ADM Bill Lescher, USN VCNO currently the Golden Helix from 2016
The Golden Helix Award
The Golden Helix Award honors the Naval Aviator on active duty with the earliest date of designation as a naval helicopter pilot. The Golden Helix Trophy is sponsored by Sikorsky Aircraft.
RECIPIENT DATE DESIGNATED DATE AWARDED
VADM Donald S. Jones, USN 5 May 1953 24 Apr 1983
LtGen Charles H. Pitman, USMC 22 Aug 1953 1 May 1987
RADM Roger L. Rich, USN 20 Aug 1958 1 Oct 1990
RADM Robert Harrison, USN 9 Sept 1960 2 Oct 1992
MajGen Rick Phillips, USMC 18 Jan 1965 1 Oct 1994
RADM Andrew A. Granuzzo, USN 5 Feb 1963 30 Sep 1995
RADM Frank M. Dirren Jr., USN 21 Jan 1966 1 Jun 2000
MajGen Thomas A. Braaton, USMC 7 Jun 1968 1 Jun 2001
Gen Michael J. Williams, USMC 11 Feb 1969 1 Oct 2001
LtGen Michael P. DeLong, USMC 15 Mar 1969 24 Apr 2003
Gen Robert Magnus, USMC 8 Jan 1971 22 Apr 2004
LtGen Emerson N. Gardner, USMC 14 June 1974 16 Jul 2008
LtGen George Trautman III, USMC 9 Apr 1976 May 2010
RADM William E. Shannon III, USN 10 Dec 1976 10 May 2011
LtGen Thomas L. Conant, USMC 9 Sep 1977 May 2013
RADM Bill Lescher, USN 03 Apr 1981 August 2015
RADM, VADM and now ADM Bill Lescher, USN VCNO from 2016 to the present
Rotary Wing Designation Number #15986 Winging Date 03 April 1981
