317th Veterans Group
The 317th Veterans Group expertly epitomizes the selfless dedication, loyalty, commitment, and duty of the late Bob Hope by its outstanding support of the 317th Airlift Group and the 41st Airlift Squadron. Although now assigned to the 463d Airlift Group, the 41 AS was assigned to the 317 AG for its first 50 years, and the Airmen of the 317 AG and the 41 AS are reminded of their proud legacy by their interaction with the 317th Veterans Group.
The 317th Veterans Group promotes interaction between the veterans and the active duty Airmen of the 317 AG and the 41 AS. When the current Airmen meet with the veterans, they learn much about their history and the tradition of honor associated with the 317 AG and the 41 AS. All agree that while the times may have changed, the mission of the Air Force to defend and serve remains the same.
As an example of the Veterans Group’s selfless dedication, look no farther than the recent repatriation of a World War II C-47 crew. In December 1944, a C-47 of the 41st Troop Carrier Squadron went missing. The aircraft wreckage was discovered many years later and the remains of the crew were removed. After the remains were identified, the Veterans Group was able to put the families in contact with veterans who knew their fathers and husbands. At the internment of the pilot on Veterans Day, his wingman from that fateful day gave the eulogy and read a letter from the Commander of the 41 AS, who had also sent a wreath from the Airmen of the 41 AS. The internment was covered on national news, and officers of the Veterans Group attended several ceremonies at Arlington National Ceremony for the other crew members.
To reward the veteran’s loyalty, the 41 AS put on a ceremony of full military honors for the WWII veterans of the 317th Jungle Skippers. The ceremony was held at Pope AFB in front of a Jungle Skippers C-47. The WWII veterans present for the ceremony had not stood so tall in many years. Veterans received a briefing on current 41 AS operations and the veterans engaged the Airmen every step of the way. The banquet was named Christmas in September, because the following week the squadron deployed and would not be home for the holidays. The majority of the squadron celebrated with the veterans and representatives from the 39 AS and 40AS. Veterans exchanged email addresses with the deployers, and regular emails boosted the morale of the deployed warriors.
The Veterans Group’s commitment to its heritage is shown by its close ties with the French Air Force. The 317 AG was stationed at Evreux AB, France from 1957 to 1967. During the July 2007 reunion, the 317 AG sent a C-130, and its return to the base after 40 years was given widespread press. The veterans met the US Ambassador to France and the French AF Chief of Staff.
Also, the 317th Veterans Group was instrumental in bringing attention to a long-neglected group of WWII veterans, who were presented the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal with the Bronze Service Star at Scott AFB earlier this year. General H. T. Johnson, former Commander of the Air Mobility Command, Lieutenant General Chris Kelly, Vice Commander of AMC and Colonel Kevin Jackson, Commander of the 317 AG, presided over the medal ceremony and gave these proud warriors the recognition they deserved.
After the Medal Award Ceremony, the veterans were invited to meet with the crew and tour the new aircraft of the 41 AS. Members of the 41 AS, recently relocated from Pope, were proud to show the veterans the unit’s new C-130J, and the veterans were understandably impressed by the strengths of America’s newest transport aircraft. Many of the veterans touring the aircraft served in the 41st during WWII and both generations were in awe of each other.
In short, the 317th Veteran’s Group is an outstanding organization, fully devoted to its own members and their active-duty counterparts. These veterans have made a lasting contribution to the morale and welfare of the 41st Airlift Squadron and the 317th Airlift Group.