The Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol last week recognized one of its oldest members—CAP Lt. Col. Benjamin Stone—with the CAP Distinguished Service Medal. The CAP also promoted the 93-year-old airman to full colonel. Stone, who has been part of CAP since March 1944 and is considered a founding member, taught many CAP members to fly during World War II on weekends away from his job training Navy aviators.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.