations, search and rescue, disaster relief, forest fire patrol, emergency transportation of personnel and critical cargo and towing practice targets for the U.S. military, resulted in 64 deaths and 150 lost aircraft by war’s end,” Crawford said.

Special Note to Media Representatives:  Following the presentation ceremony, participants will be available for personal interviews. This is an excellent opportunity for media services to produce an enlightening, positive experience for their viewers and readers in light of the high volume of depressing reports related to the passage of Hurricane Sandy.