"He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives–in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men."
Franklin Roosevelt
Benjamin Hartley was a serviceman who was stationed with the 510th during WWII. The letters were mostly written to his immediate family back home, and cover the span from basic training to war. The association acquired this incredible set of stories from ebay when family members were cleaning out the attic. Each letter is transcribed by hand, and posted to the website for all to read.
View items...At the heart of all good theater is a great story. And "Ponder Anew: A WWII Warrior's Story" certainly fits that description — thanks to the considerable talents of esteemed artists (and husband-and-wife team) Robert Kiefer and Carol Ponder.
An engaging example of reader's theater, the play is based on the memoir of Ponder's father, Lt. Herschel D. Ponder, a fighter pilot who flew P-47 Thunderbolts in Europe. As part of the 510th Fighter Squadron of the 405th Fighter Group, Ponder provided close air support to troops at the front, often seeking out "targets of opportunity" behind enemy lines.
P-47 Pilot Lt. Robert Griffiths joined the 510th Fighter Squadron in August of 1944. He flew his first missions helping pave the way for US troops to gain ground in Europe. By the time he was flying, the Luftwaffe was virtually wiped out. He longed for air to air combat, but it didn't look like he was going to see much.
With purple spotting smoke behind them, the Buzzards of Bien Hoa show the world what makes us the Worlds most Combat capabile fighter squadron! F-100s flying and maintenance making jets fly, this video embrases the true meaning of "Buzzard Standard".
Hans-Ulrich Rudel (2 July 1916 – 18 December 1982) was a Stuka dive-bomber pilot during World War II. The most highly decorated German serviceman of the war, Rudel was one of only 27 military men to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, and the only person to be awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, Germany's highest military decoration.
During the 2007 510th Fighter Squadron Association reunion at Hampton Virginia, the 510th hired a camera crew to capture the memories of various members. Here is a compilation of WWII P-47 Fighter Ace Charlie Mohrle, who recounts numerous stories about the P-47 and his time in the European Theater during WWII.
P-47 Gun footage of the 510th Fighter Squadron during WWII. There are numerous targets to include trains, tanks, and automobiles.
Here is a Post-War silent film production regarding WII. The film is based around Japan's role causing the USA to take action.
Jenkins' Jerry Junker Pilots talk about what it means to be a Buzzard. Various pilots were interviewed for this video during a reunion.
Here is a Video Montage of WWII Photos and content arranged to music by CMSgt Michael Barrowman. The video shows the start-up of the 510th through WWII.
WWII P-47 video based on the Allied campaign in France.
Presented to honor the 377th Squadron Combat Pilots, 372nd Group Army Air Corps, who were based in Etaine, France.