Doolittle Award

U.S. Air Force Assistant Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Richard Newton III presents Col. Patrick Doherty with the inaugural Doolittle Award June 2, 2011, at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va. The Air Force Historical Foundation Doolittle Award recognizes a unit that has displayed bravery, determination, discipline, esprit de corps and superior management of joint operations while accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions in multiple conflicts, making a sustained, significant contribution to Air Force history. Colonel Doherty is the commander of the 4th Fighter Wing, and accepted the award on behalf of the wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Gino Reyes)

Doolittle Award

Four F-15E Strike Eagles fly June 2, 2011, above the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va., following the 4th Fighter Wing's acceptance of the inaugural Doolittle Award. The Air Force Historical Foundation's new distinction acknowledges sustained, distinctive contributions to the history and heritage of the U.S. Air Force, and is named after aviation pioneer James H. Doolittle, who served as a lieutenant general in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and received the Medal of Honor for valor and leadership as commander of the famous Doolittle Raid. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Gino Reyes)

Doolittle Raiders

Doolittle Raider Thomas Griffin, who was a navigator on crew 9, signs autographs at the Doolittle Raiders Lounge April 15, 2011, at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., as Airman 1st Class Paul Imm, of the 55th Operations Support Squadron, assists. The autograph session was part of the Raiders' 69th annual reunion, which took place April 14 through 17. (U.S. Air Force photo/Josh Plueger)

Doolittle Raiders

Doolittle Raider David Thatcher, who was an engineer-gunner on crew 7, shakes hands with 1st Lt. Taylor Eavenson as Lt. Col. John Cooper looks on April 15, 2011, at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The five surviving Doolittle Raiders visited there as part of their 69th annual reunion, which took place this year in Nebraska from April 14 through 17. Lieutenant Eavenson is an electronic warfare officer with the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron. Colonel Cooper is the 55th Operations Group deputy commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Josh Plueger)

Code talkers

Alilee Bah Church, performs a traditional Native American butterfly dance during a ceremony Nov. 10, 2010, at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., honoring veterans and celebrating Native American Heritage Month. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Code talkers

Navajo Code Talkers Peter Macdonald (left) and Roy Hawthorne participated in a ceremony Nov. 10, 2010, at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. to pay tribute to veterans and to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. (U.S. Air Force photo)