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Former NC Wing Commander Retires from CAP

Capt Roy Douglass in VN 1966
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Capt Roy Douglass, U.S. Army (left) and Capt Jerry Laird in Bao Trai, Vietnam in Oct 1966 (click image to view full size)
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Col Roy Douglass praised for 24 years of outstanding service

7/31/2016––Former NC Wing Commander Col Roy Douglass retired from Civil Air Patrol (CAP) effective 31 July 2016.  A retirement party was held in his honor at the Orange County Composite Squadron on 28 July 2016.  

The ceremony and party was attended by Col Douglass’ family (including wife Jnet), friends and CAP colleagues.  Capt Ronald Watkins, Commander of the Orange County Composite Squadron, presented Col Douglass with a Certificate of Appreciation and thanked Col Douglass for his 24 years of service to CAP.

Col Douglass is a highly-decorated war hero for his combat actions during the Vietnam War.  After enlisting in the U.S. Army during college, he began his command experience as a Platoon Leader and rose to the rank of Battalion Commander.  Some of his military awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutist wings, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Medals, three Army Commendation Medals (one for Heroism), the Good Conduct Medal, two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses, the Vietnamese Wound Badge and four Bronze Stars.  His Vietnam War exploits are detailed in Chapter 5 of the book, “The Boys of Benning.” 
 
While on active military duty, Col Douglass attended college at nights and on weekends, and earned his Master of Arts Degree in Business Management from Central Michigan University, and his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Florida International University.  Following his military service, Col Douglass had a successful 23 year career with GTE/Verizon where he managed up to 500 employees.
 
Col Douglass began his CAP volunteer career in 1992.  In his squadron days, Col Douglass served in numerous roles with the Orange County Composite Squadron including Personnel Officer, Professional Development Officer, Squadron Leadership Officer and Squadron Commander.  
 
He served the NC Wing in multiple positions including Transportation Officer, Inspector General, Director of Finance, Chief of Staff and, ultimately, as the NC Wing Commander.  His leadership as the NC Wing Commander from 2009 to 2012 included many notable accomplishments such as:  (a) the NCWG earned two Paul Turner National Safety Awards; (b) the NCWG received the Unit Citation Award; (c) NCWG POD members were deployed for the Presidential declared disaster in Beaufort County; (d) the Wing Legislative Squadron Commander visited our State legislators and recruited new legislators to the NCWG legislative squadron increasing membership from one legislator to more than 60 legislators; (e) the Wing Govt Affairs Officer worked hard on Capitol Hill and convinced more than 70% of NC’s legislators to sign on to legislation granting the Congressional Gold Medal to WW2 CAP members; and (f) the current NCWG patch was designed and adopted.
 
Col Douglass also held various Middle East Region staff positions including Professional Development Officer and Chief of Staff.
 
Regarding Col Douglass’ retirement, Col R. Jason Bailey, NC Wing Commander stated, “Col Douglass’ career in Civil Air Patrol truly has been distinguished.   I want to personally thank him for all that he has done.  I am very thankful for his time as Wing Commander and the mentorship he provided to me during that time.  I am thankful that he took time to personally be involved in the Unit Commanders Course and the IG courses.  I am also thankful that he invested time to attend the various Wing Ranger events.”
 
Col Douglass, like many long-time CAP members, is a quiet humble hero.  He rarely talks about his military service or the shrapnel permanently embedded in his neck, shoulder and back.
 
CAP is infinitely better because he walked among us.  He will be greatly missed.