Harmon Trophy

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The Harmon Aviator Trophy
The Harmon Aviator Trophy
The Harmon Aviatrix Trophy
The Harmon Aviatrix Trophy

The Harmon Trophy is a set of three international trophies, to be awarded annually to the world's outstanding aviator, aviatrix (female aviator), and aeronaut (balloon or dirigible). A fourth trophy, the "National Trophy," was awarded from 1926 through 1938 to the most outstanding aviator in each of the twenty-one member countries and again from 1946-1948 to honor Americans who contibuted to aviation. The award was established in 1926 by Clifford B. Harmon, a wealthy balloonist and 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]

[edit] 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 Stuart Symington stating, "he [de Seversky] did absolutely nothing to deserve it."[6] Truman also did not make time to present the 1948 award to Trans World Airlines CEO Ralph Damon[7] or Brazilian aviation pioneer Francisco Pignatari[8] The award to 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 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 [1]. 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 Roumanbona M'Divani. The Smithsonian Institution acquired the aviator's trophy in 1950 from the Clifford B. Harmon Trust. The aviatrix trophy (at right) 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.[12]

[edit] 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[13] Aviatrix[13] Aeronaut[13][14] National[13] Astronaut
1926 Lt. Col. George Pelletier-Doisy, France, [15] No Award Presented General Umberto Nobile, Italy Shirley J. Short, United States, Cdr. Hirosi Abe, Japan, Maj. Mario de Bernardi, Italy[16]
1927 Col. Charles A. Lindbergh, United States Lady Mary Bailey, Great Britain Commander Charles E. Rosendahl, United States
1928 Col. Arturo Ferrarin, Italy Lady Mary Bailey, Great Britain Dr. Hugo Eckener, Germany Carl Eielson[17]
1929 Maj. Dieudonne Costes, France[18] Miss Winifred Spooner, Great Britain Dr. Hugo Eckener, Germany Maj. James H. Doolittle, United States[19]
1930 Maj. Dieudonne Costes, France Miss Amy Johnson Mollison, Great Britain Dr. Hugo Eckener, Germany (dirigible), Ward T. Van Orman, United States (spherical balloon) Lt. Cdr. Frank Hawks
1931 Air Marshal Italo Balbo, Italy[20] Mrs. Maryse Bastié, France[20] Dr. Hugo Eckener, Germany (dirigible), Prof. Auguste Piccard, Switzerland (spherical balloon)[20] Clyde Pangborn, United States, Hugh Herndon, United States, Ruth Nichols, United States, Air Commodore, Charles Kingsford-Smith Australia, Bert Hinkler, Great Britain, Amy Johnson, Great Britain, Peggy Salaman, Great Britain, Captain von Gronau, Germany, Marga von Etzdorf, Germany[20]
1932 Wolfgang von Gronau, Germany[21] Mrs. Amelia Earhart Putnam, United States[21] Prof. Auguste Piccard, Switzerland (spherical balloon), Capt. Ernst A. Lehmann, (dirigible)[21] Roscoe Turner, United States, Warren D. Williams, United States (dirigible), Lt. Cdr. Charles E. C. Rosendahl, United States (dirigible), Lt. Thomas W. G. Settle, United States (spherical balloon)[21]
1933 Wiley Post, United States[22] Maryse Hiltz, France[22] Lt. Cdr. Thomas W. G. Settle, United States (Spherical Balloon), Dr. Hugo Eckener, Germany (dirigible)[22] Mrs. Anne Morrow Lindbergh, United States, Lt. Cdr. Charles E. C. Rosendahl, United States (dirigible), Lt. Cdr. Thomas W. G. Settle, United States (spherical balloon), Francesco Agello, Italy, Mariano Barbaron, Spain (posthumously), Joaquin Collar, Spain (posthumously)[22]
