Mar/Apr 2013 - Korean War Veterans Association
Mar/Apr 2013 - Korean War Veterans Association
Mar/Apr 2013 - Korean War Veterans Association
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Down Memory Lane With the 68th FIS<br />
The 68th Fighter Interceptor Squadron<br />
was the first unit to down an enemy<br />
aircraft in the <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong>. Members<br />
attended several reunions after the war,<br />
although they no longer hold formal gatherings.<br />
The 68th, which saw its last combat duty<br />
in Iraq, was deactivated in 2001 at Moody<br />
Air Force Base, in Lowndes County, GA,<br />
near Valdosta.<br />
According to former member Stanley J.<br />
Grogan, “We had some pretty good athletes<br />
in the 17th Air Force, as the nearby photo<br />
suggests.” In fact, MajGen H. R. Spicer,<br />
17th Air Force Commander, presented 49th<br />
TFWg Commander Col Wilbur J. Grumbles<br />
with the 17th AF Commander’s Trophy at<br />
Spangdahlem, Germany, on July 8, 1961.<br />
Grogan noted that both Col Grumbles, a<br />
<strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong> combat veteran, and MajGen<br />
Spicer were prisoners of war during WWII.<br />
He also pointed out that his boxing teams<br />
won two Germany Sports District<br />
Championships, and his light heavyweight<br />
was selected to compete in the 1964<br />
Olympics.<br />
MajGen H. R. Spicer presents 17th Air Force Commander’s Trophy to Col. W. J. Grumbles, as<br />
team coaches and captains watch<br />
The 68th, which saw its last combat duty in Iraq, was deactivated<br />
in 2001 at Moody Air Force Base...<br />
24<br />
Attendees at the 68th FIS’s final reunion<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>ch - <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2013</strong><br />
The Graybeards
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