‘A team effort’: Academy’s History Office takes home top awards

Story by Ray Bowden, photo by Trevor Cokley, Oct. 21, 2020

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — The Air Force Academy’s History Office earned two high-level awards earlier this month: the Excellence in History Program Award and the Air Force Heritage Award.

The Excellence in History Program Award recognizes the best history programs in the Air Force, and the Air Force Heritage Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments by Air Force History and Museums Program personnel.

“Receiving these awards was truly a team effort,” said Dr. Charles Dusch, the school’s command historian and director. “Every member of our history office, our museums specialist, and our special collections teams made these awards possible.”

Dusch said the history office’s preservation of events and activities concerning the Academy creates a wealth of information that influences how the Academy operates and how senior leaders make decisions.

“We’re trusted by the superintendent and commanders to share the Academy story and the good work that’s been accomplished here for more than 60 years,” he said. “We present those senior leaders with a body of knowledge that’s often used as a foundation for their decisions.”

One achievement Dusch said he’s most proud of is the History Office’s involvement in creating a request to name the Academy’s airfield after Tuskegee Airman and World War II pilot Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr.

“I’m very grateful to have served with this team,” Dusch said. “We often joke at the Academy that we’re ‘all one team,’ but it’s so true and that teamwork really contributes to our institutional successes.”

Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, the Academy’s superintendent, announced the award Oct. 7.

“I send my sincerest congratulations to Dr. Charles Dusch and his team for their recognition,” he said. “We have much to celebrate in our history, and this is only the beginning.”

Learn about the history of the United States Air Force Academy here.