Aviator of the Year
The Aviator of the Year is the highest honor the Team can present to a member of its aviation section. It was started several years after the Golden Knight of the Year award began as a way to honor members of the aviation section, without which the Team would not be able to function.
The aviator or crewmember selected for this honor is considered by the other members of the Team to be the best aviator and the member of the aviation section that has fulfilled the goal of every Golden Knight: Gain the respect, admiration and gratitude of the American public and his or her teammates.
Selection for this honor is by secret ballot during the annual Golden Knight Week, usually held around mid-November of each year. All military can civilian members of the aviation section are elgible. The award is presented during the annual Golden Knight Reunion or Christmas Party usually held around mid-December.
|
Year |
Click on the name to view photo |
|
1971 |
CW2 PAUL ROSE |
|
1972 |
CW3 CHARLES HILL |
|
1973 |
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1974 |
SFC GEORGE ASHLEY |
|
1975 |
CW3 GEORGE GREENAUER |
|
1976 |
CW2 ANDY FIELDS |
|
1977 |
CW4 SHERRELL KELLY |
|
1978 |
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|
1979 |
SGT JEFF JANKOVICS |
|
1980 |
CW4 BILLY BROOKS |
|
1981 |
SFC MIKE DIECK |
|
1982 |
SSG DENNIS CALLAHAN |
|
1983 |
CW4 BILL FINLEY |
|
1984 |
SGT WILLIS WILLIAMS |
|
1985 |
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1986 |
CW4 ANDREW SIEGNAR |
|
1987 |
SFC ALTON JOHNSON |
|
1988 |
CW4 LUIS JIMENEZ |
|
1989 |
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1990 |
CW3 AL COLEMAN |
|
1991 |
CW3 KENNETH WARREN |
|
1992 |
CW4 ROBERT GIACCONE |
|
1993 |
CW4 JOHN SPIRES |
|
1994 |
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1995 |
CW4 SCOTT CURTIS |
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1996 |
SSG KEVIN KOLOSKI |
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1997 |
CW4 KEVIN WHITE |
|
1998 |
CW4 MAC ROWELL |
| 1999 | SSG DAN MOESCH |
| 2000 | CW3 JERRY SARTIN |
| 2001 | CW4 CHARLES WADDELL |
| 2002 | CW4 KEN BREEDEN |
| 2003 | CW5 MAC ROWELL |
| 2004 | SFC BRANDON SMITH |
| 2005 | CPL BRUCE SHARBIUS |
| 2006 | CW4 MICHAEL KNECHT |
