Major General John O. Moench

Early Life & Military Training

Maj. General John O. Moench is a product of the Great Depression. Raised on the south side of Chicago and later on an Indiana farm, he, like many of his generation, was drawn into World War II. He entered the Aviation Cadet program and became a pilot, flying combat missions in the European Theater of Operations.

Military Service & Career

Following World War II, General Moench chose to remain in the military, holding various assignments in the field, at Air Force Headquarters, and within Air Force and Joint commands in Europe and the Pacific. His career also included roles with the Joint Staff and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. After completing over 30 years of service, he transitioned into civilian life as a corporate executive in a Fortune 500 company. Later, he and his wife, Mary, owned and operated several businesses.

B-26 Marauder Historical Society

General Moench played an active role in the B-26 Marauder Historical Society, serving as Director, Secretary, and Historian. His contributions were instrumental in preserving the history of the aircraft and its crews.

Publications & Legacy

Among his many writings, General Moench authored Taking Command, a fictional account set in the tumultuous environment of Kunsan Air Base, Korea, during the 1960s. As a former member of the 323rd Bombardment Group (M), a B-26 Marauder unit in World War II, he recognized the need for a comprehensive history of the aircraft and its crews.

His book, Marauder Men: An Account of the Martin B-26 Marauder, was published in 1992 and quickly sold out. Due to ongoing demand, a decision was made to release an expanded edition incorporating significant materials from the International Archive of the Martin B-26 Marauder, housed within the B-26 Marauder Historical Society.

Women Air Force Service Pilots, WASP, The Gender War Story by John O. Moench

Veterans Day Speech by John Moench