Savannah Bench Dedication
By Ira Weinstein
Sept. 2006
Members of the 445th Bomb Group who participated in the Kassel Mission on Sept. 27, 1944, came to the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum in Pooler, Ga., on Sept. 27, 2006, to dedicate a memorial bench to all those who lost their lives on that mission. Also attending were friends and families of the 445th and the Kassel Mission Historical Society.
In the group were General Howard Kreidler of Hilton Head, S.C. The general was the squadron commander of the 701st Squadron at the time of the Kassel Mission, and had been Jimmy Stewart's roommate when Stewart was with the 445th. Also attending were Clarence Luhman of Blue Earth, Minn; Jack Knox of Boynton Beach, Fla.; Willard Warren of Babylon, N.Y.; Ray Lemons of Dallas, Texas; Chuck Graham of Fort Myers, Fla.; Sam Mastrogiacomo of Lexington, N.C.; Bill Mitchell of Lexington, N.C.; Bill Dewey of Auburn Hills, Mich.; and Ira Weinstein of Glencoe, Illinois.
Veterans at the 445th Bench Dedication: Ira Weinstein front, next to wreath
The day began with a sermon by Father Kavanaugh in the beautiful chapel that is part of the museum. The group then went out to the memorial garden to dedicate the bench. It was a heart warming ceremony, and a wreath was laid on the bench. The entire event was covered by the radio, newspapers and television and was in the papers and on local TV that night and the following day. A lovely luncheon and showing of the film "Pride of the Nation" was the windup to a most rewarding day.
Prior to the event, Bill and Linda Dewey arranged a meeting with the KMHS officers and the CEO and president of the 8th Air Force Museum and his staff. The Deweys stressed the importance of the 445th Bomb Group and the Kassel Mission itself, and argued that the group and mission should have an important place in the museum. The 445th is the only 8th Air Force bomb group that doesn't have a separate window and showing. Hopefully this meeting will have some effect on presenting our group and the Kassel Mission as an important event in the World War II air war.
Editor's note: Bill Mitchelll, who was Dewey's co-pilot after the Kassel Mission, spearheaded and organized this entire event.
 Veterans at the 445th Bench Dedication |  Courtesy Jennifer Reardon Photography |
  |  Pilot Bill Dewey with his Bombardier, Bill Mitchell |
