Harmon Trophy

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The Harmon Aviator Trophy

The Harmon Trophy is a set of three international trophies, to be awarded annually to the world's outstanding aviator, aviatrix, and aeronaut (

aviator
.

The awards are described by the Clifford B. Harmon Trust as:

"American awards for the most outstanding international achievements in the arts and/or science of aeronautics for the preceding year, with the art of flying receiving first consideration."[1]

World War II and Harmon's death

Prior to World War II, the award was administered by the International League of Aviators (Ligue Internationale des Aviateurs), an organization founded by Harmon to serve as "an agent for Peace and National security."[2] The League became defunct during the war and Harmon's death on June 25, 1945 in Cannes, France[3] put the awards in turmoil. Harmon left $55,000 of his estate to continue funding the award in "perpetuity," but Harmon's relatives challenged the bequest.[4] Ultimately, a trust fund of $48,431 was created in 1948.[5]

During the period the awards were in litigation (1945–1948), the American Section of the League awarded the International Aviator Trophy to three U.S. leaders in aviation. However, since the awards were not approved by other League Sections, the awards are technically invalid. Also, these three awards were given without consideration to the "art of flying" and the awards did not recognize a superlative aviation achievement, rather recognized American aviation industry leaders. President Truman's staff questioned the award to Alexander de Seversky, Secretary of the Air Force

Pan American World Airways
President Juan Trippe in 1946 was the only one presented without debate.

Since 1997 or 1998, the National Aeronautic Association has been responsible for awarding the trophies. With the exception of the Aeronaut trophy, all are inactive.

The trustees wrestled with how to treat

space flight. Bound by the court to offer only three trophies, the trustees first agreed that "feats of piloting in both earth orbiting or outer space vehicles will be considered for the Harmon Awards provided the vehicles are controlled by their pilots rather than from the ground."[9] The advisory committee directed the trustees to alternate awarding the aeronaut trophy between balloonists and astronauts, but the trustees decided to offer the aviator award to aviation and astronaut recipients.[10] A fifth trophy was created in 1969 to honor achievements in space flight.[11]

Some aviatrix awards from 1980–1990 were awarded by the Ninety-Nines based on research performed by Fay Gillis Wells. This work was not coordinated with the NAA or Smithsonian.

The original awards were 24-inch-tall bronze statues.[12] The aviator trophy depicts World War I flying ace Raoul Lufbery launching a biplane set next to an eagle about to take wing. The statuette was created by sculptor Roussadana M'divani. The Smithsonian Institution acquired the aviator's trophy in 1950 from the Clifford B. Harmon Trust. The aviatrix trophy depicts a winged goddess cradling a falcon with outstretched wings. The aeronaut trophy was lost in Germany between May 1940 and October 1953 and was believed to have been sold as scrap. The three-foot-tall, 150-pound statue of five aviators holding the globe on their shoulders was found in a junk store and subsequently given to the Smithsonian after the presentation of the 1952 awards.[13]

List of award winners

The following is an incomplete list compiled from several sources. The Aeronaut, National and Astronaut categories have not been listed in a central location. The NAA and the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum worked to assemble a complete list to be published in conjunction with the NAA's hundredth anniversary in 2005, however this project was not completed and it appears that the source documents for a period of awards were destroyed.

