Namesake and History
Second Lieutenant Harry R. Armstrong, a Penn State Alumnus, was an Army Air Corps B-17 navigator for the 380th Bombardment Group, 570th Bombardment Squadron during World War II. During his last mission, on 2 February 1944, his aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters and heavily damaged by flak, forcing the crew to bail out over France. Upon discovering that his plane was short by one parachute, he ordered the remaining crewman to take the last parachute. Thus, Armstrong went down with his plane, sacrificing his life for a fellow serviceman. The Harry R. Armstrong Squadron has learned a great deal from its namesake's act of heroism. His caring attitude of putting others first and self second has become second nature for our squadron. As a result, the Harry R. Armstrong Squadron has become a major service organization, dedicated to improving its community, university, and detachment. For the community, the squadron annually organizes the largest POW/MIA awareness event in the area. In addition, the squadron runs programs with Second Mile Children. The programs include the annual Haunted House and various field days. The squadron also visits local nursing homes. As for the university, the squadron continuously hosts blood drives and actively participates in the nation's largest student run philanthropic event, the Penn State IFC/ Panhellenic Dance Marathon. Finally, the detachment benefits form the experience and leadership that Arnold Air Society members receive, as well as through programs like annual clothing sales, snack stand, and hay rides. These programs not only boost the detachment's pride, but builds a sense of unity, camaraderie, and esprit de corp. The squadron continues to project a positive and professional image by the hard work provided through the strength and dedication of its members. Over the years, the squadron has promoted the Society's mission to the utmost of their ability. Their strong and illustrious past is casting the mold for a bright future.
Headquarters
2003-2004 Area II Headquarters 2002-2003 Area II Headquarters 2000-2001 Area II Conclave Headquarters 1999-2000 Area II Headquarters 1998-1999 Area II Headquarters 1995-1996 Area II Headquarters 1993-1994 Area II Headquarters 1992-1993 Area II Headquarters 1990-1991 Area II Headquarters	1990 Area II Conclave Headquarters 1988-1989 National Headquarters 1987-1988 Area II Headquarters 1985 Tri-Area Conclave Headquarters (Areas II, III, IV) 1984-1985 Area II Headquarters 1975-1976 National Conclave Headquarters 1970-1971 Area E-1 Headquarters 1966-1967 Area E-1 Headquarters 1952-1953 Area B Headquarters
Awards Received
2006 Outstanding Squadron (Area II Month of September) 2003 Eagle Award (National) 2003 H.H. Arnold Saber (Best Area Commander Chris Uhland) 2003 Christopher D. Nichols Award- (National- Elizabeth Caskey) 2003 Arnold Air Letter Trophy- (National- Jennifer Hitchcock) 2003 Outstanding Squadron FM (Amber Wilson Area II) 2003 Outstanding Squadron DS (Kassandra Sears Area II) 2003 Outstanding Squadron IM (Elizabeth Caskey Area II) 2003 Outstanding Squadron Commander (Rachel Hubbard Area II) 2000 Maryland Cup (National) 2000 Eagle Trophy (National) 2000 Area Plaque (Area II) 2000 Col. George Robert Hall Freedom Cup (National) 2000 Squadron of the Month for February (Area II) 2000 Outstanding Area PA (Area II PA Brian Regan) (Area II) 2000 Outstanding Area Webmaster (Area II Webmaster Matthew Lukacs) (Area II) 2000 Outstanding Squadron Commander (Squadron Commander Michael Johnson) (Area II) 2000 Commander's Award (Squadron Commander Brian Nickola) (National) 2000 ASU Commander's Cup (Squadron Commander Michael Johnson) (National) 2000 NATCON Scholarship Winner (Tom Moriarty) 1999 Squadron of the Month for November (Area II) 1995 Commander's Award (AREA II CC Patrick Miller) (National) 1995 Outstanding Area CV (Area II CV Peter Bigley) (National)	1995 Outstanding Area FM (Area II FM Brent Grime) (National) 1995 Outstanding Area DT (Area II DT Jason Gingrich) (National) 1996 Outstanding Squadron-January 1996 (National) 1994 Outstanding Squadron Commander (Area II) 1993 Area Plaque Award (Area II) 1993 Outstanding Comptroller (National) 1993 Outstanding Candidate Program (Area II) 1993 Outstanding squadron Commander (Area II) 1993 Outstanding Squadron Advisor (Area II) 1992 Area Plaque Award (Area II) 1991 Outstanding Comptroller (National) 1991 Commander's Award (National) 1990 Outstanding Advisor (Area II) 1988 Outstanding Advisor (Area II) 1988 Outstanding Pledge Program (Area II) 1988 Col George Robert Hall Freedom Cup (National) 1987 Northeast Area POW/MIA Award (National) 1987 Outstanding Squadron (Area II) 1987 Outstanding Pledge Program (Area II) 1986 Christopher D. Nichols Award (National) 1986 POW/MIA Award (Area II) 1981 LeMay-Ohio Award (National) 1973 Eagle Award (National)