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Established in 1934 by a group of 35 WWI pilots, the Order of Daedalians is America’s premier military aviation fraternity. Those Founders sought to honor and perpetuate their legacy of patriotism and self-sacrifice as the first to fly in time of war. We steward this heritage by honoring all 14,167 identified WWI aviators as our Founder Members. Our Named Members preserve their stories, carrying their names forward into successive cohorts of military aviators as inheritors of their legacy.
Today, commissioned and warrant officers who are rated military aviators across branches and generations make up our membership. We welcome those who have earned their wings in the following categories across all military services and platforms: fixed wing, rotary, and RPA pilots, navigators, CSO/WSO/EWOs, NFOs, ABMs, flight surgeons, astronauts, and WASPs. We welcome flyers from all eras and lengths of service.
Two special categories of membership enrich our organization and make us unique. Hereditary membership is open to direct descendants of any of our Founder Members, connecting us with our lineage. Honorary membership is open to fifteen living individuals at any time who are otherwise ineligible for membership but are nominated for their outstanding contributions to aviation, aerospace, or airpower.
Our sixty active flights, or chapters, across the country bring together Daedalian members to enjoy fellowship and celebrate our legacy, connecting with flying units and aviation partners in their geographic area. They help execute our national programs including scholarships, awards, flight training, and preservation. Flights customize their outreach and partnership to support military aviators across America’s flying communities. They also engage with and empower the next generation of young Americans in their local communities to pursue careers in aviation & aerospace. Our national, virtual flight, The Hangar connects nearly 500 members across the country with the Daedalian community and our mission through digital programming & outreach.
MISSION
Honor those who flew and fly. || Advocate for air and space power.
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:
OBJECTIVES
The above Tenets are the basis for the following Objectives of the Order:
The Order of Daedalians has its national home at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. It is a nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of Texas and governed by a Board of Directors consisting of the National Staff and 6-10 elected Directors. Its programming is supported by a professional team supporting execution of the mission by our members. The Daedalians are exempt from taxes under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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.
For general information: info@daedalians.org
National Office Phone Number: 210-945-2111
Our office hours are Monday – Thursday 0800-1600 CT, and Friday 0800-1200.
For membership questions and support, Jadenn Granato: jadenn@daedalians.org
For programs and endowments, Kristi Cavenaugh: kristi@daedalians.org
For communications, marketing, and events, Taylor Watson: taylor@daedalians.org
For financial donations and sponsorships, Nick Metropulos: nick@daedalians.org
For tours, research, and artifacts/memorabilia, Pam Watson: pam@daedalians.org
The Daedalus Flyer team that publishes our magazine includes Editor-in-Chief Erin Cavenaugh and Creative Director Jerry Moore. For magazine submissions, ads, and circulation, contact them at: magazine@daedalians.org
For vendors, and those with administrative needs: admin@daedalians.org
Our admin team includes
Office Administrator: Lucia Sanchez-Aldana
Bookkeeper: Miguel Contreras
Program Assistant: Grace Cavenaugh