On June 10, 1945, Governor Darden received an unusual and distinguished honor: a commission as an honorary lieutenant in the famed Eighty‑Sixth Fighter‑Bomber Group, the hard‑hitting World War II aviation unit better known across the European Theater as “Lee’s Lieutenants.” The certificate was signed by the group’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel George T. Lee of Norwood, Massachusetts, a combat veteran whose record of 258 missions stood unmatched in the ETO.
The appointment was made on the recommendation of Lieutenant Colonel James K. Thomas of Charleston, West Virginia, who believed the Governor’s wartime service and continued support for the Air Corps made him a fitting addition to the group’s honorary ranks.
Governor Darden, himself a World War I Air Corps veteran, wrote to Colonel Lee expressing his gratitude. He noted that he was “pleased to be included in such a distinguished outfit,” adding that he had followed the Air Force’s achievements in Europe with “keen interest.” His own experience as an aviator, he said, gave him a deep appreciation for the “superb contribution” made by Lee’s command.
A Combat Record Few Could Match
Lee’s Lieutenants had flown their final mission on the morning of V‑E Day, concluding more than two years of continuous combat in the Mediterranean and European theaters. The group had served under both the Twelfth Air Force and the First Tactical Air Force, and at the time of the Governor’s commission was stationed at Gross Grau, Germany, awaiting redeployment as part of the Ninth Air Force.
Their combat statistics were staggering:
- 3,625 missions
- 28,550 sorties
- 1,114 locomotives destroyed
- 10,420 railroad cars destroyed
- 515 enemy aircraft destroyed
- 9,960 motor transport vehicles destroyed
- Plus uncounted bridges, ammunition dumps, barges, rail centers, and other strategic targets
The cost was high. Sixty‑one men were killed in action, and sixty‑one more were listed as missing. Enemy fire destroyed 200 aircraft and damaged 800 more — nearly all due to flak, the ever‑present danger of low‑level tactical operations.
The group’s original officers were authorized to wear seven battle stars, reflecting participation in the major campaigns of the European war.
A Norwood Officer at the Center of History
For Norwood, the story carried special pride. Lieutenant Colonel George T. Lee, the group’s commanding officer, had become one of the most accomplished combat leaders of the war. His leadership, courage, and relentless operational tempo earned his unit a reputation for precision, aggression, and effectiveness.
That he chose to honor Governor Darden — and that the Governor responded with such warmth — underscored the national respect earned by Lee and his men.
Boston Globe
Text and images may have been created, edited, colorized, or digitally restored using AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini. All content is reviewed for accuracy and historical integrity before publication by the Norwood Historical Society
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