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THE UNIT
George Von ArbGeorge Von Arb took the 571st Bomb Squadron to England, as
Commander, and brought the 390th Bomb Group home, as Commander. An outstanding leader, and
understanding commander, and fine, polished individual. George was with the 390th when it
was first activated, in February 1943. He was immediately selected as the Commander of the
571st. The brilliant history and heritage of the Squadron is traceable, to a large degree,
to the care, training and guidance that George Von Arb provided in the early days of the
organization.
Colonel Von Arb's military career dates back to the days that proceeded the War years. By
the time he was assigned to the 34th Bomb Group, at Geiger Field, October 1942, he had
acquired 1,794 flying hours in B-18s, B-24s and B-17s. His excellent training, experience,
accumulated flying hours and outstanding professional abilities served the United States
Air Force well for many years - until his retirement in 1965. Even after that George
continued o provide his talents towards the security of the United States; he worked with
the Goddard Space Flight Test Center (NASA) in Greenbelt, Maryland until 1980. Forty years
of unselfish service to the people of this great country.
As the Commander of the 571st Bomb Squadron and as the Air Executive (Deputy Commander) of
the 390th Bombardment Group, Colonel Von Arb led the Squadron, the Group, or the 13th
Combat wing on 38 missions. Some of these lead missions were to Regensburg, Stuttgart,
Bremen, Paris, Berlin, Romania, and Munich. While none of the combat missions in the 390th
were a "piece of cake," it is evident hat George was ever hesitant to take the
deeper penetrations.
As an insight into Colonel Von Arb's tremendous span of technical and professional
abilities, during his military assignments: (1) he interrogated Japanese prisoners of war,
collecting special items of information; (2) he supervised the maintenance and tender
loving care of war time fly-away kits in support of Strategic Air Command deployed
strategic bombers; (3) he was commander of one of the larger SAC bases; (4) he activated,
trained and commanded a Titan II missile wing, and (5) in 1960 he graduated, with
distinction, from the Joint Chiefs of Staff Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
Testimony of Colonel Von Arb's dedication, commitment and valor is the fact that he was
eligible to rotate to the United States, and receive and excellent assignment, months
before he returned the 390th to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He elected to remain with the
organization and personnel with whom he had commenced his combat tour. He was there from
the first to the last combat mission.