Cadet Gabriel Lewis Receives Billy Mitchell Award, Promoted to Cadet 2nd Lieutenant

C/2d Lt Gabriel Lewis prior to the promotion ceremony.

Gabriel Lewis, a Jackson High School sophomore and member of the Missouri Civil Air Patrol, was promoted to Cadet 2nd Lieutenant after earning the Gen. Billy Mitchell Award.

Lewis has been with the Civil Air Patrol Missouri Wing’s Trail of Tears Composite Squadron for four years. He is currently the Squadron Aerospace Cadet Officer and a Model Rocketry Instructor. Cadet Lewis is also a qualified Ground Team member on the Squadron Search and Rescue Team.

Lewis was promoted after receiving the award which is given upon completion of the first eight achievements of the cadet program. In addition to the achievements, cadets must pass a physical fitness test and two comprehensive exams on aerospace and leadership. Less than 15% of Civil Air Patrol cadets earn this award.

The promotion ceremony included comments from Representative Barry Hovis and U.S. Marine Corps (Ret) Mike Francis, each emphasizing the importance of civic responsibility, selfless service to our community, state, and nation, and recognizing Lewis for his outstanding service and accomplishments within the Civil Air Patrol program.

C/2d Lt Gabriel Lewis salutes the Squadron Commander, Capt. Lewis, during the promotion ceremony.

C/2d Lt Lewis plans to apply to the United States Air Force Academy with the hopes of becoming an Air Force Officer. He would like to fly the A-10 Warthog as a pilot in the world’s greatest Air Force.

The Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and is a member of its total force. In its auxiliary role Civil Air Patrol operates a fleet of 560 single-engine Cessna aircraft and 1,944 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and performs about 90% of continental inland search and rescue missions across the nation as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. For more information on the Cape Girardeau Civil Air Patrol program please contact Capt. Lewis at kristen.lewis@mowgcap.org.

Representative Barry Hovis presents C/2d Lt Gabriel Lewis with a Resolution to recognize Cadet Lewis as, "an outstanding young Missouri citizen who has distinguished himself as a leader of his peers."

Mike Francis, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), presents C/2d Lt Gabriel Lewis with a certificate of Achievement from the Cape Girardeau Marine Corps League, Cpl. Mason O. Yarbrough Detachment.