Rounds Presents Congressional Gold Medal to Jeffries Family

RAPID CITY—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the family of the late Vernon Roy Jeffries of Rapid City for his service as a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) pilot during World War II.

“Vernon Jeffries’ dedication to his country is clearly evident,” said Rounds. “It’s an honor to present his family with the Congressional Gold Medal today. Vernon was one of three founding members of the Civil Air Patrol from South Dakota. He volunteered to fly small, single-engine, fabric-covered aircraft out to sea off the New Jersey coast to spot Nazi U-Boats. Vernon knew that his mission was dangerous, yet he never backed down from the challenge. His selfless service to his nation should be a lesson to all of us as we continue to fight new enemies who threaten our security and freedom.”

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award in the United States. It is awarded to those who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient’s field long after the achievement.

Today’s presentation represents the third time a Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to a South Dakotan. The two previous awards were presented to the families of John Gibson Rae Jr., and Earl Wilkinson.