Year Aviator[14] Aviatrix Aeronaut[15] National (until 1949) see below for Astronaut since 1967
1926 Lt. Col. Georges Pelletier d'Oisy, France[16] No award presented General Umberto Nobile, Italy Shirley J. Short, USA; Cdr. Hirosi Abe, Japan; Maj. Mario de Bernardi, Italy[17]
1927 Col. Charles A. Lindbergh, USA Lady
Mary Bailey
, UK
Commander
Charles E. Rosendahl
, USA
Joseph le Brix, Dieudonné Costas, France; Miguel García Granados, Guatemala; Francesco de Pinedo, Italy; Sidney Webster, UK; G. A. Koppen, Nederlands; José Manuel Sarmento, Portugal; Ribeiro Barros, Brazil
1928 Col. Arturo Ferrarin, Italy Lady Mary Bailey, UK Dr. Hugo Eckener, Germany
Carl Eielson;[18] Charles Kingsford Smith Australia[19]
1929 Lieut. Carl Ben Eielson, USA[20] Miss Winifred Spooner, UK Dr. Hugo Eckener, Germany Maj. James H. Doolittle, USA;[21] Hugh Grosvenor, Australia[19]
1930 Maj. Dieudonne Costes, France Miss Amy Johnson Mollison, UK Dr. Hugo Eckener, Germany (dirigible);
Ward T. Van Orman
, USA (spherical balloon)
Lt. Cdr. Frank Hawks; Lt. Carlos de Haya González de Ubieta es:Carlos de Haya Gonzalez, Spain; Charles Kingsford-Smith, Australia[19]
1931 Air Marshal Italo Balbo, Italy[22] Mrs. Maryse Bastié, France[22] Dr. Hugo Eckener, Germany (dirigible); Prof. Auguste Piccard, Switzerland (spherical balloon)[22]
Ruth Nichols, USA; Air Commodore; Charles Kingsford Smith Australia; Bert Hinkler, UK; Amy Johnson, UK; Peggy Salaman, UK; Captain von Gronau, Germany; Marga von Etzdorf, Germany[22]
1932 Wolfgang von Gronau; Germany[23] Mrs. Amelia Earhart Putnam, USA[23] Prof. Auguste Piccard, Switzerland (spherical balloon); Capt. Ernst A. Lehmann, (dirigible)[23] Roscoe Turner, USA; Warren D. Williams, USA (dirigible); Lt. Cdr. Charles E. C. Rosendahl, USA (dirigible); Lt. Thomas G. W. Settle, USA (spherical balloon);[23] Lt. Carlos de Haya González de Ubieta es:Carlos de Haya Gonzalez, Spain
1933 Wiley Post, USA[24] Maryse Hiltz, France[24] Lt. Cdr. Thomas G. W. Settle, USA (Spherical Balloon); Dr. Hugo Eckener, Germany (dirigible)[24] Mrs.
Mariano Barberan, Spain (posthumously); Herberts Cukurs, Latvia; Joaquin Collar, Spain (posthumously);[24]
Iwan W. Smirnoff, Netherlands
1934 Hélène Boucher, France (posthumously)[25] Capt. Ernst A. Lehmann, Germany (dirigible); Mme. Jeannette Piccard, Switzerland (United States) (spherical balloon)[25] Miss
Walther Mittelholzer, Switzerland[25]
1935
Edwin Musick, USA[26]
Jean Batten, UK

(New Zealand); Amelia Earhart, USA[26]

