The Midway American Patriot Award uniquely honors individuals who embody dedication, honor, achievement, and sacrifice in service to America. This year, two of TOPGUN’s most-accomplished graduates, retired Admiral James ‘Jaws’ Winnefeld and retired Vice Admiral Walter ‘Slapshot’ Carter have received the prestigious award, following previous honorees who include Bob Hope, Lee Iacocca, Apollo and Gemini Astronauts, the Heroes of the Battle of Midway, John McCain, Bob and Elizabeth Dole, and the Gabby Giffords/Mark Kelly team.

Admiral Winnefeld’s service includes command of USS Enterprise (CVN-65), Carrier Strike Group TWO, U.S. SIXTH Fleet, and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), as well as his appointment as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.   A highly decorated American patriot, he also commanded the VF-211 ‘Fighting Checkmates’ and flew aerial scenes in the 1986 movie, TOPGUN.

Among other assignments, Vice Admiral Carter commanded the VF-14 ‘Tophatters’, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and Carrier Strike Group TWELVE during the final combat deployment of the Navy’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN-65). Returning to his alma mater in 2014, he completed his distinguished career as the 62nd Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy.

Admirals Winnefeld and Carter both flew the famed F-14 ‘Tomcat’ and will team-up once again in their former tactical roles as Pilot and Radar Intercept Officer to form our 2019 TOPGUN 50th Anniversary crew.