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FOR VALOR Although the order awarding the first Air Medals read for "Meritorious Service"-the content of that order would certainly indicate a significant amount of valor involved in the first two Air Medals awarded to Civil Air Patrol personnel. The citation for the award to Edmond I. Edwards, Civil Air Patrol read the same as the one for Captain Hugh R. Sharp, Jr. which is quoted below:
President Roosevelt awards Air Medals to Maj. Hugh R. Sharpe (Center), Lt. Edmond Edwards (Right) CAP pilot who later flew for the Navy, for their heroic sea rescue of Coastal Patrol flier, Lt. Henry Cross. Looking on is James M. Landis, wartime Chief of Office Civilian Defense..[Photo February 1943]
As a postscript, Captain Sharp remained as the Commanding officer of Base 2 until its closure on August 31, 1943. Lieutenant Edwards was later commissioned in the United States Navy where he continued to serve with distinction. Although unable to fly due to his injuries, Lieutenant Cross later transferred to Civil Air Patrol's Coastal Patrol Base Number 14 at Panama City, Florida where he served as its operations officer.