sedona legend helen frye

JACK FRYE and the

MEDAL FOR MERIT

by order of the President of the United States- Harry S. Truman

The Highest Ranking Civilian Award
Bestowed During World War II

Quote from the Official Site of the Gold Medal:

"The Medal of Merit, also known as the Medal for Merit, was established in 1942, by Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was to honor civilian citizens of the United States and their allies for exceptional service during World War II."

Word for Word- the text from the Medal for Merit Certificate issued to Jack Frye
on December 22 1946 is displayed below:

The Presidential Certificate:

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING:
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORDER ISSUED BY GENERAL
GEORGE WASHINGTON AT HEADQUARTERS, NEWBURGH,
NEW YORK, ON AUGUST 7, 1782, AND PURSUANT TO ACT
OF CONGRESS, HAS AWARDED THE MEDAL

FOR MERIT
TO
JACK FRYE

FOR EXTRAORDINARY FIDELITY AND EXCEPTIONALLY
MERITORIOUS CONDUCT

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND IN THE CITY OF WASHINGTON
THIS EIGHTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER 1946

Signed--

James F. Byrnes

Harry Truman

SECRETARY OF STATE

COMMANDER IN CHIEF

Please Click On Photos For Larger Files.

Jack and Helen Frye were invited to the White House for the Medal for Merit Presentation on December 22, 1946. The photo to the left, and above left, courtesy of Helen Frye's family, shows the presentation ceremony at the White House in Washington D.C. The photo, right, appeared in newspapers.

A note attached to the photo written by Jack's wife, Helen Frye, is transcribed as follows:

"When Jack Frye was given the highest civilian decoration at the White House during the war, I, as his wife, was given the ribbon metal with the Eagle, against the circle of the stars- (for merit).
The gold wings were Jack's insignia." Helen Varner Frye

The writing on the photo as written by Helen Frye is transcribed, as follows:

"Jack receiving Merit of Honor, Dec 1941- Aug 1945, highest civilian award for outstanding service to United Nations." Helen Varner Frye

The following quote is from Jack Frye's only sister, Ople (Sunny) Frye Thomas:

"The medal was bestowed by the President of the United States for performing air transport service of vital importance during World War II." Sunny Frye Thomas

The "CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR MERIT," (details of service to the United States), which was presented to Jack Frye, has been lost or stolen. However the wording is displayed below. Please click here to see a photocopy of the citation. Research of archive records at the Truman Library and the National Archives is ongoing. Wording is courtesy of Frye intimate, Charles M. Carpenter, M.D.

Citation To Accompany The Award Of The Medal For Merit
As Bestowed By The United States of America in 1946 to Jack Frye:.

Jack Frye, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Unites Nations from December, 1941 to August 1945. Mr. Frye, and President of Trans World Airlines, formerly Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc., made a noteworthy contribution to the success of air operations against the enemy as a result of his broad experience in the operation of commercial air transports, and the force and vigor with which he addressed himself to the critical conflict into which his country was projected. Even before the outbreak of hostilities, he established schools for the training of pilots and maintenance crews to insure successful ferrying of material and personnel to the combat theaters. After the war began, he inaugurated air routes across the North and South Atlantic, and from Northern Europe to bases in Africa. The network of air communications he established made possible the speedy shipment of mail, cargo, and personnel necessary to carry out vital missions for the Armed Forces. In accomplishing these projects, he devoted himself unselfishly and vigorously to the military necessities of the Nation, and made a direct contribution to the success of the air war. Mr. Frye’s conduct and achievements , his patriotic devotion, and his unselfish pursuit of the means to achieve victory in the air reflect the greatest credit on him and the Government and the people of the United States.

Signed,
Harry Truman
President of the United States of America

The White House
December 18, 1946

Medal For Merit Awarded To Frye

December 22, 1946 (as reported in the Chicago Tribune)

Secretary of War Patterson presented the Medal for Merit yesterday to Jack Frye, president of Trans World Airlines, for “outstanding services to the United Nations” in war time. A citation said Frye made a noteworthy contribution in the operation of commercial air transports, starting overseas air routes, and training pilots and crews.

Please note- according to the Harry S. Truman Library- Jack Frye was invited back to the White House Rose Garden by Truman for another Medal for Merit ceremony on October 1, 1947. This medal was presented by Truman to Jack's good friend, Col. Louis Johnson, former Secretary of War and Commander of the Foreign Legion, and G.A.F.

For additional stories, as told by Helen Frye of her memories of the White House, please see the bottom of this page. Jack Frye was one of the most powerful and influential members of the Democratic Party in the 1940's and 1950's, and a personal friend of President Truman. Many fellow Democrats, like myself are very proud of this fact.

The Washington Post, December 21, 1953, announced that the $1,500,000 memorial Truman Library was slated to move forward. In the article it was mentioned among many other V.I.P.'s involved, that Jack Frye, of New York City was a member of the Board of the Trustees for the project which was to be built at Grandview, Missouri..

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Transcontinental and Western Air

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