First Grandchild of WWII 303rd Bomb Group Visits Molesworth

  • Published
  • By Peter G. Park, Jr., Commander's Action Group
  • JIOCEUR Anlytic Center
ROYAL AIR FORCE MOLESWORTH, England --  Kelly Akens says that her grandfather mostly talked with her brothers about his war experiences flying in a B-17 Flying Fortress named "Sweet Rose O'Grady" at Molesworth "...since it was a boy thing."

The thirty-year-old Human Resource manager laughed as she noted that her brothers are now jealous of her visit to the base that "Pappy" (Sergeant Thomas I. Akens, U.S. Army Air Corps) flew from sixty-three years ago toward the end of World War II. Kelly is completing an assignment for her American company's British subsidiary near London before returning at the end of the year to a new position in her native state of Texas

The last WWII 303rd Bomb Group (Heavy) veteran visited this base in the English midlands well over a year ago.  And while several sons and daughters of those brave men who flew from this base have visited recently, Kelly gained the honor on November 7, 2008 of being the first 303rd Bomb Group veteran's grandchild to visit Molesworth on her own - a milestone commemorated in a specially designed certificate presented to her by the JIOCEUR Analytic Center's Deputy Commander, Navy Captain Henry J. "Harry" Babin.

Before visiting the base, Ms. Akens had read up on Sergeant Akens' record both from information provided by her grandmother and from reviewing the 303rd Bomb Group Association website.

Signing the guest book at the 303rd Bomb Group (Heavy) memorial at the entrance to the base, Ms. Akens noted her "first grandchild" status as she read the names and comments by previous visitors.  Walking in her grandfather's footsteps she toured photos and memorabilia from the war in the JAC buildings, visited one of the remaining hangars on the base, and stood where the entertainer Bob Hope presented a show to the airmen in 1943.  

The visit meant a lot to Ms. Akens. "My grandfather was the last remaining member of his flight crew when he passed away in January of this year at the age of 85. I was very happy to represent my entire family and honor Pappy's memory with a visit to a place that had a significant influence on his life. While the war was far tougher than he could ever describe to us, I know that he had fond memories of Molesworth."

303rd BG Veterans, their children, and grandchildren are always welcome at the base, which has operated continuously as an American base with the exception of a short period after WWII.