The Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy recognizes outstanding feats of airmanship by aircrew members who by extraordinary skill, exceptional alertness, ingenuity, or proficiency, averted accidents or minimized the seriousness of the accidents in terms of injury, loss of life, aircraft damage, or property damage.
Background:
This trophy memorializes 1st Lt. Koren Kolligian Jr., an Air Force pilot declared missing in the line of duty when his T-33 aircraft disappeared off the California coast on Sep. 14, 1955.
Since the beginning, the family has continued to play an honored and indispensable role in each year’s presentation ceremony. The Kolligian family donated a large permanent trophy, on display in the Pentagon, plus individual presentation trophies for each year’s awardees.
Presented annually, this is the only individual flight safety award personally presented by Air Force chief of staff.