Strategic Air Command 303rd Bomb Wing Plaque Awarded to the Wing Commander! 1954

Description

A Vintage Plaque with a Photo of the Presentation and other Related Paper Ephemera - Direct From the Family of Then-Colonel John K. Hester, Commander, 303rd Bomb Wing
For those of you who are into 1950's Air Force, particularly Strategic Air Command items and ephemera, you will recognize this item as something special!
This plaque was given to then-Colonel John K. Hester on September 27 1954. The 303rd Bombardment Wing, then under Hester's command, had taken delivery of B-47 Boeing Stratojets and Hester was instrumental in drilling the wing to prepare for the grueling readiness required by General Curtis Lemay (whom he had personally worked for during a previous assignment). Not only do we have the plaque and photo of Hester being awarded said plaque during a function, but we have additional ephemera relating to SAC and the 303rd Bomb Wing!
The plaque still displays well but has some water damage, effects of improper storage (and the realities of military moves!). Moisture has seeped underneath the clear acrylic cover and has caused the paint to bleed in spots. The photos gives a good indication of the damage to the plaque; however it must be noted that the moisture hasn't caused the Plaque to weaken or crack. Still very visually appealing! There also seems to be some residue on the brass placard with the engraved dedication and the wood backing seems to be solid and uncompromised. The original mounting wire is still sturdy.
Also included is a Kodachrome photo of Hester receiving the plaque with a date of September 27, 1954. Included in this lot is a pamphlet describing Strategic Air Command's mission et cetera. This pamphlet notes Thomas S. Power instead of Curtis Lemay as the Commander in Chief of SAC, so it was given to Hester well after he left the 303rd.
Within this lot is an issue of
The Desert Airman
from June 11, 1954 describing the return of Hester and a large complement of B-47's from a mission to England. As this is a rather complete issue, there are multiple articles with one about Hester's reassignment out of the 303rd and the bid for the location for the US Air Force Academy!
The last piece of ephemera included is a memorandum for all personnel in the 303rd Bomb Wing signed by then-Colonel Hester. The content explains the increased readiness required by due to Cold War tensions. Hester urges his men to do everything in their power to apply themselves to their jobs so they can meet the readiness levels asked of them. Keep in mind, this memo is dated 1953 which was the same year the 303rd took delivery of the brand new B-47 Stratojets!
Major General Hester's career began in 1938 and eventually took him to China where he flew 50 combat missions against the Japanese as a fighter pilot with the 14th Air Force, the famous "Flying Tigers." Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Air Medal as a Squadron Commander, Hester later served on Curtis LeMay's Air Staff and became the Commanding General of the 17th Air Force at Ramstein AFB, Germany. His promising career was cut short when he succumbed to injuries resulting from a military parachute jump in April 1965. To learn more about General Hester's remarkable career, click on the attached video! This artifact has been entrusted to Heritage Arsenal for consignment by the family of Major General John K. Hester and has not previously been resident in any collection or museum.
See the below video for more information on Maj Gen John K. Hester
Remembering Major General John K Hester -\"Flying Tiger\" Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient
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