1934 Charles W. A. Scott, Great Britain[23] Hélène Boucher, France (posthumously)[23] Capt. Ernst A. Lehmann, Germany (dirigible), Mme. Jeannette Piccard, Switzerland (United States) (spherical balloon)[23] Miss Laura Ingalls, United States, Dean C. Smith, United States, Lt. Cdr. H. V. Wiley, United States (dirigible), Maj. William E. Kepner, United States (spherical balloon), Edgardo Bonnet, Argentina, Maria Leloir de Udaondo, Argentina, Charles Kingsford-Smith, Australia, Teddy Franchomme, Belgium, E. Demuyter, Belgium, Mlle. S. Lippens, Belgium, Michael Hansen, Denmark, U. Makela, Finland, Jean Mermoz, France, Raymond Delmotte, France, Germain Bonnet, France, Heinl Dittmar, Germany, Hans Kurt Fleming, Germany, Elly Beinhorn, Germany, K. D. Parmentier, Holland, Francesco Agello, Italy, Monosaburo Shinno, Japan, Kikuko Matsumoto, Japan, Capt. Jerzl Bajan, Poland, Franciszek Hynek, Poland, Humberto da Cruz, Portugal, Herman Baron, San Salvador, Luang Prung Prechakas, Siam, Ramon Torres, Spain, Walther Mittelholzer, Switzerland[23]
1935 Capt. Edwin Musick, United States[24] Jean Batten, Great Britain (New Zealand), Amelia Earhart, United States[24] Maj. Orvil A. Anderson, United States, Capt. Albert W. Stevens (spherical balloon), Capt. Hans von Schiller, Germany (dirigible)[24] Arnold Looz-Corswarem, Belgium, Michael Hansen, Denmark, Capt. J. F. Broadbent, Great Britain, Andre Japy, France, Bertha Alisch, Germany, Elly Beinhorn, Germany, Mario Stoppani, Italy, Casimiro Babbi, Italy, Marchesa Carina Negrone, Italy, Hoja Dzenitis, Litunania, Gomez Namorado, Portugal, Juan Ignacio Pombo, Spain[24]
1936 Howard Hughes, United States[25] Jean Batten, Great Britain (New Zealand)[25] Capt. Ernest A. Lehmann, Germany, Ernest De Muyter, Belgium Mrs. Louise Thaden, United States, James Diamond, United States[25], Carl Gotze, Jr., Germany
1937 Henry T. Merrill, United States[26] Jean Batten, Great Britain (New Zealand)[26] No Award Presented Miss Jacqueline Cochran, United States, Howard Hughes, United States[26]
1938 Howard Hughes, United States, [27] Jacqueline Cochran, United States[27] No Award Presented Lt. Col. Robert Olds, United States (Diploma of Honor), Roscoe Turner, United States, Capt. Kellett and crew, Great Britain, Michael Hansen, Denmark, Maurice Rossi, France, Elizabeth Lion, France, Capt. Alfred Henks, Germany, Hanna Reitsch, Germany, Lt. Col. Mario Pezzi, Italy, Maj. Yuzo Fujita, Japan, Capt. Viktors Eglitis, Latvia, Victor Alfredo Lara, San Salvador, Maj. Tonnard, Belgium (spherical balloon), Capt. Max Pruss, Germany (dirigible), Capt. Antoni Janusz, Poland (sperical balloon)[27]
1939 Maj. Alexander P. de Seversky, United States[28] Jacqueline Cochran, United States[29] No Award Presented
1945 Francisco Pignatari, Brazil
1946 Juan T. Trippe, United States[30]
1947 Alexander P. de Seversky, United States[31]
1948 Ralph S. Damon[32]
1949 Louis A. Johnson[33]
1940-1949[34] Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle, United States, Geoffrey de Havilland, Great Britain (posthumously) (Citation of Honorable Mention), Capt. Charles E. Yeager, United States (Citation of Honorable Mention)[35] Jacqueline Cochran, United States, Pauline Gower, United States (posthumously) (Citation of Honorable Mention)[35] Vice Admiral Charles E. Rosendahl, United States, M. Charles Dollfus, France (Citation of Honorable Mention), Lt. Howard R. Walton, United States (posthumously) (Citation of Honorable Mention)[35]
1950 Col. David C. Schilling, United States[36] No Award Presented[36] No Award Presented[36]
1951 Capt. Charles F. Blair, United States[37] Jacqueline Auriol, France[37] Lt. Carl J. Seiberlich, United States[37]
1952 Col. Bernt Balchen, United States (Norwegian-born)[38] Jacqueline Auriol, France[38] Walter L. Massic, United States[38]
1953 Maj. Charles E. Yeager, United States[39] Jacqueline Cochran, United States[39] No Award Presented[39]
1954 J. F. Coleman, United States[40] No Award Presented Capt. Marion H. Eppes, United States[40]
1955 Group Captain John Cunningham, Great Britain[41] Mme. Jacquline Auriol, France[41] Lt. Cdr. John A. Mills, United States[41]
