The Early Years

Pearl Harbor propelled the United States into World War II, but many Americans saw the Axis threat long before Dec. 7, 1941. Among them were nearly 150,000 men and women involved in aviation.

As early as 1938, they began to argue for the creation of an organization to harness the nation's aviation resources to aid the country in the event America entered the conflict. Their efforts, led by writer-aviator Gill Robb Wilson and supported by Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold, resulted in the creation of the Civil Air Patrol on Dec. 1, 1941 — one week before Pearl Harbor.

First organized under the Office of Civilian Defense, headed by former New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, Civil Air Patrol members became the "Minutemen" of World War II, volunteering their time, resources, and talents to defend the nation's borders and fill the gaps as men and resources were mobilized to fight abroad.

Delaware was home to the second CAP base, Coastal Patrol Base #2 at the Rehoboth Airport. Using private aircraft, these "Flying Minutemen" patrolled the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware beaches for German submarines. Coastal Patrol Base #2 aircrews flew the first-ever coastal patrol mission for Civil Air Patrol on March 5, 1942.

The War Department, especially the Army Air Forces, recognized the important roles performed by CAP. In April 1943, CAP was reassigned from the Office of Civilian Defense to the War Department and placed under the jurisdiction of the Army Air Forces.

"After the German surrender, one of Hitler's high-ranking naval officers was asked why the Nazi U-boats had been withdrawn from U.S. coastal waters early in 1943. The answer exploded in a curt guttural: 'It was because of those damned little red and yellow planes!'" — Robert E. Neprud, Flying Minute Men: The Story of the Civil Air Patrol

These Flying Minutemen, all volunteers, performed valiantly during the war. They flew many missions, including coastal patrol to search for enemy submarines, search and rescue missions throughout the United States, cargo and courier flights to transfer critical materials and personnel, and even towing targets so Army Air Corps personnel could practice air-to-air gunnery techniques — a very risky mission with new gunners.

In all, these volunteers amassed a stunning record — flying more than half a million hours,  and saving hundreds of crash victims.

A thankful nation recognized the vital role CAP played during the war and understood the organization could continue to provide invaluable help to both local and national agencies. On July 1, 1946, President Harry Truman signed Public Law 476, incorporating CAP as a benevolent, nonprofit organization.

Today

As a Total Force partner and Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol is there to search for and find the lost, provide comfort and support in times of disaster, and work to keep the homeland safe. Its 63,000 members — more than 300 of whom are part of Delaware Wing — selflessly devote their time, energy, and expertise toward the well-being of communities, while also promoting aviation and related fields through aerospace and STEM education and helping shape future leaders through CAP's cadet program.

Civil Air Patrol's missions for America are many, and today's adults and cadets perform their duties with the same vigilance as its founding members — preserving CAP's more than 80-year legacy of service while maintaining its commitment to nearly 1,500 communities nationwide.