The 306th Bombardment Group, activated in March 1942,
became one of the pioneer units involved in the Air War in the European
Theatre. It was first over Germany, often without fighter escort, striking
targets deep into the heart of the Third Reich.
The B-17s of the 306th supported many campaign
offensives such as the Battle of the Bulge, the airborne assault across
the Rhine and destruction of the German Air Force and its supporting
industries. For its outstanding combat record, the 306th was awarded the
Distinguished Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster and six campaign
stars. The 306th Bombardment Group was inactivated in December 1946.
The 306th Bomb Group Reunion Association exists today
as a legacy to the past and the repository for memorabilia and records
which have been archived. The Associations' membership is comprised
of World War II Veterans who sponsor host and attend reunions on an
annual basis.
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A B-17G Flying Fortress
and a B-52H Stratofortress fly in a heritage flight formation on
Saturday, May 13 during the 2006 Defenders of Liberty Airshow at
Barksdale Air Force Base, La. These two aircraft represent 70 years
of "fortresses." It was the first time in 50 years that they flew
together in formation.
(U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Michael A. Kaplan)
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306TH BOMB GROUP ASSOCIATION OFFICERS (1999)
President, Robert Rockwell
Vice President, Roy Connolly
Secretary, Russell A.
Strong
Treasurer, Royce Hopkins
Director, Russell Houghton
Director, Jack Persac
Director, Susan O'Konski
Director, Jim Phelan
British
Representative Ralph Franklin
Past President, Dr. Herman Kaye
306th
BOMB GROUP 2007 REUNION
Dayton, Ohio
DATE: Sept. 12 thru Sept.
15, 2007
HOTEL:
Double Tree Hotel Downtown, 11 South
Ludlow St.
RESERVATIONS: 1-800-222-8733 or 1-937-461-4700
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
August 12, 2007
REUNION CONTACT:
Roy Connolly
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Veterans of the 306th
Bomb Group
1942 - 1945
Interested in Membership Should Contact:
Russell A. Strong
5323 Cheval Place
Charlotte, NC 28205
News Letter "306th ECHOES" Published
Quarterly & Mailed Free to Members
5323 Cheval Place Charlotte, NC 28205
For information on
veterens serving in the 306th BG during WWII contact: (TBD)
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306th
BOMB GROUP REUNION
Jim Strickland, 306th Bomb Wing (McCoy AFB) Reunion
Association member, attended the 306th Bomb Group reunion in San Diego, SEPTEMBER 5-10,
2000,
immediately before his own reunion in Colorado Springs. Jim talked to many World
War II veterans and enjoyed hearing how they recalled war stories and remembered
old friends and comrades from B-17 days in England. They were mostly in their
late seventies, eighties and nineties, most of them fit, a few in wheel chairs
or using canes, but all in good spirits and enjoying keeping alive the bonds
made during difficult times in the 40's. They told Jim that during the early
years of their reunions they would have over 900 members attend, while today
they have less than 200 members attend.
Jim’s short visit with members of the 306th BG caused him to better understand
the many questions we get from family members asking for information about their
loved ones lost during World War II. Our 306th BW history includes a short
narrative of the 306th BG flying combat missions over Germany from England and
sustaining horrendous losses. As people search military web sites like ours,
they often contact us for any information we have of a lost family member. We
have had some success providing information or getting them in contact with
306th BG members.
Jim believes the 306th Bomb Group Board deserves high
praise for their reunion activities. After talking with many of the 306th
Bomb Group members, Jim also believes Brokaw got it right, theirs' was the
"greatest generation."
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306th World War II
Publications
FIRST OVER GERMANY
A History Of The 306th Bombardment Group
by Russell A. Strong
"Often called one of the best WWII USAAF
UNIT Histories"
New Edition Now Available
Paperback, 328 pages + index, 100 pictures.
Order your copy today, while supply lasts, Send check for $35.00
to
Russell A. Strong, 5323 Cheval Place, Charlotte, NC 28205
Additional 306th World War
II Publications
Published materials now
available from the Group will help you follow the 306th through the
combat period, 1942 - 1945.
Combat Diaries of the 306th Squadrons:
Day-by-day diaries kept by intelligence officers, of the Squadrons'
combat activities. More than 150 pages, also including plane and
personnel rosters. Plastic bound.
Indexed Collection of 306th Echoes: The 306th Echoes
is a newspaper published quarterly by the 306th Bomb Group
Association. A new 800 page indexed collection
of 25 years of 306th Echoes is now available for the period 1975 - 2000. The publication is rich in photos, materials
and color pages from the Echoes.
Men of the 306th, on microfilm: A role of
16mm film duplicates the 306th card file of nearly 9,000 men,
including data extracted from varioius 306th records, and personal
data on some of the men. 1995 edition.
Mission Reports: Copies of official reports
on each mission flown, including Intelligence summaries, track
charts, formations and crew intelligence reports. Data from some
missions may be missing. Three missions for $5.00.
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|
Order Form
FIRST OVER GERMANY
by Russell A. Strong
New Edition Now Available
Paperback, 328 pages + index, 100 pictures.
Order your copy today, while supply lasts, Send check for $35.00
to
Russell A. Strong, 5323 Cheval Place, Charlotte, NC 28205
ADDITIONAL PUBLICATIONS
|
Publication |
Price (Each) |
Copy(ies) |
| 306th Echoes Collection,
1975 -2000: |
$55.00 |
______ |
|
367th BS Combat Diary: |
$20.00 |
______ |
| 368th BS Combat Diary: |
$20.00 |
______ |
| 369th BS Combat Diary: |
$20.00 |
______ |
| 423rd BS Combat Diary: |
$20.00 |
______ |
| Men of The 306th
(16mm film): |
$20.00 |
______ |
| Casey Jones Project (60
pages): |
$20.00 |
______ |
| Current Directory: |
$10.00 |
______ |
| Mission Reports: Three
for $5.00 |
$5.00 (3) |
______ |
Dates for Mission Reports: (1) _____________________
(2)
_____________________ (3) ________________________
Make check payable to
306th Bomb Group Association.
Prices include postage and handling.
Date _____/_____/_____
NAME
_________________________________________________
STREET________________________________________________
CITY, STATE, & ZIP______________________________________ |
You may print and fill out this
form to order.
Mail order form and check to:
Secretary
306th BG Association
5323 Cheval Place
Charlotte, NC 28205 |
|
306th BW (McCoy)
Reunion Organization. All rights reserved.
This page last updated:
28 Jul 2007
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