I. Background:  The USAF Public Affairs Memorial is sponsored by the Air Force Public Affairs Alumni Association (AFPAAA) as a tribute to those men and women who have died while on an official public affairs assignment whether by hostile fire or in a duty related incident/accident. The memorial pays homage to all USAF active duty, reserve and guard PA's, broadcasters and bandsmen - military and civilian - who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

II. Purpose:  To reinforce the importance of the role of the PA career field and to acknowledge the vital, sometimes hazardous duties PA's perform in support of the USAF's war fighting capability.

III. The Memorial Design:  The final design is in development and depends to a great extent on the physical location.  Sites under consideration are DINFOS, Pentagon and USAF Museum. But, at minimum the Memorial will include an engraved plaque containing words of dedication and a suitable graphic. Arrayed around the basic plaque will be engraved nameplates listing name, rank, date and location of death of each individual to be memorialized. 

IV. Selection Committee:  A five (5) person Selection Committee will review and select individuals  to be included on the memorial from a list provided by the AFPAAA and nominations from the AFPAAA membership. The Selection Committee consists of a Chairman and four members appointed by the Association's board. Committee members may be of any rank and will include a representative from the guard or reserve.  Selection Committee members are: (vacant), Chairman; Carey Deckard, BGEN USAFR (Ret), Hugh Burns, LTC USAF (Ret), William H. Campbell, SSGT USAF (Ret) amd (vacant).

V. Nomination Procedures: Nominations will be solicited from the Association's membership. Nominations should be sent to the Association P.O. Box, Attn: Memorial Committee. Each nomination should include, at minimum, the nominee's name, rank, service number, a detailed description of the circumstances, and explanation of why the individual is being nominated and complete contact information (Name, address and phone number) of the person making the nomination. The nomination package may include news clippings, personal statements from others as well as any other material relevant to the selection process including official records.

VI. Criteria for Selection:  To be memorialized on the USAF PA Memorial, nominees and circumstances must meet the following criteria:

1. The nominee must have been serving honorably on active, guard or reserve duty in the USAF in a public affairs, broadcast or band position ? military or civilian ? when they died.

2. The circumstances of death must be related to the performance of Public Affairs duties and, in most instances, should have occurred as a direct result of the performance of those duties.

3. The beginning date for consideration is September 18, 1947.

4. There is no restriction on age, rank, gender, ethnicity or religious affiliation attached to the nomination and/or selection process.

5. Finally, the selection committee will be as inclusive as possible within a reasonable interpretation of the selection criteria.

VII. The Selection Process:  The selection committee will review nominations for inclusion in the USAF PA Memorial at least once each year, such review to occur at least four (4) months prior to the annual meeting. The committee will:

1. Review nomination packages without prejudice for completeness and request any additional information from the nominator or USAF as required. 

2. Request a summary of the nominee's official military record from AF/DP through the SAF/PA representative. 

3. Review the nomination package and official military records and make a recommendation based on the Criteria for Selection. (VI above) 

4. Selection Committee recommendations must be unanimous. 

5. If a nominee is NOT selected, a letter from the Selection Committee Chairman will be sent to the nominator explaining the reason(s) for non-selection. 

6. The Selection Committee's list of recommendations will be presented to the Association's Board of Directors for final approval. Such approval will be by simple majority vote. (The Board cannot add or delete nominees outside of the normal nomination process.) 

7. Once a nominee has received Board approval, a letter from the Association's President announcing same will be sent to the nominator. and the nominees family. 

8. The names of individuals to be added to the USAF PA Memorial will be announced during a suitable ceremony at the Association's Annual Meeting along with an explanation of the circumstances. 

9. An engraved plaque containing the nominee's name, rank, date and (geographic) location of death will be added to the memorial as soon as practicable after the formal announcement.