United States Air Force Academy

50th Anniverary

Cover Announcement 

On April 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation that established the U.S. Air Force Academy. For forty years, pioneer aviators had been pushing for a military academy that would prepare officers for flight duty. After studies by several commissions from 1948 through the early 1950s, it was determined that a new Air Force Academy was necessary, and Congress authorized its creation. The first class was sworn in on July 11, 1955 at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, and this class moved to the Academy's present location near Colorado Springs on August 29, 1958. In June 1959, they became the first graduating class. Since then, more than 35,000 cadets have graduated.

Currently the Academy's 4,000 cadets study in one of 30 academic majors. The four year program, which stresses military, academic, physical, and character development, is designed to produce a disciplined, ethical, motivated, and professional corps of officers to serve their country in the United States Air Force.

My hand painted cachet features three cadets in dress uniform at parade rest. To the lower right is the seal of the Air Force Academy. This is the second of two cachet varieties I did for this issue. The first one, which was announced previously, was I3801 and featured aircraft that spanned the fifty years. This one honors the men and women who have graduated from the Academy and those who presently study and train there. I respectfully announce my "Cadets in Dress Uniform" cachet for the 50th Anniversary of the United States Air Force Academy. Collins #I3802 - $12.25 .