Institutional Award: Armed Forces Radio and Television Service on the Occasion of Its 50th Anniversary

For half a century, the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service has provided a full and free flow of news and information to American military, civilian and diplomatic personnel overseas. In addition, in many regions where United States forces are well-represented, AFRTS broadcasts have become an increasingly important means by which local citizens have become aware of our culture and economic system. From its humble radio beginnings early in World War II, today AFRTS broadcasts in more than 100 countries, through 35 land-based TV stations serving over 300 outlets, 180 “mini-TV” operations, 65 shipboard stations, and more than 400 radio outlets. Its staff has been shelled, bombed, strafed, wounded, captured or killed, in Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Lebanon, Panama and the Persian Gulf. Undaunted, AFRTS continues to provide a beam of light from home to Americans abroad. On the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary, a Peabody Award to the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.