First African American Thunderbirds pilot wins Wright Brothers trophy

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“It is very clear to me that the Wright Brothers started something that was bigger than themselves and probably what they could have ever imagined,” Newton said. “It was on that day in 1903, Dec. 17, when the magic really happened and the whole world stopped, just to understand what they were doing, and it’s still with us today.”

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein, who introduced Newton during the ceremony, thanked Newton for his service and his ability to break barriers in the Air Force.

“You once said flying is in your blood,” Goldfein said. “I know each person here would agree that service, passion, and inspiring others are also in your DNA. Our Air Force and our nation are better today because of your leadership and unwavering dedication to airpower.”

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The Wright-Brothers trophy was created in 1948 and is presented annually to a “living American who has contributed significant public service of enduring value to aviation in the United States.” This year marked the 115th anniversary of the brothers’ first flight.

“The question I ask myself is, ‘How did a lad from the cotton fields of Richmond, South Carolina, find himself standing here on this stage and receiving a trophy like this?’ I pause and think about that, and the only answer that comes to my mind is that, ladies and gentlemen, only in America,” Newton said.

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