In 1955, NATO deployments placed 405th Group in the forefront of free-world defense; in 1956 came the update to North American F-100 fighters. Three officers headed the 405th : In 1943 Colonel. Jim Ferguson (Later General Ferguson) originated Command at Walterboro, S.C. and into WW-II at Christchurch, England. In 1944 Colonel. Robert Delashaw (Later Major General Delashaw) took Command for the Normandy Invasion; and again in 1952 at Godman, KY. In 1953 Colonel. Donald Baccus, a WW-II Fighter ACE, initiated Command at Langley, serving until 1955. Today we're privileged with the presence of each of our generational members: WW-II; the reactivation at Godman, and at Langley; in South East Asia; the UK; and at Aviano, Italy. .... For a pictorial record, I ask our members to step forward in following order:

The 405th Group Commander of WW-II, Normandy, France, and Godman, KY., Maj. General Bob Delashaw., Would you come forward?

Two of the first pilots at Godman and Langley Field : Mr. John Corley of 510th & 509th Squadrons and Mr. Joe Williams of the 510th Squadron. Would you gentlemen step forward?

Langley’s Mr. John Frederickson, of the 509th Squadron, and Mr. Bob Boyden and Mr. Tom Shotke of the 511th, would you gentlemen step forward?

From Langley Aircraft Maintenance, MSGT (Ret). Mr. Emmet Hayes, 510th CC Col. Bob Scott’s Crew Chief; and MSGT (Ret), Mr. Boyd Williams, Aircraft Maintenance & restorer of the Museum F-84F., would you gentlemen step forward?

The rest of our Langley Group come forward.

Would our first generation of WW-II group, step forward. Our South East Asia Group step forward. The United Kingdom & Aviano Group step forward.

Gentlemen, and Ladies, Congratulations! Thank You all for attending. You’ve established a worthy remembrance.