JAC Ceremony Honors World War II 303rd Bomb Group

  • Published
  • By Peter G. Park, JAC Commander's Action Group
  • JIOCEUR Analytic Center
ROYAL AIR FORCE MOLESWORTH, England --  
"There is nothing more important than remembering those who have gone before us." noted Chaplain (Capt.) Robert Monagle, USAF in the invocation at a ceremony at RAF Molesworth where the records of the 7,336 airmen of the 303rd Bomb Group (Heavy) who served at Molesworth 1942-1945 were officially placed in the archives of the JIOCEUR Analytic Center. 'Father Bob' continued: "May we never forget the sacrifice they made to keep the United Kingdom, and the United States free."

The compilation of records is the product of former B-17G Flying Fortress pilot, retired Lt. Col Edgar "Ed" Miller's 20-year quest to find and catalog the record of each of the aircrew and ground personnel who served at this base.

The JIOCEUR Analytic Center Commander, Marine Corps Colonel Peter H. Devlin hosted the ceremony and welcomed Ms. Suzanne Wilson, Lt. Col. Miller's daughter who lives in Deenethorpe, England and represented her father who at age 87 was unable to travel to the ceremony. Mr. Robin Beeby, U.K. representative of the 303rd Bomb Group also attended the ceremony.

Keeping the proud legacy of the 303rd BG alive in the minds of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and civilians that serve today at RAF Molesworth has always been an important mission for the JAC.

In his remarks, Col. Devlin compared the service of the members of the 303rd to the Roman legions that once roamed England. "Dotted throughout the countryside of Britain, along ancient roadways, are engraved stones - cenotaphs - that were placed by Roman legionnaires to mark the passage of one of their comrades. Typically, these Roman soldiers didn't die in battle, but served honorably for 25 years and then retired in the area of their last service. Yet their service was so important to their brothers-in-arms that they were determined that all who traveled through the area would see and know of their sacrifice. They had to be remembered. And so it is with the work of LtCol Ed Miller. In a sense, he has created a cenotaph for over 7300 men who served right here at RAF Molesworth. For 882 men, Molesworth was the last place that they ever trod the earth."

Speaking for her father, Ms. Suzanne Wilson said that her father had flown over 30 missions with 10 of them being over heavily defended Berlin. She also noted "how proud her father was to have all his comrades come 'home' to Molesworth, mission accomplished."  

A specially constructed display case will house the records in the Major General Lewis E. Lyle Conference Room at the JAC which honors the service of one of the 303rds wartime commanders.