Woodmen of the World to Honor WWII 352nd Fighter Group
Atlanta, Ga. – Members of the 352nd Fighter Group, “The Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney,” one of the most highly decorated USAAF Fighter Groups in WWII, are gathering to receive Woodmen of the World’s “Military Award of Merit” this Saturday, April 16, at the downtown Atlanta Hyatt Regency hotel in front of an estimated crowd of over 700 attendees.
Accepting the award on behalf of the 352nd Fighter Group are pilot aces Lt. Robert “Punchy” Powell (RET) of Atlanta, Ga.and Lt. Col. Donald Bryan (RET) of Adele, Ga.The Pentagon has declared the presentation an official U. S. Air Force event and will send two representatives from Washington to present the award; Lt. Gen. Christopher D. Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, and Col. Stephen Hicks (RET), Director, Executive Services, Headquarters U.S. Air Force and former Commander of the 192nd Fighter Wing, legacy of the 352nd Fighter Group.
Of the award, North Georgia Woodmen of the World State Manager Pat Frappampina said, “We stand honored as an organization and as a nation to never forget the gallantry of our military, willing to stand in harm’s way for the rights and protection of this country. This award represents our pledge to honor our service men and women in the battlefields, the skies and the seas of not only World War II, but also those who fought before and since, and continue to fight for freedom. We are honored and humbled to present the first Woodmen of the World Military Award of Merit to the 352nd Fighter Group.”
Woodmen of the World was founded in 1890 as a fraternal benefit organization. Today, Woodmen of the World offers insurance, annuities, mutual funds*, and 529 College Savings Plans*. Nearly 725,000 Woodmen of the World members across the country share a commitment to family, community and country. To learn more about Woodmen of the World, visit woodmen.org.