Capt.
Orvil Arson Anderson, USA; Capt.Albert William Stevens USA;(spherical balloon); Capt. Hans von Schiller, Germany (dirigible)[26]
Arnold Looz-Corswarem, Belgium; Michael Hansen, Denmark; Harry Frank Broadbent, UK (Australia); André Japy, France; Bertha Alisch, Germany; Elly Beinhorn, Germany; Mario Stoppani, Italy; Casimiro Babbi, Italy; Marchesa Carina Negrone, Italy; Hoja Dzenitis, Lithuania; Gomez Namorado, Portugal; Juan Ignacio Pombo, Spain[26]
1936 Howard Hughes, USA[27] Jean Batten, UK (New Zealand)[27] Capt. Ernst A. Lehmann, Germany; Ernest De Muyter, Belgium Mrs. Louise Thaden, USA; James Diamond, USA;[27] Carl Götze Jr., Germany; Harry Frank Broadbent, UK (Australia)
1937 Henry T. Merrill, USA[28] Jean Batten, UK (New Zealand)[28] No award presented Miss Jacqueline Cochran, USA; Howard Hughes, USA[28]
1938 Howard Hughes, USA;[29] Jacqueline Cochran, USA[29] No award presented Lt. Col.
Viktors Eglitis, Latvia; Victor Alfredo Lara, San Salvador; Maj. Tonnard, Belgium (spherical balloon); Capt. Max Pruss, Germany (dirigible); Capt. Antoni Janusz, Poland (spherical balloon)[29]
1939 Maj.
Alexander P. de Seversky, USA[30]
Jacqueline Cochran, USA[31] No award presented
1945 Francisco Pignatari, Brazil
1946 Juan T. Trippe, USA[32]
1947
Alexander P. de Seversky, USA[33]
1948 Ralph S. Damon[34]
1949 Louis A. Johnson[35]
1940
to 1949[36]
Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle, USA; Geoffrey de Havilland, UK (posthumously) (Citation of Honorable Mention); Capt. Charles E. Yeager, USA (Citation of Honorable Mention)[37] Jacqueline Cochran, USA; Pauline Gower, UK (posthumously) (Citation of Honorable Mention)[37] Vice Admiral
Charles E. Rosendahl, USA; M. Charles Dollfus, France (Citation of Honorable Mention); Lt. Howard R. Walton, USA (posthumously) (Citation of Honorable Mention)[37]
1950 Col. David C. Schilling, USA[38] No award presented[38] National prize not awarded after 1949
1951 Capt.
Charles F. Blair Jr, USA[39]
Jacqueline Auriol, France[39] Lt. Carl J. Seiberlich, USN[39]
1952 Col. Bernt Balchen, USA (Norwegian-born)[40] Jacqueline Auriol, France[40] Walter L. Massic, USA[40]
1953 Maj. Charles E. Yeager, USA[41] Jacqueline Cochran, USA[41] No award presented[41]
1954 Major Charles E. Yeager, USA[42] Jacqueline Cochran, USA
1955
Group Captain John Cunningham, UK[43]
Jacqueline Auriol, France[43] Lt. Cdr. Charles A. Mills, USA[43]
1956 Lt. Col.
Frank K. Everest Jr., USA[44]
Jacqueline Auriol, France Lt. Cdr. Malcolm D. Ross, USA; Lt. Cdr. Morton L. Lewis, USA[44]
1957 Gen. Curtis E. LeMay, USA[45] No award presented Cdr. Jack R. Hunt, USA[45]
1958 Maj.
André Edouard Turcat, France[46]
No award presented
1959 Capt. Joe B. Jordan, USA[47] No award presented Capt. Joseph Kittinger, USA[47]
1960
Robert M. White, USA[48]
No award presented
1961 Lt. Col. William R. Payne, USA[49] Jacqueline Cochran, USA[49] Cdr. Malcolm D. Ross, USA; Lt. Cdr. Victor E. Prather, USA (posthumously)[49]
1962 Maj. Fitzhugh L. Fulton Jr., USA[50] No award presented[50] Mrs. Nini Boesman, Netherlands (subsequently canceled[51])[50]
1963 Maj. L. Gordon Cooper, USA[50] Betty Miller, USA[50] No award presented[50]
1964 Max Conrad, USA[52] Joan Merriam Smith, USA (posthumously)[52] No award presented[52]
1965 Commander
Thomas P. Stafford (all USA)[53]
No award presented
1966 Cmdr. James A. Lovell Jr.; Maj. Edwin E. Aldrin; Maj. Alvin S. White (all USA)[54][55] Sheila Scott, UK[54] No award presented[10]
1967 Major William J. Knight, USA[56] No award presented Astronaut
1968 Maj. Jerauld R. Gentry, USA[11] No award presented Col.
William A. Anders (all USA)[11]
1969
Squadron Leader Thomas Lecky-Thompson, UK; Squadron Leader Graham Williams, UK[57]
Turi Widerøe; Norway[57] No award presented[57]
Edwin E. Aldrin; Michael Collins[57]
1970
André Edouard Turcat, France[58]
Sheila Scott, UK No award presented
1971 Lt. Col. Thomas B. Estes, USA; Lt. Col. Dewain C. Vick, USA[58] Geraldyn Cobb, USA[58] No award presented
1972 Lt. Col. Edgar L. Allison, USA[59] No award presented No award presented
1973 Col. Edward J. Nash, USA[59] No award presented Malcolm S. Forbes Sr., USA[59] Captain Charles Conrad Jr.; Captain Paul J. Weitz; Captain Joseph Kerwin (all USA)[59]
1974
1975 Lt. Col. Herbert M. Fix, USA Marion Rice Hart, USA
1976 No award presented
1977
1978
1979
Byran Allen
, USA
No award presented
1980 Lt. (jg) John Currier, USCG No award presented TODAY IN COAST GUARD AVIATION HISTORY – 26 OCTOBER 1980 (1 OF 3): an HH-3F #1484 assigned to Air Station Cape Cod, MA and crewed by LTJG John P. Currier (AC); LTJG Robert L. Abair (CP); AM1 David L. Seavey (FM) and AE2 Gordon R. Warren (AV) was launched at 3:40 AM in response to the 110-foot fishing vessel “TERRY T” out of New Bedford sinking with 10 crewman aboard. The eastern-rigged scallop trawler was 80 miles southeast of Nantucket in 30-foot seas, blowing snow and 60-knot winds gusting to 80 knots. The TERRY T reported “4-feet of water in the engine room” and requested dewatering pumps to help control the flooding.

