On Monday, May 19, 2014, the House will consider H.R. 685, the American Fighter Aces Congressional Gold Medal Act, as amended, under suspension of the rules. H.R. 685 was introduced on February 14, 2013 by Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX) and referred to the Committee on Financial Services. The bill has 312 cosponsors.
H.R. 685 authorizes the striking and award of a single gold medal in recognition American fighter aces from all wars. The bill would additionally authorize the creation of bronze Congressional Gold Medal duplicates at a price intended to recoup the costs of designing and striking the gold medal.
Since World War I, military services have maintained official records of individual aerial victory credits. An American Fighter Ace is a pilot who has served honorably and who has destroyed five or more confirmed enemy aircraft. Of more than 60,000 U.S. military fighter pilots, less than 1,500 have become fighter aces. Fighter aces hail from every state in the U.S., and nineteen Medals of Honor have been awarded to individual fighter aces.
The total cost of issuing a Congressional Gold Medal and its duplicates is $35,000. However, the Gold Medal is paid for by the sale of duplicate bronze medals, which will fully offset the cost of creating the medals. Implementing H.R. 685 will have no significant impact on the federal budget.
For questions or further information contact the GOP Conference at 5-5107.