Honoring Academy Heritage

This Day in Air Force Academy History...

Dec. 3, 1954 - A Norman Rockwell Painting, "Jet Fighter Pilot," is sent to the Academy at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver. The painting depicts WWII and Korean War fighter pilot Maj. Alexander J. Melancon from San Antonio. The painting was originally made for the Air Force Recruiting Service and appeared on several TV programs. Dec. 3, 1955 - Men's basketball defeats the Regis' "B" team 79-68 in its first-ever game. Bob Beckel scores 29 points. Dec. 3, 1958 - Nearly 200 Airmen and firefighters douse a brush fire threatening a newly built housing in Douglass Valley. Dec. 3, 1961- Musician, bandleader, radio and TV personality Fred Waring performs at the Academy with his band, the Pennsylvanians, during the Allied Arts program Let Freedom Ring. Dec. 3, 1961 - A cadet wing edition of the CBS TV show, Candid Camera, airs in Arnold Hall. The program, created by producer Allan Funt, is filmed before and during the Falcons Football game at Southern Methodist University Oct. 8. Dec. 3, 1997 - The Academy's second child development center, designed to serve 250 children between six weeks to five years old, opens in Pine Valley. Dec. 3, 2006 - Falcons Football coach Fisher DeBerry records his final coach's show. The show had been regularly produced in a Fairchild Hall studio since moving to the Academy in August 1997. The program aired locally on KOAA and was broadcast overseas on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. Dec. 3, 2010 - The Academy's Cyber Competition Team competes in its first intercollegiate competition, the International Capture the Flag, and places 12th among 72 teams. Dec. 3, 2013 - The Academy's first Falcon Telescope Network telescope is installed at Otero Junior College, La Junta, by the Physics Department's Center for Space Situational Awareness Research staff. This was the first of 12 planned Falcon Telescope Network sites scheduled to be installed around the world by 2015.

Research for this date in USAFA historical achievements was provided by Steven Simon '77. Read about other USAFA grad accomplishments.

Heritage Minute

One key mission of the Association of Graduates is to highlight some of those things that make the Academy the special place that it is. As a result, the AOG has launched a series of “Heritage Minute” videos that will be available weekly from our website, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram TV. Each episode of the “Heritage Minute” will feature a historic site or display found somewhere on the Academy campus.

Academy Heritage Projects

The Association of Graduates uncovers, records, displays and honors the heritage, history and legacy of the U.S. Air Force Academy and its graduates.

Class Histories

Select a year below to learn more about the USAFA class, read Polaris yearbooks, link to class websites, and more!

Class Rings and Prints

The AOG facilitates the Class Ring program, from working with cadets on ring decisions to helping grads with lost class rings.

Since 1975 the United States Air Force Academy's graduating classes have been given a special painting pertaining to their graduating class year.

Award Recognition

Distinguished Graduate Award

The Distinguished Graduate Award recognizes exceptional graduates who have set themselves apart ...

Young Alumni Award

Nominations being sought for young ...

Jabara Award for Airmanship

Colonel James Jabara Award goes to a graduate whose airmanship contribtuions are of great significance ...

Honorary Members

Honorary membership is awarded to persons who have rendered outstanding service ...

Past, Present and Future

Honoring fallen comrades is an important part of the AOG mission.

If you plan on visiting the Academy, please review these online resources.

USAFA graduates have excelled in all areas of life.

Heritage and Traditions Committee

Learn more about the Policies and Procedures of the Heritage and Traditions Committee.