Kowalski presents coin to Ploesti Raider Tech. Sgt. Rans

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. – Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, presents a coin to Tech. Sgt. (ret) Robert "Bob" Rans during the 98th Bombardment Group reunion. The event honored World War II veterans who participated in the Ploesti Raids in Romania from 1943-1944. Rans was involved in the first bombing missions of Ploesti oil refineries to cut off fuel supplies to German enemy powers during the war. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Corey A. Clements)

Kowalski listens to Ploesti Raider Staff Sgt. Rosch's story

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. – Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, listens to World War II veteran Staff Sgt. Bernard L. "Bud" Rosch describe a bombing mission during the 98th Bombardment Group/Wing Veterans Association reunion. Rosch was a radio operator in the B-24 bomber for the Ploesti Raids in Romania from 1943-1944 and was honored during the reunion. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Corey A. Clements)

98th Bombardment Group Reunion: An evening with heroes

Published Oct. 25, 2011
By Lt. Col. Jeffrey Robinson
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Members of Air Force Global Strike Command honored the command's heritage Oct. 21 during the annual 98th Bombardment Group reunion recognizing the famed "Ploesti Raiders."

Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski, Air Force Global Strike Command commander, provided keynote remarks for the event, held at the Barksdale Club.

Kowalski reminded attendees the "importance of the Ploesti Raiders is not just what they did, but what they left behind," explaining that the Air Force's core values of "integrity-service-excellence" captures the commitment of today's Airmen to live up to the legacy of the Ploesti Raiders.

In the early morning hours of Aug. 1, 1943, 178 B-24 Liberator bombers with 1,751 Airmen took off from Benghazi, Libya, on a low-level bombing mission to strike Nazi-controlled oil refineries in Ploesti, Romania.

According to Air Force history, attacking the heavily guarded oil refineries meant certain losses, yet these courageous Airmen pressed ahead to accomplish their very difficult mission.

In all, 310 Airmen lost their lives, 108 became prisoners of war, and only 88 of the original 178 B-24s returned to base that day. Five Medals of Honor were awarded--the most for any single air action in history. Many more missions were flown over Ploesti, and the Allies eventually prevailed in shutting down the Nazi oil production.

Two of the Medals of Honor presented were also available for viewing at the event: the Medal presented posthumously to 1st Lt. Lloyd Hughes, who was killed in action, and the Medal presented to Col. John "Killer" Kane, who led the 98th Bombardment Group.

Several of the attending Raiders faced anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters during the raids. Tech. Sgt. Bob Rans' plane was shot down on the mission Aug. 1, 1943, and he was a prisoner of war in Romania for 13 months before he was liberated by the Russians and repatriated through Italy. Tech. Sgts. Louis Staudenmeier and Herk Streitburger were on later high-level missions that struck Ploesti from Italy. On their 50th mission, their plane was shot down and they also spent time as prisoners of war.

During the reunion, Kowalski highlighted the Raiders' influence in defining the Air Force's "Airmen's Creed," particularly the line, "I defend my country with my life."

Kowalski summed up the event with a famous line from Will Rogers, saying "We can't all be heroes, but some of us get to sit on the curb and clap."

Also in attendance at the event were 8th Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Stephen Wilson; 2nd Bomb Wing commander, Col. Timothy Fay; and representing the 307th Bomb Wing, Lt. Col. Dave Leedom, commander of the 93rd Bomb Squadron. The event was hosted by the 307th Bomb Wing.