Existing comment:
The fourth Military Aviator's badge to be issued. Awarded to Lt. Paul W. Beck, who qualified on July 12, 1912.
Special recognition was first given officially to Army flyers on February 23, 1912 when the War Department created the rating of "Military Aviator." On May 27, 1913, authorization was issued for a special badge to be worn by Military Aviators, and during the latter part of that year, the first badges were made and awarded to 14 pilots qualified to receive them. |