Order of Daedalians

Order of Daedalians America’s Premier Fraternity of Military Aviators | First To Fly In Time Of War | Join Your Legacy of Airpower Excellence | ✈️ |
Since 1934

This Memorial Day, we honor all those Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice, placing nation above self. Daedalians c...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor all those Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice, placing nation above self. Daedalians continue to honor the fallen and ensure their legacies are remembered.

"With heads bowed old men showing their years in gray
At the grave of the Unknown Soldier at the dawn of the day
In silence do listen as a young bugler the last post does play
For one who fought and died in a war far away."
-Francis Duggan


📸: Shaun SchofieldToday, we mark the 81st Anniversary of V-E Day 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇫🇷Daedalians honor the brave whose service and sa...
05/09/2026

📸: Shaun Schofield

Today, we mark the 81st Anniversary of V-E Day 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇫🇷

Daedalians honor the brave whose service and sacrifices throughout World War II helped ensure the guns fell silent across Europe and the restoration of peace.

"Some of them land at lonely airfields
far removed from the celebration,
hang their flying gear in a locker,
cadge a lift to the railway station,
make for home and take for granted
the short-lived thanks of a grateful nation."
-Peter Wyton

INSPIRING TOMORROW'S MILITARY AVIATORS 🚀'Tis the season for JROTC Medals 🏅In the tradition of our Founders, this high sc...
03/31/2026

INSPIRING TOMORROW'S MILITARY AVIATORS 🚀

'Tis the season for JROTC Medals 🏅
In the tradition of our Founders, this high school award is presented to students demonstrating outstanding citizenship, academic excellence, and interest in pursuing a military career.

Our 60 active flights and an army of Daedalian members volunteer to present over 1,200 medals each year across CONUS and at DODEA schools to exceptional young Americans who:
⭐Demonstrate patriotism, love of country and a commitment to serving our nation
⭐Potential, interest, and desire to pursue a military career
⭐Rank in the upper 10 percent of their JROTC class
⭐Rank in the upper 20 percent of their high school class.

Our JROTC program reflects our commitment to pass the wings forward, , and empower the next generation of military aviators, connect those with a passion for across generations, and remain engaged in America's flying and service communities.


MEDAL OF HONOR MONDAY ⭐🇺🇸Today we honor the valor, heroism, and superior of CAPT Royce Williams, USN (Ret.). Captain W...
03/30/2026

MEDAL OF HONOR MONDAY ⭐🇺🇸

Today we honor the valor, heroism, and superior of CAPT Royce Williams, USN (Ret.). Captain Williams was presented with the Congressional Medal of Honor last month for his long secret and legendary engagement taking on seven Soviet aircraft during the Korean War in November 1952.

"One of the greatest feats in aviation history", Williams, flying an F9F-5 Panther shot down four MiG-15 fighters over the course of one of the longest of all time. When he ultimately landed his nearly uncontrollable, and ultimately unsalvageable aircraft on the USS Oriskany, it had over 260 perforations in it received from the Soviet fighters.

The engagement remained a secret for decades until files were declassified in 2002. Captain Williams continued to serve as a for a full thirty-three year career until his retirement in 1980, which included service in World War II, Korea and 110 missions in the A-4 Skyhawk and F-4 Phantom off the USS Kitty Hawk during the Vietnam War.


CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WAI PIONEER HALL OF FAME 2026 INDUCTEE 💫🎊Lt. Col. Olga Custodio, USAFR (Ret.), Daedalian Foundati...
03/30/2026

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WAI PIONEER HALL OF FAME 2026 INDUCTEE 💫🎊

Lt. Col. Olga Custodio, USAFR (Ret.), Daedalian Foundation Trustee is among the latest inductees into the Women in Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame.

The first military pilot and commercial airline captain at American Airlines, Olga's barrier-breaking career included 24 years in a , including as an instructor pilot, and over 11,000 flight hours in her logbook in diverse military and civilian aircraft.

Olga continues to pass the wings forward as a dedicated , STEM advocate, speaker, and board leader as she encourages young women to pursue careers in and . We are grateful for her continued service to the Daedalians and dedication to inspiring the next generation of as they take to the skies.

Learn more about her legendary career and check out her induction video here: https://youtu.be/GyIU8REVsKQ


TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF MILITARY AVIATORS ✈🚁Over 16 weeks, high school students in the VMax Virtual Flight Acade...
03/27/2026

TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF MILITARY AVIATORS ✈🚁

Over 16 weeks, high school students in the VMax Virtual Flight Academy completed an intensive after-school aviation training program modeled after U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training standards.

Participants logged more than 40 hours of academic instruction and nearly 20 hours in flight simulators, learning the same foundational concepts Air Force student pilots use while training in the T-6 Texan II.

