National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol

Since 1975, the National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol is the senior elected official within the Civil Air Patrol. From 1941 until August 1975, the National Commander of CAP was an appointed active duty USAAF or USAF officer, typically a General Officer. In September 1975, this became a civilian position held by an active CAP member. The National Commander is the only member of the Civil Air Patrol who holds the CAP rank of Major General. The original name of this position was Chairman of the CAP Board. Colonel George A. Stone, Ohio Wing Commander, became the first Chairman, but later died in an aircraft accident.

USAAF-USAF National Commanders

 * Maj Gen John F. Curry, USAAF, Dec 1941-Mar 1942
 * Col Earle E. Johnson, USAAF, Mar 1942-Feb 1947
 * Brig Gen Frederick H. Smith, USAF 21 Feb 1947 - 30 Sep 1947
 * Maj Gen Lucas V. Beau, USAF, 1 Oct 1947 - 31 Dec 1955
 * Maj Gen Walter R. Agee, USAF,  1 Jan 1956 - 31 Mar 1959
 * Brig Gen Stephen D. McElroy, USAF, 1 Apr 1959 - 15 Dec 1961
 * Col Paul C. Ashworth, USAF, 15 Dec 1961 - 31 Jul 1964
 * Col Joe L. Mason, USAF, 1 Aug 1964 - 30 Apr 1967
 * Brig Gen William W. Wilcox, USAF, 1 May 1967 - 31 Oct 1968
 * Maj Gen Walter B. Putnam, USAF, 1 Nov 1968 - 31 Oct 1969
 * Brig Gen Richard N. Ellis, USAF, 1 Nov 1969 - 31 Oct 1972
 * Brig Gen Leslie J. Westberg, USAF, 1 Nov 1972 - 28 Aug 1975

== Chairman of the National Board ==
 * Gen Carl A. Spaatz, USAF (Ret), Aug 1948-Apr 1959
 * Col (later Brig Gen) D. Harold Byrd, CAP, Apr 1959-Apr 1960
 * Col (later Brig Gen) William C. Whelen, CAP, Apr 1960-Apr 1962
 * Col (later Brig Gen) Paul W. Turner, CAP, Sep 1962-Oct 1965
 * Brig Gen Lyle W. Castle, CAP, Oct 1965-Oct 1968
 * Brig Gen F. Ward Reilly, CAP, Oct 1968-Oct 1970
 * Brig Gen Samuel H. du Pont, Jr., CAP, Oct 1970-Oct 1973
 * Brig Gen William M. Patterson, CAP, Oct 1973-Aug 1975

== CAP National Commanders ==
 * Brig Gen William M. Patterson, CAP, Sep 1975-Sep 1976
 * Brig Gen Thomas C. Casaday, CAP, Sep 1976-Sep 1979
 * Brig Gen Johnnie Boyd, CAP, Sep 1979-Aug 1982
 * Brig Gen Howard L. Brookfield, CAP, Aug 1982-Aug 1984
 * Brig Gen William B. Cass, CAP, Aug 1984-Mar 1986
 * Maj Gen Eugene E. Harwell, CAP, Mar 1986-Aug 1990
 * Brig Gen Warren J. Barry, CAP, Aug 1990-Aug 1993
 * Brig Gen Richard L. Anderson, CAP, Aug 1993-Aug 1996
 * Brig Gen Paul M. Bergman, CAP, Aug 1996-Mar 1998
 * Brig Gen James C. Bobick, CAP, Mar 1998-Aug 2001
 * Maj Gen Richard L. Bowling, CAP, Aug 2001-Aug 2004
 * Maj Gen Dwight H. Wheless, CAP, Aug 2004-Jul 2005
 * Maj Gen Antonio J. Pineda, CAP, Jul 2005-Oct 2007
 * Brig Gen Amy S. Courter, CAP, Oct 2007-Aug 2008
 * Maj Gen Amy S. Courter, CAP, Aug 2008–Aug 2011
 * Maj Gen Charles L. “Chuck” Carr Jr., CAP, Aug 2011- Present