22nd BG, 64th Reunion

10/09/2013 22nd BG

22nd BG, 64th Reunion  Today, the WWII 22nd Bomb Group is holding their 64th reunion.  The veterans along with their families and friends meet to see old friends, meet new ones, and share their stories; great stories.  Last year, I had the honor of attending the reunion.  Unfortunately, this year I can not attend.  Hopefully, next year I’ll be able to make the trip.

On 8 Dec 1941, less than 18 hours after the first bombs dropped on Pearl Harbor, the 22nd BG took off in B-26 medium bombers from Langley field, VA headed for the west coast and, shortly after, to Australia.  My father was a crew chief on one of those B-26s in the 33rd squadron.  They were one of the first units to take offensive action against the enemy.  From from bases in northern Australia, they flew bomb missions without fighter escort against Japanese bases and shipping around New Guinea and the surrounding waters.  As the war continued, they island hooped toward Japan while also moving from B-26s to B-25s to B-24s; heavy bombers.