Civil Air Patrol looking for World War II members Published April 1, 2011 By 2nd Lt. Howdy Stout Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Civil Air Patrol is used to looking for missing persons. That is, after all, part of what the volunteer organization does. This time, however, the search is not for a missing aircraft. The search is on for missing CAP members from World War II. "What we're trying to do is find CAP members who served during the Second World War," explained Col. Robert Castle, wing commander of the Oklahoma CAP. "It's part of a national effort to find and recognize these civilian veterans before it is too late." Bills are pending in both the Senate and House of Representatives that would award CAP a Congressional Gold Medal for its service during World War II. Founded just a week before the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, CAP volunteers flew countless hours patrolling America's vulnerable coastline for enemy activity and is credited with sinking two enemy submarines. More than 60 CAP members died during the war. Introduced earlier this year, House Bill HR 719 and Senate Bill S 418 would award CAP with the Congressional Gold Medal for its efforts during World War II. Created by the Continental Congress in 1776, the Congressional Gold Medal is the highest form of congressional recognition and has been given to a wide range of military leaders and accomplished civilians, including George Washington, Charles Lindbergh and Orville and Wilbur Wright. If passed, the award to CAP would be unusual in that a single medal would be awarded for the collective efforts of all World War II adult members. Other organizations recognized by Congress for their wartime contributions include the Navajo Code Talkers, Tuskegee Airmen and Women's Airforce Service Pilots. CAP and its members have received little recognition for their World War II service, particularly the anti-submarine coastal patrols, and were not granted veterans' benefits. Other than some air medals for Coastal Patrol participants, CAP volunteers received little official recognition of their service. Bill sponsor Senator Dan Inouye, (D--Hawaii) said, "During World War II, these courageous men and women dutifully patrolled our air space, searched for submarines off our coasts and provided our nation with whatever they were asked to give. They made the same sacrifices I and thousands of uniformed armed service members made during that historic conflict. They deserve our praise and should be honored for their service." Although many CAP veterans have been found elsewhere in the country, none have been found so far in Oklahoma. The nationwide search for CAP World War II veterans is also an attempt to document activities during CAP's formative years. Founded in the dark days of World War II, there is little historical documentation of CAP's early activities and membership. Once found, the veteran members will be interviewed and their memories and stories preserved for future generations. Where possible, all information gathered from surviving CAP members will be corroborated with known historical facts. "Not only do we want to preserve the precious memories of our organization's early existence," Col. Castle said "we want to say"thank you" for their service. It was - and still is - deeply appreciated."