1956 Lt. Col. Frank K. Everest Jr., United States[42] Mme. Jacquline Auriol, France Lt. Cdr. Malcolm D. Ross, United States, Lt. Cdr. Morton L. Lewis, United States[42]
1957 Gen. Curtis E. LeMay, United States[43] No Award Presented Cdr. Jack R. Hunt, United States[43]
1958 Maj. André Edouard Turcat, France[44] No Award Presented
1959 Capt. Joe B. Jordan, United States[45] No Award Presented Capt. Joseph Kittinger, United States[45]
1960 A. Scott Crossfield, United States, Capt. Joseph A. Walker, United States, Maj. Robert M. White, United States[46] No Award Presented
1961 Lt. Col. William R. Payne, United States[47] Jacqueline Cochran, United States[47] Cdr. Malcolm D. Ross, United States, Lt. Cdr. Victor E. Prather, United States (posthumously)[47]
1962 Maj. Fitzhugh L. Fulton Jr., United States[48] No Award Presented[48] Mrs. Nini Boesman, Netherlands (subsequently canceled[49])[48]
1963 Maj. L. Gordon Cooper, United States[48] Betty Miller, United States[48] No Award Presented[48]
1964 Max Conrad, United States[50] Joan Merriam Smith, United States (posthumously)[50] No Award Presented[50]
1965 Cmdr. James Lovell Jr., United States, Lt. Col. Frank Borman, United States, Capt. Wally Schirra, United States, Maj. Thomas P. Stafford, United States[51] No Award Presented
1966 Cmdr. James Lovell Jr., United States, Maj. Edwin E. Aldrin, United States, Maj. Edward H. White II, United States[52] Sheila Scott, Great Britain[52] No Award Presented[10]
1967 Maj. William J. Knight, United States[53] No Award Presented
1968 Maj. Jerrauld R. Gentry, United States[11] No Award Presented Col. Frank Borman, United States, Capt. James A. Lovell, United States, Lt. Col. William A. Anders, United States[11]
1969 Squadron Leader Thomas Lecky-Thompson, Great Britain, Squadron Leader Graham Williams, Great Britain[54] Turi Widerøe, Norway[54] No Award Presented[54] Neil Armstrong, United States, Edwin E. Aldrin, United States, Michael Collins, United States[54]
1970 Brian Trubshaw, Great Britain, Maj. André Edouard Turcat, France[55] Sheila Scott, Great Britain No Award Presented
1971 Lt. Col. Thomas B. Estes, United States, Lt. Col. Dewain C. Vick, United States[55] Geraldyn Cobb, United States[55] No Award Presented
1972 Lt. Col. Edgar L. Allison, United States[56] No Award Presented No Award Presented
1973 Col. Edward Nash, United States[56] No Award Presented Malcolm S. Forbes, Sr., United States[56] Captain Charles Conrad, Jr., United States, Captain Paul J. Weitz, United States, Captain Joseph Kerwin, United States[56]
1974
1975 Lt. Col. Herbert M. Fix, United States Marion Rice Hart, United States
1976 No Award Presented No Award Presented
1977 No Award Presented No Award Presented
1978 No Award Presented No Award Presented
1979 Byran Allen, United States No Award Presented
1980 Lt. (jg) John Currier, United States No Award Presented
1981 Jerry Foster, United States[57] Janice Lee Brown, United States[57] John W. Young, United States, Capt. Robert L. Crippen, United States, Col. Joseph H. Engle, United States, Capt. Richard Truly, United States[57]
1982 Dormon Cannon, United States, No Award Presented
1983 No Award Presented Dr. Sally Ride, United States
1984 Senator Barry Goldwater, United States Brooke Knapp, United States
1985 No Award Presented No Award Presented
1986 Chief Warrant Officer Jon Iseminger, United States Jeana Yeager, United States
1987 Allen E. Paulson, United States Lois McCallin, United States
1988 Kanellos Kanellopoulos, Greece Anne Baddour, United States Per Lindstrand
1989 Capt. George A. Hof Jr., United States, Dr. Max E. Shauck, United States Gaby Kennard, Australia
1990 No Award Presented No Award Presented
1991 No Award Presented No Award Presented
1992 No Award Presented No Award Presented
1993 No Award Presented Vance D. Brand, United States
1994 No Award Presented No Award Presented
1995 No Award Presented Eileen M. Collins, United States
