Heritage Highlight: Recent Episodes
Travis Workman
479th Flying Training Group's "Heritage Highlight" explores the history of the hero's and heroines that paved the way for current and future generations of Airmen.
Brief overview of the significance of the Khobar Memorial located within the 33 FW campus on Eglin AFB, Florida.
Espisode is a brief explanation of the Nomads participation in Desert Storm 1991.
References:
UNSCR.com
33d TFW HIST, Jan -Dec 1991
The airmen of the 33d Fighter Group enter combat operations during WWII 8 November 1942. Participating in the largest amphibous assualt to date: Operation TORCH
33 FW Brief history is a foundational epsisode. The 33d, the "Nomads", history spans a period of over 70 years. Warning: The episode may seem a bit boring...for the most part due to the narrator; however, it provides a foundation for future podcasts and further understanding of the wing from its beginning to that of the modern day.
Highlight describes the 479th Fighter Group’s earning the Distinguished Unit Citation for participating in the largest Dog-Fight of World War II.
On 29 July 1944 Capt. Arthur "Art" Jeffrey made aviation history becoming the first pilot in the world to shoot down a rocket propelled aircraft. Art went on to become the 479th's top fighter Ace with 14 scores to his name and the recipient of the Silver Star for heroism in combat.
Lt. Erwin Bleckley epitomized what it means to place one’s service before self. His skill and effort meant a cut-off and “lost” division of U.S. troops were found before being overrun by the enemy. Lt. Bleckley earned the nation’s highest honor, the Medal of Honor for his efforts on 6 October 1918.
On the morning of 10 August 1944, Lt Col Kyle Riddle, the Commander of the 479th Fighter Group, was leading his pilots on a strafing mission targeting marshaling yards in an area located about 40 km northeast of Paris. His P-38 was hit by enemy fire; Lt Col Riddle was forced to crash land. Surviving the landing, he successfully evaded being captured by the Germans through the aid of the French resistance.
On 23 June 1944, B-17 Bombardier, Lt. David Kingsley earned the nation’s highest honor bestowed on a military member, the Medal of Honor, by sacrificing his life for others.
This episode highlights the Air Force airman that holds the longest successful evasion behind enemy lines during the Vietnam War: Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) Capt. Roger C. Locher.
A brief overview of Lt Col Iceal Hambleton, BAT21, and his heroic evasion from the enemy.
Remembering the crew of "Spirit 03" from the Battle of Khafji, Desert Storm, 31 January 1991.
Lt Col James H. Howard, first and only fighter pilot of the U.S. Army Air Forces to be awarded Medal of Honor. Graduated flight school at NAS Pensacola, flew with AVG#1, "Flying Tigers" and recipient of Medal of Honor, WWII.
Episode #3 describes the day Col. Hubert Zemke becomes a Prisoner of War in WWII and his ultimate liberation.
References used in the episode include the following:
Fairfield, Terry A. The 479th Fighter Group in World War II; In action over Europe with the P-38 and P-51. Schiffer Military History, 2004.
Maurer Maurer, ed. Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Office of Air Force History, Washington D.C., 1983.
Stanaway, John. 479th Fighter Group, “Riddles Raiders”. Osprey Publishing, 2009.
Greetings 479 FTG!
This week's Heritage Highlight podcast explores Airman Hall of Fame member T/Sgt Henry Glades and his actions during World War II as a Bombardier for the 451st Bomb Squadron on board the B-26 Marauder.