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| The Collier Trophy was established in 1911 by Robert J. Collier, publisher and early President of the Aero Club of America. The trophy is administered by the National Aeronautic Association of the U.S.A. and is awarded annually for "the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year. |
| 1911 | Glenn H. Curtiss |
| 1912 | Glenn H. Curtiss |
| 1913 | Orville Wright |
| 1914 | Elmer A. Sperry |
| 1915 | W. Starling Burgess |
| 1916 | Elmer A. Sperry |
| 1917-1920 | No award presented |
| 1921 | Grover Loening |
| 1922 | Personnel of the United States Air Mail Service |
| 1923 | Personnel of the United States Air Mail Service |
| 1924 | The United States Army |
| 1925 | S. Albert Reed |
| 1926 | Maj. E. L. Hoffman |
| 1927 | Charles L. Lawrance |
| 1928 | Aeronautics Branch of the Department of Commerce |
| 1929 | National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics |
| 1930 | Harold Pitcairn and His Staff |
| 1931 | The Packard Motor Car Company |
| 1932 | Glenn L. Martin |
| 1948 | Charles E. Yeager |
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On March 31, 1931, President Hoover presented the Packard Motor Car Company the 1931 Robert J. Collier Trophy, America's highest aviation award, for its developement of the diesel engine. Alvan Macauley, President of the Packard Motor Car Company, accepted the trophy. "We do not claim, Mr. President, that we have reached the final developement, even though our diesel aircraft engine is an accomplished fact and we have the pioneer's joy of knowing that we have successfully accomplished what had never been done before...." The presentation of the Collier Trophy was only part of the post-endurance flight hub-bub. There were receptions, speeches and congratulations. The newspapers took pictures of Walter and Fred, as they were being greeted by their families when they returned to Detroit |
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| Walter Lees & Fred Brossy Accepting the Collier Trophy.. | ||
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| The Collier Trophy and the Packard-Diesel Engine.
Editor's Note: The introductory description of the Collier Trophy and the initial portion of the list of recipients to include the Packard Motor Car Company was taken from the Trophies and Awards at the National Air and Space Museum page of the National Air and Space Museum site, You may see the complete list of Collier Trophy recipients by clicking on "Collier Trophy." 
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