Va. Wing Cadet Achieves Top Honor -- Spaatz Award

Cadet Col. Cyrus Rodriguez served on the Virginia Wing Encampment cadet command staff in 2019.

Cadet Col. Cyrus Rodriguez of the Virginia Wing’s Leesburg Composite Squadron has earned Civil Air Patrol’s highest cadet achievement -- the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award, obtained by less than one-half of 1% of all cadets.

Rodriguez joined CAP in October 2017. He serves as his squadron’s cadet communications officer and cadet historian and is also represents the Virginia Wing on the Mid-Atlantic Region Cadet Advisory Council

In 2019 he served on the cadet staff for the Virginia Wing Encampment and attended Hawk Mountain Ranger School. He was recognized as Veterans of Foreign Wars Outstanding Cadet Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Award the same year.

“Cadet Rodriguez’ dedication to his goal of earning the Spaatz award is a testament to what hard work and a drive to succeed can achieve,” said Maj. David Thornton, Leesburg squadron commander.

“The members of our squadron are all proud to see him complete this achievement and are excited to see what Cadet Rodriguez does in the future.”

Rodriguez is the 83rd Virginia Wing cadet to earn the award and the second to do so this year. He attends Virginia Tech and is part of the Corps of Cadets. He plans to commission into the U.S. Air Force.