Cadet Receives Award Named After an Aviation Legend
Filed under: Cadet Activities, Cadet Programs, Squadron News
On October 23, 2017, Cadet Zane F. Truly, son of Dr. and Mrs. Ted Truly of Sherman, was presented the Amelia Earhart Award. Named in honor of the famed woman aviator and pioneer who achieved many aviation firsts before her disappearance while attempting to circumnavigate the world, the Earhart Award is the third milestone in the CAP Cadet Program, and is awarded to cadets who have completed 11 of the 16 achievements in the program. Less than 3 percent of all cadets nationwide have received this award since it was established in 1964.
In addition to the Earhart Award, Truly was promoted to the grade of Cadet Captain.

(L-R) Rear Admiral William A. Retz, USN (Ret.), Cadet Captain Zane Truly, Amelia Earhart Award Recipient
Cadet Truly has been a member of CAP since May 2014, and became the squadron’s Cadet Commander in July of this year. Among his accomplishments in CAP are attending the National Glider Flight Academy, Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Familiarization Course, and Officer Training School. His future goal is to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy.
On hand to present the award was Rear Admiral William A. Retz, USN (Ret.). In his remarks, Adm. Retz commended the squadron members and especially the Cadets for their involvement in CAP.
“I think you provide a great service to our country, and you need to recognize that,” Retz said. “It’s your leadership in your schools, in your teams, and the example that you set for your classmates and for others. And whether you know it or not, those young boys and girls look up to you, and how you carry yourselves and what you do is so important. So don’t ever forget that.”
Retz continued, “Someday you may go on to be in the military, or you may not. That doesn’t make any difference, because the leadership and the lessons you’ve learned here are going to stand you well in life.”
Speaking about the award itself, Retz said, “It’s a great honor for everyone to be able to honor her [Amelia Earhart] with an award, and to honor those who receive it in her name. I know Zane has worked hard to complete this and many other requirements, and I’m sure you all recognize that it’s not just this award but the things he’s done for many years that make him worthy of it.”