Travis leaders visit, honor WWII vet

Published March 13, 2015
By Tech. Sgt. James Hodgman
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Six officers from Travis Air Force Base, California, traveled to Walnut Creek March 7 to honor Retired Maj. John Thelen, 93, a World War II combat veteran and the last surviving member of the B-24 Liberator Bomber crew "Shoo Shoo Baby."

Thelen flew 50 combat missions during WWII and, thanks in part to his expertise, every member of his crew survived every mission they flew without injury, despite extreme weather, flak and heavy enemy fire.

Thelen earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and the Distinguished Unit Citation with one oak leaf cluster for displaying remarkable bravery in battle.

Today, he looks up from his bed wearing a B-24 hat and smiles. His eyes seem to light up like stars in the sky at what he sees; six officers ranging in rank from captain to colonel stand near his bed inside the Manor House Care Facility, Thelen's home since December 2014 due to a period of declining health.

"Sir it's great to meet you," said Col. Mark MacDonald, 615th Contingency Operations Support Group commander, as he shakes Thelen's hand.

"I wanted to talk to you because a chief that I work with, his grandfather flew P-38 escort missions during the Battle of Ploesti, so I think he was up there with you when you were flying all your missions. It's an honor to meet you."

Ploesti was a vast complex of oil refinery facilities located nearly 30 miles North of Bucharest, Romania. It supplied a large amount of the refined oil needed to keep the German war machine running.

It was a strategic target whose destruction, allied planners hoped, would deliver a severe blow to Germany's ability to carry on the war. Several missions were planned to bomb the oil complex. Thelen and the men on "Shoo-Shoo Baby" participated in five of them.

MacDonald showed Thelen a book documenting those missions, even pointing out bombing assignments for the groups who took part in the battles.

Lt. Col. Thad Middelton, 9th Aerial Refueling Squadron commander, shared his appreciation for Thelen's bravery and leadership.

"I read a little bit about your missions and it's amazing what you accomplished with your crew and how you led them and kept them safe," Middleton said. "It was truly amazing and inspiring. Thank you for that leadership."

"We are honored to be here, to see you and thank you for the history that you made," Middleton added.

One-by-one, each officer thanked Thelen for serving more than 20 years in the U.S. Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force. Several shared personal connections they had with Thelen through family members and colleagues.

Col. Stephanie Williams, 349th Operations Group commander, shared the story of her grandparents, who worked in factories during WWII building B-24 bombers.
"Maybe they built a plane that you flew. I thought you'd get a kick out of that," Williams told Thelen.

Thelen replied with "Maybe."

"Thank you for your service and everything you did for our country. I'm proud to meet you," Williams said.

During the visit, Thelen was presented with military challenge coins from the 349th Maintenance Group, 349th OG, 615th COSG and the 9th ARS. He was also presented with two unit patches.

"Presenting (Thelen) with my coin was a way of honoring him in a way that made it personal for him," said Col. Jeffrey Pickard, 349th MXG commander.

"It's because of the men and women of his generation, 'the Greatest Generation,' that our country is as strong and vibrant as it is. We can't express our gratitude enough," Pickard said.

Thelen entered active duty service with the U.S. Army Air Corps on April 12, 1943. He served in numerous specialties including pilot, communications officer and academic instructor. His assignments took him to Europe, Panama, California, Alabama and Illinois.

As he looked around the room, Thelen fought back tears.

"It was very nice for you fellas to give up your time to come and say hello," he said. "I'm so overcome with emotion."

After the visit, Thelen's daughter, Cheri Robinson, expressed her appreciation to the officers who honored her father.

"I can't think of a more loving, kind and gracious tribute, it really lifted his spirits," Robinson said. "He'll have this memory forever."

"I've never seen him so happy," said Jewel Thelen, John's wife. "All of this is so wonderful and gives him hope."