98th VETERANS ASSOCIATION:  1949 - PRESENT

In 1949 Colonel Salvator Manzo, a former commander of the 98th Bomb Group during World War II, began collecting names and contacting former members of the 98th.  His thoughts were to organize all interested personnel to honor the memory of the 98th with the goal of writing the history of the group.  At the time, Col. Manzo was assigned to the 92nd Bomb Group at Spokane AFB, Washington.  Ironically at the time, the 98th was also stationed  at Spokane AFB.

In 1950 a group of 98th Veterans met in Boston to try to form an association.  Unfortunately it was not very successful and they met again in 1951 in New York without any further success.

They did not meet again until 1968 when they met with the 91st Bomb Group Association at Denver, Colorado to learn the details of forming an association and formatting a charter.  1968 Charter members were: Edwin J. Albus, Eldred Chance, John A. Fornwalt, Robert G. Howard, Frank Pintabone, Rudolph Schmeichel, Kenneth Scroggins, John Slothower, E. Ray Stulting, Harry J. Baker, Davis C. Cochran, A.V. Freeman, Royden Labrecht, Floyd Pleasant, Lawernce Scholl, Ernest M. Sharman, Oscar C. Stone, and Norman R. Thomas.

About 1976, Jim King of the 98th Bomb Group B-29s, formed the "98th Bomb Group Memorial Veterans Association."  This group met on a few occasions, however Jim had medical problems which hampered his tremendous efforts to expand and keep his dream rolling.  Jim King passed on in 1978.  Without Jim's influence and leadership, the "Memorial Association" faltered.  However, by this time the 98th Bomb Group Veterans Association had become known to the B-29ers and B-47 (Cold War) veterans.  About 1979 or 1980, the B-29 veterans were accepted as members.   In 1982, the B-47 Veterans were also invited to join, and the association expanded greatly.  At the Chattanooga reunion in 1996, Herb Harper proposed that the association accept relatives of 98th members as "Associate" members.  The motion was voted on and accepted.  Since then, the association accepts seriously  interested individuals who show a sincere interest in the history of the 98th.  We also try to honor ALL spouses of 98th deceased veterans with and "HONORARY MEMBERSHIP".  We welcome you and encourage you to join us at our annual reunions.

We ask and encourage ALL our members to make suggestions on improving our association.

Herb Harper, Historian

Main 98th Website