There is argueably, no one in the Retired Guardians Fraternal Association that can make the “Spotlight” shine any brighter than George Daniel. George was born May 3, 1913, in Annemanie, Alabama. and presently resides in Springfield Gardens, New York. He became a Transit Police Officer in 1955, retiring in 1975 with the rank of Lieutenant. George is a World War II veteran, serving from 1941 with the U.S. Army in France and Germany and was honorably discharged in 1946.

     Over the years George Daniel has garnered many academic and achievement awards and citations from organizations with which he has been affiliated. He has an Associate Degree in Police Science from CCNY, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College and is a graduate officer of the Air University, U.S. Air Force Extension Institute. George is fluent in Spanish. At our 2001 Christmas Party, he serenaded us in Italian, his latest language to conquer. As a member of the Transit Police he was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal. In 1997 George was named the “Man of the Year” by the RGFA and in 2001 he was honored by the NYC Transit Police Officers Foundation for his outstanding contributions to the Scholarship Fund.

     At an early age George became fascinated by aviation. After his family migrated to NYC in 1935, George began taking flying lessons and made his first solo flight in 1940! George eventually became a licensed commercial fixed wing and helicopter pilot. He was very active in the Civil Air Patrol, and executive manager and ground instructor for the Ida Van Smith Flight Clubs. George was an early member of the Airplane Owners and Pilots Association and a charter member of the Negro Airman International Inc., Stick and Rudder Club & the Black Airmen International Flying Inc.  

   George has been married to his wife Gladys for 52 of his 88 years. He remains active and would love to hear from you at GeoDaniel@webtv.net.

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