The Four Horsemen
By Andy Anzanos

The most influential in the concept, design and construction of our 390th Memorial Museum, without a doubt in my mind, are four individuals whom I sometimes refer to as “The Four Horsemen,” pictured:

Joseph A. Moller, the master conceiver gifted with the dream, the contacts and the financial means to make the dream come true. Uncle Joe was also blessed with Dorothy, his wife, who shares, promotes and supports his endeavor even after Joe’s death in 1993.

Robert W Waltz, the spark plug who made things happen. Bob was gifted with the organizational skills including the ability to get numerous veterans to devote their time and donations to bring Joe’s dream to reality. Bob was supported by his wife Ellen. They both have departed us.

Albert Buehler, the workhorse in the membership and financial aspects of both organizations: the Museum Foundation and the Veterans Association, as well as supporting Bob Waltz in solving museum problems. His office was at his home where he devoted his extensive laboring times. Al was supported by his wife, Ella, who recently died and joined Al.

John Quinn, the initial research man brought to Arizona by Joe Moller to help build the museum utilizing his skills in finding veterans as well as developing the facility and initial display construction. John was also blessed with a very exceptional memory. Both John and his wife, Bea, currently reside in Monroe, NY.

In 1986 I accidentally discovered that my old bomb group had started a 390th museum. At the time of my discovery the concrete had been laid for the hangar, the B-17 was sitting out in the dirt and there was a temporary display in the completed Moller library/research building.

Being an engineer with the love of construction it didn’t take long for me to be actively engaged in the facility and its displays. It became readily evident who the driving forces, whom I now call “The Four Horsemen,” were.

After John Quinn was stricken with health and personal problems, I became Waltz’s favorite. Although Joe Moller did not come to the museum very often, Waltz would confide in me when he got chewed out by Joe and why. We would work to fix the problems. That left no doubt who the boss was.

The intent was that this museum, exclusive of the basic structure, would be built by the veterans. Waltz was very successful in getting veteran volunteers from all over the country to aid in this endeavor. John Quinn started the displays with construction of the photo stands. Rudy Cardenas, a 390th missile group veteran, did the paintings of the mission map in the Moller library and the large “Top Cover” mural. Essentially from then on with Bill Frostick, Walter Byrne and Dwayne Bennett’s aid, we continued toward the goal.

Bob Waltz, before taking ill, had two projects in mind: a diorama showing a typical formation and a nose art presentation. He obtained a commitment of funding from the Veterans Association for the diorama. It was unfortunate, with his untimely death, that he did not get to see the end results of either of those two dreams.

We all have a great museum and one of a kind that is highly praised by our visitors. It could not have happened to be such without our four horsemen starting and leading the way. Only one of them is still alive today, John Quinn, who unfortunately has been ill for some time.

I am proud to have served under such men with so much dedication, leadership, skills and foresight that was required in order to make a dream of this unique museum come true.