JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of Air Education and Training Command, spoke to a group of Medal of Honor and Service Cross recipients during the Legion of Valor of San Antonio Chapter’s luncheon at the Parr Club at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph April 12.
Founded in 1890, the Legion of Valor is the nation’s oldest Veteran Service Organization, chartered by Congress, to recognize achievements of extraordinary heroism in combat.
“The term hero gets tossed around often, but this is truly a room full of heroes,” Webb said. “You may not hear it every day, but if you’ve ever wondered if the Air Force still talks about, and treasures, the legacy of its veterans, the answer is yes. To the former service members, spouses, sons and daughters that are attached to this organization, we are forever indebted to you.”
After two years of no in-person meetings because of the COVID pandemic, the chapter’s president retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Don Mason and Webb took the opportunity to recognize one of the organization’s honorary members, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Dale Eppinger.
Eppinger was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1969 for his extraordinary heroism in military operations as a UH-1P helicopter pilot from the 20th Special Operations Squadron during the Vietnam War.
“I still have the picture of when my father received the Air Force Cross—it’s been a big part of his military career and our family history, and it means a lot to my father to be associated with these gentlemen,” said Eppinger’s son, Bruce Eppinger. “It’s amazing to witness the bond that these recipients have with one another.”
Included in the attendees were:
- Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Paul Hester
- Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady, (Medal of Honor)
- Retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral David Robinson, (Navy Cross)
- Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. James R. McCarthy, (Air Force Cross)
- Retired U.S. Army Col. George Burrow, (Distinguished Service Cross)
- Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Dale Eppinger, (Air Force Cross)
- Retired U.S. Army Col. Keyes Hudson, (Distinguished Service Cross)
- Retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Donald Mason, (Navy Cross)
- Chief Master Sergeant Robert Gutierrez, (Air Force Cross)
- Janice Brazil, daughter of posthumous Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Army Master Sgt. Charles Hosking
“It means the world to the members of the Legion of Valor to be united once again, and to have Lt. Gen. Webb join us in embracing the true meaning and importance of our organization,” said Mason, president of the local Legion of Valor chapter and Navy Cross recipient.
With only 350 active members across the United States, the organization’s goal is to share their stories from combat and attract new members, who would also share their perspectives, so that today’s and future generations and historians can learn more about the service members behind the deeds captured in their short citations.
For more information on the Legion of Valor, visit https://legionofvalor.org/.