In Memory of Col. John Moriarty

The 328th Air Refueling Squadron at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York, traces its lineage back to World War II as the 3rd Combat Cargo Squadron who flew "The Hump" in C-47s across the China-Burma-India Theater. Col. John Moriarty, who recently passed away, founded the 3 C.C.Sq. on April 15, 1944. A heritage since forgotten, Moriarty's legacy was rediscovered decades later by the 328 ARS's former chief flight engineer, David Tarnowski, and former squadron commander, Walter Gordon who've since stayed in touch with Moriarty and the surviving members of the 3 C.C.Sq. Since their reunion, the 328 ARS held several events to keep the 3 C.C.Sq. memory alive in the 328 ARS. Most notably, the squadron erected Tonto, a C-47 static display with the 3 C.C.Sq. “Lucky Third” horseshoe tail flash which now sits in the Col. John Moriarty airpark at NFARS. This documentary video serves as a reminder of Moriarty's legacy and the importance of knowing one's history to honor the expectations and values set before them. (U.S. Air Force video by Senior Airmen Kelsey Martinez)

In Memory of Col. John Moriarty

Published Sept. 24, 2021
By Senior Airman Kelsey Martinez
914th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --

The 328th Air Refueling Squadron at Niagara Falls ARS traces its lineage back to World War II as the 3rd Combat Cargo Squadron who flew "The Hump" in C-47s across the China-Burma-India Theater. Col. John Moriarty, who recently passed away, founded the 3 C.C.Sq. on April 15, 1944. A heritage since forgotten, Moriarty's legacy was rediscovered decades later by the 328 ARS's former chief flight engineer, David Tarnowski, and former squadron commander, Walter Gordon who've since stayed in touch with Moriarty and the surviving members of the 3 C.C.Sq. Since their reunion, the 328 ARS held several events to keep the 3 C.C.Sq. memory alive in the 328 ARS. Most notably, the squadron erected Tonto, a C-47 static display with the 3 C.C.Sq. “Lucky Third” horseshoe tail flash which now sits in the Col. John Moriarty airpark at NFARS. This documentary video serves as a reminder of Moriarty's legacy and the importance of knowing one's history to honor the expectations and values set before them.