The pdf document which can be downloaded from the link above is the transcript of an oral history recorded on magnetic tape. At the time of the interview, Gen Byrd was over eighty years of age and his memory of some facts was limited. Nevertheless, It constitutes Gen Byrd's recollection of the early days of the Civil Air Patrol. Gen Byrd was involved in founding the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in September 1941 and during World War II Byrd commanded a CAP anti-submarine base at Beaumont, Texas. After the war, he was instrumental in incorporating CAP and having it designated as an Auxiliary of the Air Force. For his work with the Civil Air Patrol Gen Byrd was awarded the US Air Force's Air Force Scroll of Appreciation on 24 May 1963.