932nd Airlift Wing remembers World War II veterans

Commander of the 932nd Airlift Wing Operations Group, Col. Michael Maloney (standing), spoke to World War II veterans at the 388th Bomb Group reunion held in Fairview Heights, Ill., August 31, 2019. From left, crew members Tom McElherne, Jim Ragland, Jack Vann, Joe Hallam, and Chuck Neff gathered with family and friends to remember their service and those of former comrades who have passed on. The 388th BG was activated December 24, 1942 at Gowan Field just outside of Boise, Idaho. After going to England in the summer of 1943 and helping win the war there, they returned to Sioux Falls Army Air Field, SD and prepared to deploy to the Pacific. When the Pacific war ended, the group was inactivated on August 28, 1945. Maloney represented the Air Force Reserve and thanked each veteran before presenting them a 932nd Operations Group coin. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Stan Paregien)