Photo By Douglas Hays | The sign to Grissom Air Force Base was changed in 1968 following the renaming of the...... read more read more
Grissom celebrates its Golden Anniversary May 12 marking its 50th Anniversary renaming of the base from Bunker Hill Air Force Base to what was Grissom Air Force Base.
The Hoosier base was renamed on May 12, 1968 after Lt. Col. Virgil ‘Gus’ Grissom, a native of Mitchell, Indiana.
Grissom flew 190 combat missions in Korea before becoming one of the first Mercury astronauts.
He completed two successful space missions before being killed on Jan. 27, 1967 while training for an Apollo mission at Cape Kennedy, Florida.
The Air Force wanted to honor the legacy of Grissom and chose to rename the state’s active base after the state’s native son.
Thomas Nielsen was the assistant Secretary of the Air Force in 1968 and presided over the ceremony to change the name.
“We are changing the name from Bunker Hill not to pay less tribute to a famous revolutionary battle ground, but to pay tribute to a 20th century pioneer in space exploration,” he said during his remarks.
The ceremony was held as part of an open house that drew an estimated 48,000 people and featured the Air Force Thunderbirds flying F100C Super Sabres.
Also in attendance were Grissom’s widow Betty and their two sons Mark and Scott.
"Our family is honored that the Air Force, its military service members and the great people of Indiana continue to fight for freedom, and that my father's name is proudly embossed on your letterhead," Scott
Grissom said during a rededication ceremony held at the base in 2013.
Grissom’s name and likeness doesn’t end at the gate marquee. The auditorium in Bldg. 663 is named Gus Grissom Hall and adorns historical photos of the base namesake.
In addition, under the flag pole near the headquarters building is a bronze plaque that pays tribute to the colonel.
“It’s important for all us to remember our history and legacy,” said Col. Larry Shaw, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander. “Not only the Air Force history, but Colonel Grissom’s as well.”
The base originally opened July 1, 1942 as Bunker Hill Naval Air Station.
Following World War II, the Navy moved out and the Air Force reopened the base in June 1954.
“The Air Force saw value then and continues to see value in the base today,” Shaw said.
With an economic impact of $120.6 million, the base is one of the largest employers in the area.
“We bring a lot to the table,” Shaw said. “But we got here by the sacrifices of those pioneers like Colonel Grissom that came before us, and we continue to honor them by the way we conduct business.”
The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. The Citizen Airmen from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.
Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.02.2019 09:42 |
| Story ID: | 325029 |
| Location: | GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, IN, US |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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