1998 No Award Presented Steve Fossett
1999 Don Cameron Dr. Bertrand Piccard, Switzerland, Brian Jones, Great Britain
2000 No Award Presented David Hempleman-Adams
2001 Jennifer Murray, United Kingdom (United States) Richard Abruzzo
2002 No Award Presented Steve Fossett
2003 No Award Presented Richard Abruzzo
2004 No Award Presented David Hempleman-Adams
2005 No Award Presented Carol Rymer Davis, Richard Abruzzo
2006 No Award Presented No Award Presented

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Harmon International Trophies Origin and Purpose", Personal Collection of Charles E. Rosendahl. 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), New York Times, 1945-07-03, p. 13. Retrieved on January 22, 2007.
  4. ^ "3 Endorse Fund for Air Awards; Harmon Trophy Winners Testify in Fight of Heirs Against Bequest of $55,000" (fee required), New York Times, 1948-04-21, p. 56. Retrieved on January 22, 2007.
  5. ^ "$48,431 to Harmon Fund; Sum Willed by Air Enthusiast to Maintain Trophy Awards" (fee required), New York Times, 1948-10-27, p. 54. Retrieved on January 22, 2007.
  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), New York Times, 1969-09-08, p. 82. Retrieved on January 22, 2007.
  12. ^ "Missing Air Trophy is Returned to U.S." (fee required), New York Times, 1953-11-06, p. 14. Retrieved on January 22, 2007.
  13. ^ a b c d Awards from 1926-1952 from Significant American and International Awards in Aviation, Bureau of Aeronautics, Department of the Navy, Revised February 1954
  14. ^ Aeronaut awards from 1998 on provided by the National Aeronautic Association's Recent aeronaut list
  15. ^ "Peace Ace", Time, 1927-01-24. Retrieved on February 16, 2007.
  16. ^ Air Mail Ace Wins Harmon 1926 Trophy; Aviation Award to Pilot Short Is for Merit of Consistent Flying Over Spectacular Performances, New York Times, January 14, 1927
  17. ^ Carl "Ben" Eielson Biography, National Aviation Hall of Fame
  18. ^ Time Magazine, March 17, 1930
  19. ^ Aviation Trophy Given to Doolittle; He Receives Harmon Award at Cleveland for His Work in "Blind" Flying, New York Times, April 8, 1931
  20. ^ a b c d General Balbo Wins the Harmon Trophy; Declared 1931 World Aviation Champion -- Ruth Nichols, Pangborn and Herndon Honored, New York Times, March 5, 1932
  21. ^ a b c d Amelia Earhart Honored; Receives Award of Harmon Trophy for Transatlantic Flight, New York Times, April 15, 1933
  22. ^ 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, New York Times, April 22, 1934
  23. ^ a b c d Harmon Air Prize is Won by Scott; Briton Gets the International Award for Best Aviator -- Capt. Lehmann Honored, New York Times, March 11, 1935
  24. ^ 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, New York Times, April 18, 1936
  25. ^ a b c Air Prize for Hughes; Jean Batten Honored; American Cross-Country Flier and New Zealand Girl Get Harmon Trophies, New York Times, March 1, 1937
  26. ^ a b c Merrill, Jean Batten Win Harmon Awards; Aviation Honors American and New Zealander-Hughes and Miss Cochran, Named, New York Times, February 18, 1938
  27. ^ a b c Hughes is Named Aviation Champion; Round-the-World Flier Gets Harmon Trophy--Olds of Army Wins Medal and Diploma, New York Times, March 25, 1939
  28. ^ De Seversky Honored for Plane Advances; Receives Harmon Trophy From President--Sees Air Navies, New York Times, December 20, 1940
  29. ^ Trophy Presented to Miss Cochran; Flier Receives the Clifford Burke Harmon Award From Mrs. Roosevelt, New York Times, November 9, 1940
  30. ^ Harry S. Truman - The President's Day, February 27, 1947
  31. ^ Harry S. Truman - Truman presenting aeronautics award to Alexander de Seversky, June 24, 1947
  32. ^ Ralph S. Damon Honored, New York Times, June 24, 1949
  33. ^ "RLK to Matthew J. Connelly", Truman Papers, Truman Library, 1950-03-22, p. WHCF: OF 1049 357R.