Link: https://cgaviationhistory.org/sar/the-rescue-of-the-crew-of-the-scalloper-terry-t/

1981 Jerry Foster, USA[60] Janice Lee Brown, USA[60]
Richard Truly (all USA)[60]
1982 Dormon Cannon, USA; No award presented
1983 No award presented Dr. Sally Ride, USA
1984 Senator Barry Goldwater Brooke Knapp, USA
1985 No award presented No award presented
1986 Chief Warrant Officer Jon Iseminger, USA Jeana Yeager, USA
1987
Allen E. Paulson
, USA
Lois McCallin, USA
1988 Kanellos Kanellopoulos; Greece
Anne Baddour
, USA
Per Lindstrand
1989 Capt. George A. Hof Jr., USA; Dr. Max E. Shauck, USA Gaby Kennard, Australia
1990 No award presented No award presented Vladimir Titov and Musa Manarov, both Russia
1991 No award presented No award presented
1992 No award presented No award presented
1993 No award presented Vance D. Brand, USA
1994 No award presented No award presented
1995 No award presented Eileen M. Collins, USA
National Aeronautic Association.

Source:[61]

Year Aviator Aviatrix Aeronaut
1998 Steve Fossett
1999
Don Cameron
Dr. Bertrand Piccard; Switzerland; Brian Jones, UK
2000 David Hempleman-Adams
2001 Jennifer Murray, UK (USA) Richard Abruzzo
2002 Steve Fossett
2003 Richard Abruzzo
2004 David Hempleman-Adams
2005 Carol Rymer Davis and Richard Abruzzo
2006 No award
2007 David Hempleman-Adams
2008 No award
2009 No award
2010 No award
2011 John Petrehn[62]
2012 No award
2013 No award
2014 No award
2015 Troy Bradley and Leonid Tiukhtyaev[63]
2016 No award
2017 No award
2018 Nicolas Tièche and Laurent Sciboz (Fribourg Freiburg Challenge Team)

