Olen Medley, 8/22/1922 - 4/23/21
This is how history is remembered by Nanette Medley and Nancy Medley Manduano, Olen Medley's twin daughters.
Our dad's active duty was North Africa, Sicily and Italy as a P-38 crew chief. He was transported to Europe aboard the Queen Mary. While on this passage she collided with and sank a British ship. A documentary was made of this catastrophe entitled: Disasters at Sea: National Geographic. featuring our dad Olen. He was later interviewed for another documentary covering this event: World's Deadliest Wrecks: Collisions at Sea.
There are many more stories we could tell like our historic reunion at St. Louis, hosted by Charlie Pinson, the first reunion we attended. We both sat in F-15's and we played pass the pigs with active duty AF. Then there was a reunion in Panama City, Florida at Tyndall Air Force Base.
The 95th Squadron was formed here in World War II. Our dad was the last surviving member. We were taken to the Officer's Club. This is where and when we fell in love with the 82nd Fighter Group as we sang their fight song, "Bad to the Bone", at the top of our lungs as we drank from the shell casings that were carried by the P-38's, after all, it was appropriate to shout, "death with finesse". We both feel the same love and camaraderie for the group! Our dad was the only veteran that made it to every single reunion, then his wings folded on April, 23, 2021. Our dad loved the 82nd Fighter Group as family, even after all those years. We have made precious memories with our dad and his military buddies every year. Our dad will be missed more than we can express.
Thank you for your memories 82nd Fighter Group!!!
Our dad's active duty was North Africa, Sicily and Italy as a P-38 crew chief. He was transported to Europe aboard the Queen Mary. While on this passage she collided with and sank a British ship. A documentary was made of this catastrophe entitled: Disasters at Sea: National Geographic. featuring our dad Olen. He was later interviewed for another documentary covering this event: World's Deadliest Wrecks: Collisions at Sea.
There are many more stories we could tell like our historic reunion at St. Louis, hosted by Charlie Pinson, the first reunion we attended. We both sat in F-15's and we played pass the pigs with active duty AF. Then there was a reunion in Panama City, Florida at Tyndall Air Force Base.
The 95th Squadron was formed here in World War II. Our dad was the last surviving member. We were taken to the Officer's Club. This is where and when we fell in love with the 82nd Fighter Group as we sang their fight song, "Bad to the Bone", at the top of our lungs as we drank from the shell casings that were carried by the P-38's, after all, it was appropriate to shout, "death with finesse". We both feel the same love and camaraderie for the group! Our dad was the only veteran that made it to every single reunion, then his wings folded on April, 23, 2021. Our dad loved the 82nd Fighter Group as family, even after all those years. We have made precious memories with our dad and his military buddies every year. Our dad will be missed more than we can express.
Thank you for your memories 82nd Fighter Group!!!