From emergency procedures to landing patterns, these high school students demonstrated remarkable skill and discipline in the simulator, with the majority earning FAIR to EXCELLENT evaluations on challenging maneuvers.

VMax introduces students to aviation career pathways early. The experience builds the confidence, knowledge, and mentorship needed to pursue futures in military and civilian aviation.

The Order of Daedalians is proud to sponsor initiatives empowering future aviators to take to the skies. Our work strengthens the aviation talent pipeline for generations to come.

HAPPY FOUNDER'S DAY ⭐🇺🇸🎊On March 26, 1934, thirty-five pilots came together to form the Order of Daedalians. This brot...
03/27/2026

HAPPY FOUNDER'S DAY ⭐🇺🇸🎊
On March 26, 1934, thirty-five pilots came together to form the Order of Daedalians. This brotherhood came together to continue their of patriotism and self-sacrifice as the first to fly in time of war. Over our ninety-two year history, our members have carried forward their heritage as masters of the air in our mission to honor all those who flew and fly in defense of our nation.

Today's Daedalians, America's rated, commissioned military , perpetuate the memory and continue the tradition of excellence of all 14,167 of our Founder Members. As a Daedalian, you don’t just honor the past 100 years of American military aviation - you become it. Inspire future generations to take to the skies and join us today.

✈

INSPIRING TOMORROW'S MILITARY AVIATORS ✈⭐Daedalians were once again proud to support the VMax Virtual Flight Academy thi...
03/06/2026

INSPIRING TOMORROW'S MILITARY AVIATORS ✈⭐
Daedalians were once again proud to support the VMax Virtual Flight Academy this year. This week, students from South San Antonio area high schools competed at the 559th Flying Training Squadron testing their skills in instrument flying basics.

Students from Poteet High School and Pleasanton High School capped off their 16-week training program practicing on commercial flight simulator mimicking those used to train on the Air Force T-6 Texas II aircraft. The VMax program aims to empower youth to overcome barriers to careers in aviation by exposing the to training opportunities and mentors early in their career journey.

THE DAEDALIAN LEGACY - FIRST TO FLY 🏅✈Founder No. 3️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ - Maj. Gen. Benjamin D. Foulois"Father of U.S. Military Avia...
03/03/2026

THE DAEDALIAN LEGACY - FIRST TO FLY 🏅✈
Founder No. 3️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ - Maj. Gen. Benjamin D. Foulois
"Father of U.S. Military Aviation"

On this day in 1910, Benjamin Foulois made the premier aboard Army Airplane No. 1 at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Foulois flew for 7.5 mins, circling the field at 200 ft and a speed of 30 mph, ultimately completing four flights that day. They included his "first solo, first landing, and first crackup", all in the same day.

This "mail-order pilot" who learned to fly based on written instructions from the has several other major firsts and achievements to his name:
➡First observer in a cross-country flight
➡First to fly 100 miles non-stop
➡First to test use of radio while airborne
➡First to conduct an official flight
➡First to command a Air Unit, the 1st Aero Squadron
➡First to use aircraft in a operation
➡First Chief of Air Service during , leading first All-American units in against German
➡First Chief to win Mackay Trophy in 1931

General Foulois was not only a pioneer of the use of in combat operations, but also an early advocate for a separate . He retired from the U.S. in 1935 after 37 years of service.

We celebrate our Daedalian Founders' of AirPower excellence.


HAIL, FAREWELL, AND HAPPY LANDINGS 🚀🇺🇸59 years ago today, 27 January 1967, the of the lost their lives. During a lau...
01/28/2026

HAIL, FAREWELL, AND HAPPY LANDINGS 🚀🇺🇸

59 years ago today, 27 January 1967, the of the lost their lives. During a launch rehearsal for what was intended to be the first mission of the program, a cabin fire broke out in the command module, and sadly all three men were lost. We are thinking of the Apollo 1 crew, and their family and friends as we reflect on their sacrifice today.

Gus Grissom and Ed White were proud and active members of the Order of Daedalians. They, along with fellow crew member Roger Chaffee truly exemplified our - "to perpetuate love of country and the high ideals of self-sacrifice" - through their pioneering contributions to the American program and the giving of their lives to a cause larger than themselves.

Preserved in the Daedalian , Gus Grissom's correspondence and the exchanges of friendship between fellow as a member tell the story of his career and , and are a testament to his upholding our Order's original tenets: , and , and aid to a fellow Daedalian in time of need...

These three brave men truly exemplified the best of our profession as they reached for the . We salute their memory 🫡

Address

55 Main Cir, Bldg #676
Randolph Air Force Base, TX
78148

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 12pm

Telephone

+12109452111

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