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Order of Daedalians

ADVOCATE FOR AIR AND SPACE POWER AND HONOR THOSE WHO FLEW AND FLY IN DEFENSE OF OUR NATION.

The Order of Daedalians, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, is a nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of Texas and governed by a Board of Directors consisting of national staff and 6-10 elected directors. The Daedalians are exempt from taxes under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Order, with its worldwide network of Flights/Chapters and its comprehensive awards and mentorship programs, support the military services and other aerospace activities. The awards, scholarship, and flying training programs of the Order and the Daedalian Foundation encourage patriotism, integrity and good character in our nation’s youth; military careers as commissioned aviators; safety of flight; and excellence in the performance of military duties.

TENETS
The Order of Daedalians, originally conceived as a military-fraternal organization of World War I commissioned military pilots of heavier-than-air powered aircraft and now known as the National Fellowship of Aviators, has established the following tenets for its membership:

  • FIRST: To place nation above self (patriotism).
  • SECOND: To be worthy of the trust and confidence of a fellow Daedalian (Personal Integrity and Character).

OBJECTIVES
The above Tenets are the basis for the following Objectives of the Order:

  • Support the current Total Force (Active Duty, Guard, Reserve and Civil Air Patrol)
  • Educate Americans to the advantages of Air and Space Power
  • Promote the rewards of a career in military aviation to young Americans
  • Honor the legacy of our Founder Members and all who have flown in defense of our Nation
  • Encourage and recognize improvements in Flight Safety, Weapons Development, Combat Support and the overall effectiveness of Air and Space Power
  • Recognize exceptional performance by military aviators
  • Actively recruit qualified new members to perpetuate the traditions and prestige of the Order and accomplish its stated Objectives.

Our Story

On 26 March 1934, the Order of Daedalians was formally instituted and composed of those commissioned officers, who, no later than the Armistice of 1918, held ratings as pilots of heavier-than-air powered aircraft. These World War I military pilots, in the preamble to the constitution of the Order, stated as their purpose: “…to perpetuate the spirit of patriotism and love of country … and the high ideals of self-sacrifice which placed service to the nation above personal safety and position, and to further cement the ties of comradeship which bound us together at that critical hour of our nation’s need…” Throughout our history, we have counted among our members many pioneers and accomplished figures in the history of flight and American military aviation, airpower, and aerospace.

Today, the Daedalian membership consists of commissioned, warrant, and flight officer military aviators and WASPs and continues to perpetuate a legacy of excellence as we encourage future military aviators. The Daedalians continue to honor as our Founder Members, all World War I aviators who were commissioned as officers and rated as military pilots no later than the Armistice on 11 November 1918. Our organization perpetuates their names as the first to fly our country’s airplanes in time of war. We promote their standards of patriotism, integrity, and good character in our programs to encourage a future in military aviation among America’s youth and among our members who represent a diversity of ages, services, and aviation ratings as they continue to participate in our organization and advocate for American air and space power in support of the total force.

Board of Directors

National Staff

Directors

Staff

Executive Director: Mrs. Maureen DeFelice | ext. 101 | maureen@daedalians.org

Programs

Program Manager: Mrs. Kristi Cavenaugh | ext. 102 | kristi@daedalians.org

Preservationist: Mrs. Pamela Watson, Ph. D. | ext. 109 | pam@daedalians.org

Communications Administrator: Mrs. Nikki Kamal| ext. 151 | nikki@daedalians.org

Member and Donor Relations

Major Gifts Manager: Ms. Robin Lupole | ext. 108 | robin@daedalians.org

Donor Relations Manager: Ms. Krystal Torres | ext. 105 | krystal@daedalians.org 

Membership & Donor Coordinator: Mrs. Amanda Padilla | ext. 110 | amanda@daedalians.org

Administrative Coordinator: Ms. Lucia Sanchez-Aldana | ext. 103 | lucia@daedalians.org

Magazine

Editor-in-Chief: Col Debbie Landry, USAF (Ret) | ext. 111 | debbie@daedalians.org

Creative Specialist: Mr. Jerry Moore | ext. 106 | jerry@daedalians.org

Public Relations

Public Relations & Marketing Manager: Mrs. Jena Mardell | ext. 107 | jena@daedalians.org

Programs: Ms. Taylor Watson | TheHangar@daedalians.org