See also

References

  1. University of Texas
    , Dallas.
  2. ^ "Clifford B. Harmon to President Herbert Clark Hoover". Hoover Papers, Hoover Library. 1929-11-23.
  3. ^ "Col.Harmon Dies; Aviation Pioneer; Donor of Aeronautic Trophy a Leader in Modern Technique --Suggested World Force Turned to Ballooning Wanted International Air Force Part in Naval Bombing" (fee required). The New York Times. 1945-07-03. p. 13. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  4. ^ "3 Endorse Fund for Air Awards; Harmon Trophy Winners Testify in Fight of Heirs Against Bequest of $55,000" (fee required). The New York Times. 1948-04-21. p. 56. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  5. ^ "$48,431 to Harmon Fund; Sum Willed by Air Enthusiast to Maintain Trophy Awards" (fee required). The New York Times. 1948-10-27. p. 54. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  6. ^ "RB to Matthew J. Connelly". Truman Papers, Truman Library. 1947-06-14. p. WHCF: OF 1049 357R.
  7. ^ "Estelle Friedrichs to Matthew J. Connelly". Truman Papers, Truman Library. 1946-12-02. p. WHCF: OF 1049 357R.
  8. ^ "Matthew J. Connelly to Joseph P. Rowan". Truman Papers, Truman Library. 1949-07-25. p. WHCF: OF 1049 357R.
  9. ^ "Raphael H. Beauduy to Charles E. Rosendahl". Personal Collection of Charles E. Rosendahl. University of Texas, Dallas. 1962-02-21.
  10. ^ a b "Edward F. X. Ryan to Mary V. Brosnahan". Personal Collection of Charles E. Rosendahl. University of Texas, Dallas. 1967-08-03.
  11. ^ a b c "Maj. Gentry Gets Harmon Trophy" (fee required). The New York Times. 1969-09-08. p. 82. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  12. ^ "Archived copy". www.nasm.si.edu. Archived from the original on 5 December 2004. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ^ "Missing Air Trophy is Returned to U.S." (fee required). The New York Times. 1953-11-06. p. 14. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
  14. ^ Awards from 1926-1952 from Significant American and International Awards in Aviation, Bureau of Aeronautics, Department of the Navy, Revised February 1954
  15. ^ Aeronaut awards from 1998 on provided by the National Aeronautic Association's Recent aeronaut list[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ "Peace Ace". Time. 1927-01-24. Archived from the original on March 7, 2008. Retrieved 2007-02-16.
  17. ^ "Air Mail Ace Wins Harmon 1926 Trophy; Aviation Award to Pilot Short Is for Merit of Consistent Flying Over Spectacular Performances". The New York Times. 1927-01-14. Retrieved 2007-02-16.[dead link]
  18. ^ Carl "Ben" Eielson Biography, National Aviation Hall of Fame Archived 2007-07-07 at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ a b c The Harmon National Trophy for Australia, Airways Museum Virtual Tour
  20. ^ "Carl Ben Eielson, Pioneer Aviator". Office of Governor, State of North Dakota. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  21. ^ Aviation Trophy Given to Doolittle; He Receives Harmon Award at Cleveland for His Work in "Blind" Flying, The New York Times, April 8, 1931
  22. ^ a b c d General Balbo Wins the Harmon Trophy; Declared 1931 World Aviation Champion -- Ruth Nichols, Pangborn and Herndon Honored, The New York Times March 5, 1932
  23. ^ a b c d Amelia Earhart Honored; Receives Award of Harmon Trophy for Transatlantic Flight, The New York Times April 15, 1933
  24. ^ a b c d Post and Settle Win Flying Prizes; Gain Harmon International Trophies for 1933 for World and Stratosphere Flights. Mrs. Lindbergh Honored Takes Award as Leading U.S. Aviatrix Last Year -- Rosendahl and Eckener Also Named, The New York Times April 22, 1934
  25. ^ a b c d Harmon Air Prize is Won by Scott; Briton Gets the International Award for Best Aviator -- Capt. Lehmann Honored, The New York Times March 11, 1935
  26. ^ a b c d World's Air Title is Won by Musick; Veteran Pilot of Pan American Clipper Ships Is Named to Get the Harmon Trophy, The New York Times, April 18, 1936
  27. ^ a b c Air Prize for Hughes; Jean Batten Honored; American Cross-Country Flier and New Zealand Girl Get Harmon Trophies, The New York Times, March 1, 1937
