Wheaton-Silver Spring Cadet Squadron was chartered in 1957, and Lt Col Stephen Craig Gillis joined Civil Air Patrol as a cadet in January 1960. Following three years of service in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Vietnam, he returned to WSSCS in 1970 as its Squadron Commander.
During this time Gillis designed the squadron's patch, inspired by a piece of orginal artwork that had been present at the squadron since he was a cadet. In the photo at right, Cadet Gillis is holding the original artwork during a staff meeting at the Pentagon circa December 1963.
Through a friend, he had each patch individually made in Korea. Each squadron member received a patch, and a few were sent to former members and to the National Capital Wing historian.
Gillis relinquished command in 1993 and left for a position on the wing headquarters communications staff. After this the squadron began to decline as a unit and eventually lost its charter. Knowing how "some things worked in CAP," Gillis had kept possession of what WSSCS patches remained.
Information provided by:
Lt Col Stephen Craig Gillis, Commander 1970-1993
July 10, 2025