  34. ^ The Harmon Trophy was presented once for the entire decade. Time Magazine, November 13, 1950
  35. ^ a b c Harry S. Truman - The President's Day, November 2, 1950
  36. ^ a b c Harmon Prize Won by Col. Schilling; Leading Fighter Pilot in Last War Named World's Top Aviator of 1950, New York Times, July 5, 1951
  37. ^ a b c Airline Pilot Wins Top Harmon Prize; Capt. C. F. Blair Jr. Is Named 'Outstanding Aviator' -Award to Mme. Auriol, New York Times, July 5, 1952
  38. ^ 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, New York Times, July 5, 1953
  39. ^ a b c Yeager, Cochran Win Air Trophies; Harmon Judges Pick Major and Aviatrix for Flights Topping Speed of Sound, New York Times, July 5, 1954
  40. ^ a b Harmon Prizes go for 2 Air 'Firsts'; Vertical-Flight Test Pilot and Airship Endurance Captain Are 1955 Winners, New York Times, July 5, 1955
  41. ^ a b c 3 Aviators to get Harmon Trophies; British Test Pilot, French Woman Flier and American Navy Officer Picked, New York Times, August 5, 1956
  42. ^ a b Three Fliers Win Harmon Awards; Honored for Aerial Achievements, New York Times, August 11, 1957
  43. ^ a b LeMay and Navy Blimp Man Get Harmon Air Prize, New York Times, November 13, 1958
  44. ^ Frenchman Cited as Flier of Year, New York Times, December 12, 1959
  45. ^ a b 2 Air Force Pilots Win Harmon Prizes, New York Times, July 3, 1960
  46. ^ John F. Kennedy - Remarks Upon Presenting the Harmon Trophy to Three Test Pilots of the X-15 Rocket Plane, November 28, 1961
  47. ^ a b c President Gives Harmon Trophies; Three Pilots and Widow of Another Get Awards, New York Times, October 19, 1962
  48. ^ a b c d e f Astronaut to get a Harmon Trophy; Cooper Will Be Honored for Orbital Trip in 1963, New York Times, August 2, 1964
  49. ^ Award to Dutch Balloonist Canceled by Harmon Trust, New York Times, September 7, 1964
  50. ^ a b c 2 Named Winners of Harmon Prizes; Max Conrad and Late Mrs. Smith Hailed for Flights, New York Times, August 8, 1965
  51. ^ Astronauts Names for Harmon Award, New York Times, August 7, 1966
  52. ^ a b Harmon Winners for 1967 {presented in 1967 for 1966} are Named, New York Times, September 10, 1967
  53. ^ Lyndon B. Johnson - Remarks Upon Presenting the Harmon Trophy to Maj. William J. Knight, USAF, December 3, 1968
  54. ^ a b c d Two R.A.F. Pilots to Share Harmon Aviator's Trophy, New York Times, September 7, 1970
  55. ^ a b c 5 Top Pilots Cited, New York Times, September 21, 1973
  56. ^ a b c d Gerald R. Ford - Remarks Upon Presenting the Harmon International Aviation Trophies, May 2, 1975
  57. ^ a b c The Daily Diary of President Ronald Reagan, Ronald Reagan Library, December 7, 1982
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