  28. ^ a b c Merrill, Jean Batten Win Harmon Awards; Aviation Honors American and New Zealander-Hughes and Miss Cochran, Named, The New York Times, February 18, 1938
  29. ^ a b c Hughes is Named Aviation Champion; Round-the-World Flier Gets Harmon Trophy--Olds of Army Wins Medal and Diploma, The New York Times, March 25, 1939
  30. ^ De Seversky Honored for Plane Advances; Receives Harmon Trophy From President--Sees Air Navies, The New York Times, December 20, 1940
  31. ^ Trophy Presented to Miss Cochran; Flier Receives the Clifford Burke Harmon Award From Mrs. Roosevelt, The New York Times, November 9, 1940
  32. ^ Harry S. Truman - The President's Day, February 27, 1947
  33. ^ Harry S. Truman - Truman presenting aeronautics award to Alexander de Seversky, June 24, 1947
  34. ^ Ralph S. Damon Honored, The New York Times June 24, 1949
  35. ^ "RLK to Matthew J. Connelly". Truman Papers, Truman Library. 1950-03-22. p. WHCF: OF 1049 357R.
  36. ^ The Harmon Trophy was presented once for the entire decade. Time, November 13, 1950
  37. ^ a b c Harry S. Truman - The President's Day, November 2, 1950
  38. ^ a b Harmon Prize Won by Col. Schilling; Leading Fighter Pilot in Last War Named World's Top Aviator of 1950, The New York Times, July 5, 1951
  39. ^ a b c Airline Pilot Wins Top Harmon Prize; Capt. C. F. Blair Jr. Is Named 'Outstanding Aviator' - Award to Mme. Auriol, The New York Times, July 5, 1952
  40. ^ a b c 3 Fliers Selected for Harmon Prizes; Col. Balchen, Jacqueline Auriol and Blimp Test Pilot Named Winners of 1953 {presented in 1953 for 1952} Trophies, The New York Times, July 5, 1953
  41. ^ a b c Yeager, Cochran Win Air Trophies; Harmon Judges Pick Major and Aviatrix for Flights Topping Speed of Sound, The New York Times, July 5, 1954
  42. ^ Harmon Prizes go for 2 Air 'Firsts'; Vertical-Flight Test Pilot and Airship Endurance Captain Are 1955 Winners, The New York Times, July 5, 1955
  43. ^ a b c 3 Aviators to get Harmon Trophies; British Test Pilot, French Woman Flier and American Navy Officer Picked, The New York Times, August 5, 1956
  44. ^ a b Three Fliers Win Harmon Awards; Honored for Aerial Achievements, The New York Times, August 11, 1957
  45. ^ a b LeMay and Navy Blimp Man Get Harmon Air Prize, The New York Times, November 13, 1958
  46. ^ Frenchman Cited as Flier of Year, The New York Times, December 12, 1959
  47. ^ a b 2 Air Force Pilots Win Harmon Prizes, The New York Times, July 3, 1960
  48. ^ John F. Kennedy - Remarks Upon Presenting the Harmon Trophy to Three Test Pilots of the X-15 Rocket Plane, November 28, 1961
  49. ^ a b c President Gives Harmon Trophies; Three Pilots and Widow of Another Get Awards, The New York Times, October 19, 1962
  50. ^ a b c d e f Astronaut to get a Harmon Trophy; Cooper Will Be Honored for Orbital Trip in 1963, The New York Times, August 2, 1964
  51. ^ Award to Dutch Balloonist Canceled by Harmon Trust, The New York Times, September 7, 1964
  52. ^ a b c 2 Named Winners of Harmon Prizes; Max Conrad and Late Mrs. Smith Hailed for Flights, The New York Times, August 8, 1965
  53. ^ Astronauts Names for Harmon Award, The New York Times, August 7, 1966
  54. ^ a b Harmon Winners for 1967 {presented in 1967 for 1966} are Named, The New York Times September 10, 1967
  55. ^ "Harmon Awards to Astronauts". Lincoln Journal Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. UPI. September 11, 1967. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. ^ Lyndon B. Johnson, Remarks Upon Presenting the Harmon Trophy to Maj. William J. Knight, USAF, December 3, 1968
  57. ^ a b c d Two R.A.F. Pilots to Share Harmon Aviator's Trophy, The New York Times September 7, 1970
  58. ^ a b c 5 Top Pilots Cited, The New York Times, September 21, 1973
  59. ^ a b c d Gerald R. Ford - Remarks Upon Presenting the Harmon International Aviation Trophies, May 2, 1975
  60. ^ a b c The Daily Diary of President Ronald Reagan, Ronald Reagan Library, December 7, 1982
  61. ^ National Aeronautic Association
  62. ^ NAA Announces John Petrehn to Receive 2011 Harmon Trophy for Ballooning
  63. ^ Troy Bradley and Leonid Tiukhtyaev of the Two Eagles Balloon Flight to Receive the 2015 Harmon Trophy

External links