Lt. Colonel Charles F. Neudorfer II was recently honored and presented with the Civil Air Patrol 50-Year Award for dedicated service recognizing his contributions to Civil Air Patrol beginning when he joined Civil Air Patrol as a cadet on February 1, 1971, a few weeks before his 17th birthday.

From the start, Lt Col. Neudorfer was an active cadet member of the Indian Head Cadet Squadron which was based in Hanson, Massachusetts . . . but that was only the beginning of an impressive tour of service.

Throughout his 50 years, Lt. Colonel Neudorfer would serve at the following Squadrons across the nation. Membership with the Barre Composite Squadron, VTWG, the Quincy Composite Squadron, MAWG, the McConnell Composite Squadron, KSWG, the Mount Vernon Composite Squadron, National Capitol Wing, the Fox Valley Cadet Squadron, ILWG, the Brockton Cadet Squadron, MAWG, the Bristol Cadet Squadron, MAWG and the Old Colony Cadet Squadron, MAWG to name a few.

But he served outside of Civil Air Patrol which included serving in the United States Air Force from December 1976 to October 1983 and the Massachusetts Army National Guard from April 1985 to February 2014

In addition to receiving numerous CAP awards and ratings, Lt Col. Neudorfer is most proud of receiving the General Billy Mitchell Award, the Gill Robb Wilson and the Meritorious Service Award with device.

When he was asked “What was your biggest achievement of the last 50 years?

He has three achievements that he was most proud of.

The first was that he was able to be an active aircrew member during the beginning of the Kansas Wing Blood Run program, which is still active today. The blood run program is a partnership between the Kansas Wing and American Red Cross (ARC) where the ARC, in an emergency, requests Kansas Wing to transport via airplane or ground vehicle blood products and/or tissue that are needed somewhere else.

Secondly, and taking place in the early 1990’s - he was able to hold Level 1 clinics, once a month for about a year. He says “I taught Level 1 to about 12 students during each clinic. Due to this work, I was named Senior Member of the Year for Massachusetts Wing and Northeast Region for the year 1992”.

And the final, and probably most importantly was while he was at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, he met a young lady, who he was able to keep a friendship with for about 40 years. That friendship ended in the two getting married in July 2019.

Over the past 50 years, Lt. Col. Charles F. Neudorfer II has served as cadet leadership officer, cadet activities officer, testing officer, deputy commander for cadets, deputy commander for seniors, administrative officer, personnel officer and is a two-time squadron commander for the Bristol Cadet Squadron and the Old Colony Cadet Squadron.

Currently he serves as the Director of Administration and the Assistant Director of Personnel for Massachusetts Wing.

Massachusetts Wing has always been extremely proud of his work and contributions made for Civil Air Patrol and the Wing which is why the members of Massachusetts Wing would like to thank Lt. Col. Charles Neudorfer for his service and continued support of the program along with congratulating him on this milestone achievement.

The General Carl Spaatz award is Civil Air Patrol’s highest cadet honor. It is presented to cadets who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, character, fitness, and aerospace education.

Along the way they develop self-discipline, a strong sense of personal responsibility, the ability to lead and persuade, and the foundation necessary for pursuing a career in aviation, space, or technology.

On average, only five cadets in one thousand earn the Spaatz Award and the Spaatz Award is arguably the most difficult honor to earn in the CAP cadet program.

It is truly an honor to have been a part of the presentation of this prestigious award to C/Col Peter M. Spinelli Jr. at the 2019 Mass Wing/Northeast Region Conference.

The AE Mission Award identifies the best wing in aerospace education in each region. The AE Mission Award is based on information submitted by the wings to NHQ/AE using the Wing AE Activity Report. The contents of the activity report are evaluated in four major AE mission areas; staffing, internal CAPR 280-2 3 JUNE 2014 5 programs, external programs and AE Plan of Action (AEPOA).

Massachusetts Wing of the Civil Air Patrol posthumously awarded a Congressional Gold Medal to Taunton native, 1st LT Everett L. King. The ceremony was held at the Bridgewater State University, home of the Bridgewater State University Senior Squadron on December 7, 2015.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor Congress bestows as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Congress recently recognized Civil Air Patrol members who served from Dec. 1, 1941, to the end of hostilities in World War II on Sept. 2, 1945

Lt Everett King served the U.S. in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) by flying missions out of Coastal Patrol Base #18, located at the former Coonamessett Airport in Falmouth Massachusetts.

According to Colonel Everett Hume, Massachusetts Wing Commander who presented the medal to 1st Lt. Everett Kings daughters, Susan King, of East Taunton, MA and Jackie Sousa, of South Dennis, Ma. said "this award is well-deserved and recognizes the acts of heroism and bravery performed by your father". "When a nation called for heroes" Hume said, "Lt King answered the call".