A handful of the remaining members of one of the most well-regarded American military units from World War II recently held what they considered their final reunion.
The 406th Fighter Group had more than 1,100 in its ranks when it shipped out in April 1944, but only 20 survivors were on hand for the gathering in late April at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites.
Among the many topics discussed at the reunion was the desire to have the group's history put on display, a project that has been long in the works but appears finally close to completion.
"We are going to have a world-class display," Bob Campbell said of the 406th Permanent Display, which is scheduled to open next spring at the Pima Air and Space Museum, 6000 E. Valencia Road.
The estimated cost is about $100,000, Campbell said, with $70,000 of that having been donated by Maggy Grossetta, wife of the late A.V. Grossetta. Grossetta, who died in 2003, was the 406th's commanding officer and was born and raised in Tucson.
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"This seemed to be a logical place for it because he was held in such high regard by his men and by this town," said A.V. Grossetta's son Bruce, part of the fourth generation of Grossettas who have lived in Tucson since the family came from Croatia in 1880.
Campbell, 63, is the son of the late Robert L. Campbell, a pilot in the 406th who was shot down by German forces but survived the war. Bob Campbell said his father did not provide many details of his experience overseas, which partly prompted him to want to put together a visual history.
"Most dads didn't tell many stories when they came back; they just wanted to move on," Bob Campbell said. "But as you get on in life the second generation starts getting curious and starts asking questions."
The air museum is the home of the 406th's archives, which curators there have been cataloging for 18 months. Registrar John Bezosky says the roughly 60 boxes worth of artifacts and documents should provide a wealth of material for the exhibit.
"It is a pretty comprehensive collection," Bezosky said. "It ranges from lots of personal military-career documents to personal narratives and military commendations and awards."
Included in those boxes is a dress uniform worn by Bernie Sledzik, 83, a pilot in the 406th who lives in Maryland and attended last month's reunion.
"We've talked about it for a long time," Sledzik said. "I'm sure it will be very impressive."
Campbell said the permanent display — which will be housed in Hangar 3 at the museum, next to a B-24 Liberator bomber — will include two glass cases filled with artifacts, as well as video screens showing footage from World War II, with the entire exhibit resting underneath a faux hangar. The theme will be "A Day in the Life of the 406th."
Bruce Grossetta said that if his father had lived to see the 406th Permanent Display, he would be proud but reserved.
"Like most World War II vets, he was modest," Bruce said. "He'd respond to questions, but I don't think you'd find him out front boosting the event."
DID YOU KNOW
• The 406th Fighter Group, part of the 9th Air Force, flew P-47 Thunderbolts during World War II. Its primary role was to provide air support for the 3rd Army, which was led by Gen. George S. Patton. The 406th was involved in the storming of the beaches at Normandy and went on to receive two Presidential Unit Citations for its efforts during the Battle of the Bulge.
• The nose art from one of the 406th's P-47s was used on a stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service in 2005. The image was of the "Angie," which was one of three planes that the Franklin Mint made into die-cast models between 2001 and 2006
