Ploesti Raiders to commemorate actions on Barksdale

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Samuel O'Brien
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Team Barksdale will host a heroic group of World War II heroes here the week of Oct. 21. In 1943, the Ploesti Raiders set out to destroy oil refineries around Ploesti, Romania, in hopes of cutting fuel supplies to the Axis powers during the war. Today their lives are a little less dangerous.

"It's a lot of guys sitting around telling each other war stories," said retired Col. Bill Seals, 98th Bomb Group/Wing Veterans Association president. "We'll take a tour and spend a day on the base. We also have a whole day devoted to talking about the Ploesti Raiders, so all the guys will have a chance to tell us their story."

The visit will offer a chance for Barksdale members to ask questions and chat with the raiders. On Oct. 21 the Raiders will attend a banquet in their honor, with special guests including Lt. Gen. James Kowalski, Commander of Air Force Global Strike, as well as many other active and retired senior officers.

The reunion marks a chance for the WWII heroes to reminisce about the missions and share stories with those who might be unfamiliar with the Ploesti raids. It's also a chance for the Raiders to see some friends they may not have seen in a while.

"They're World War II veterans," said Dennis Posey, 98th Bomb Group/Wing Veterans Association reunion coordinator. "It's important for them to get together while they still can. What if tomorrow never comes?"

While the event marks a chance for many to reconnect with former squadron mates, it's also an opportunity for some to see friends made during previous reunions. Retired Tech. Sgt. Bob Rans is the last member of the group that made the first Ploesti run, a low-altitude attack that resulted in the capture of Rans and 209 other Raiders.

"I can expect to see friends I've made at all the reunions, but I'm the last of my crew," said Rans. "I won't see anyone I served with."

Rans spent four months in a Romanian hospital before he was a moved to a prison camp. He was under enemy control for 15 months. During that time, several more raids were carried out as part of a Ploesti operation that included over 30 missions.

The Ploesti Raiders earned the most decorations in any single wartime assault.. Everyone who flew received a Distinguished Service Cross and five Medals of Honor were awarded, a record for any single assault.

"It doesn't matter which mission you flew," said Rans. "The experience we went through changed all of our lives. It's something we went through together. We saw it all. It's important to not forget these things. That's why we're having this reunion."