New squadron award named after American heroes Published Jan. 23, 2012 By Ryan Hansen 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 55th Wing will announce its inaugural squadron of the year award winner Feb. 3. The first-time recipients will earn the Olmstead-McKone Trophy, named after retired Col. John McKone and retired Col. Bruce Olmstead, who in 1960 were the only survivors of a 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing assigned RB-47H that was shot down over the Barents Sea by a Soviet MiG-19. "I have to give credit to the team for the name of the award, it was great team idea," said Brig. Gen. Donald Bacon, 55th Wing commander. Bacon said he wanted to start the award to celebrate the teamwork and unit accomplishments of the wing's best squadron by also memorializing the sacrifices of past Fightin' Fifty-Fifth Airmen. "I can't think of two better people to name this trophy after than Colonel McKone and Colonel Olmstead - two true American heroes," Bacon said. "They emphasize our wing heritage, with links to the RB-47 and Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas, as well as the sensitive reconnaissance operations missions our wing executed during the Cold War." According to an Air Force fact sheet on the incident, only McKone, Olmstead and Maj. Willard Palm were able to successfully eject from the RB-47H after it was shot down. While Palm apparently died of exposure in the frigid water, McKone and Olmstead were able to climb into their lifeboats and after more than six hours at sea, they were picked up by a Soviet fishing vessel. The two were sent to a prison in Moscow and held in separate cells while undergoing questioning. While McKone and Olmstead were never tortured, they were interrogated at length nearly every day during their captivity. Their story became national news and after almost seven months as prisoners, McKone and Olmstead were finally released to the United States. Throughout the whole ordeal, the Airmen resisted all attempts by the Soviets to give a confession or to admit to any wrongdoing. "The resilience they showed by not only surviving the ejection and the frigid waters, but also by how they continued to serve with honor after being held by the Soviets, are examples we can all learn from," Bacon said. "I'm proud we are able to honor their service by naming this trophy after them." McKone and Olmstead are both members of the 55th Wing Hall of Fame and said they are proud to have the award named in their honor. "I am very honored and humbled," McKone said. "The 55th is a terrific outfit and I'm very proud to be associated with it." "I cannot tell you what an honor it will be to be associated with the best of the 55th," Olmstead said. "The Fightin' Fifty-Fifth, its mission and its dedicated men, women and families has always been, and surely will continue to be, something very special in military and aviation history." The Olmstead-McKone Trophy will be on display at the wing headquarters building for viewing after the presentation. The winning squadron's name will be engraved on the trophy bands and they'll also receive a plaque for display within their unit. "I hope this trophy becomes a great part of our wing's heritage and is something each of our squadrons will work towards while they strive for continued mission excellence," Bacon said.