Veterans, family members and friends of the 15th Air Force gathered in Tucson for a reunion over the weekend, honoring the so-called “Forgotten 15th” who played a decisive role in defeating Nazi Germany during World War II.
The U.S. Army Air Forces had several bomb groups that played crucial roles in strategic bombing campaigns including the 449th Bomb Group which has strong ties to Tucson.
The 449th was activated at what was then Davis-Monthan Field in May 1943. Forty years later, in November 1983, more than 200 veterans of the 449th returned to Tucson for their first reunion.
Now, they’re back in Tucson, with just one veteran from the 449th joining for the event.
“At this reunion here in Tucson, we have one attendee and about 10 from the 449th that were not able to attend,” said reunion attendee Rodney Miller.
Lynn Moran, whose father was a ball turret gunner on a B-24 of the 449th Bomb Group, keeps in touch with those ten members.
“I usually send them Halloween cards, birthday cards — all the holidays. I’ll send them a card just letting them know that they’re part of the group still,” Moran said. “We want them to know we remember them and we’re trying to preserve their legacy.”