This page includes History of the Trophies, Current Year Award Information and Family Biographies.
The NAA Brewer Trophies
In 1943, the National Aeronautics Association established the Office of Air Youth and proposed to establish an annual trophy
to be awarded in recognition of unselfish service for the advancement of air youth.
Mr. Frank G. Brewer, Sr.
accepted sponsorship service and endowment of this trophy to honor two sons who were World War II veterans, Frank Jr. and
Robert. Frank Jr. was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and eleven Air Medals serving in
B-26 MARTIN MARAUDERS while on 69 combat missions over northern France. Robert was a paratrooper, who jumped on D-Day, was captured D-Day+3, and
later died in a German prisoner of war camp. In addition, Frank Sr. established two others tropies to recognize these same
contributions in the State of Alabama and in his home city of Birmingham.
The first trophies were awarded in December 1943 to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight
at Kitty Hawk. The National Trophy was presented to the Civil Aeronautics Administration, the State Trophy went to the Birmingham
Exchange Club, and the City Trophy was awarded to Mr. Brown G. Hill.
Due to scarcity of metal during the war years, the first Brewer Trophy award was a certificate, not a trophy, presented in
the Office of the Vice President of the United States, Henry A. Wallace, to the Civil Aeronautics Administration "for the
Civilian Pilot Training Program, making it possible for 250,000 youths, 15 to 18 years of age, to exploit their interest in
aviation, by availing themselves of aviation education on a nation wide basis in high schools."
With determined resolve, Frank G. Brewer, Jr. negotiated an agreement with the Smithsonian Institution on May 26, 1952, whereby
the original of the Frank G. Brewer National Trophy was permanently enshrined in the National Air and Space Museum.
On December 17, 1952, as an indication that the Brewer Trophy had achieved prominence as "the nation’s highest award
for aerospace education" the award presentation was made at the Aero Club of Washington by the President of the United States,
Harry S. Truman to the Civil Air Patrol.
The three Brewer Trophies were awarded each year through 1956. Upon Mr. Brewer’s death in 1957, his son
Frank Jr. requested that the State and City trophies be retired. The original Alabama State and Birmingham City trophies are on permanent
display at the Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham. The National Aeronautics Association continues to present the National
Trophy annually.
In 1986 Mr. Brewer, Jr. established a trust fund with the National Aeronautic Association to provide in perpetuity the annual
awarding of the Brewer Trophy. This trophy is acclaimed to be the most prestigious award in aerospace education.
In 2006 Mr. Brewer, Jr. and his sons Frank III and Robert began motions to form a corporation "to promote Aviation Education
through the Brewer Trophy and support the NAA, the Smithsonian Institution, and other organizations in enhancing the promotion
and growth of Aviation Education". The Brewer Trophy Aviation Education Association was formally incorporated on May 8, 2007
and became an NAA Affiliate on June 6, 2007.
Award Information
Brewer Nomination Guidelines
Guidelines and instructions may be found on the NAA website's
Brewer Trophy page.
Criteria
The Frank G. Brewer Trophy is awarded annually to an individual, a group of individuals, or an organization for significant
contributions of enduring value to aerospace education in the United States.
National Aeronautic Association
Attn: Brewer Nomination
Suite 202
1 Reagan National Airport Hngr 7
Washington DC 20001-6015
Selection Committee
The Frank G. Brewer Trophy Selection Committee is appointed annually by the President of the National Aeronautic Association.
Presentation
The Frank G. Brewer Trophy is presented at an appropriate ceremony as determined by the President of the National Aeronautic
Association.
Family Biographies
