Turnbow Higgs American Legion Post 240 unveiled a solemn and enduring tribute during its August 2026 Third Tuesday Joint Meal Meeting, where Commander Frank Maddy presented a newly created Agent Orange Memorial Plaque. The plaque will be permanently mounted on the wall of the Post 240 Legion Hall as a reminder of the unseen costs of war — from the widespread defoliation campaigns in Vietnam to the Burn Pits of the Middle East. Its message is simple and sobering: War has unforeseen consequences.
This tribute was inspired by Legionnaire Dean Jones, a twenty-four year member of Post 240 and former U.S. Air Force Navigator/Bombardier of B 52D Crew 70, which completed 106 combat missions during the Vietnam War. In 1967, Dean and his entire crew were exposed to Agent Orange after being ferried between locations aboard a contaminated C 123 aircraft. Every member of that crew has since died from illnesses linked to toxic exposure — except Dean, who has been undergoing cancer treatment since 2022.
As the lone survivor of B 52D (56 0659), Dean’s magnanimous gesture in memory of his fallen crew ensures their story will live on. His tribute now occupies a prominent place on the walls of Post 240, encouraging all who see it to “Pay It Forward,”just as he has done.
Dean and his crew beat the odds by remaining together for three years and 106 missions — a rare achievement in the high risk world of B 52 operations. They also survived one of the most harrowing takeoff incidents ever recorded at Anderson AFB, Guam, a story documented in The Book, WE WERE CREWDOGS IV, “The Blown tire Incident.”
Dean recounts with remarkable clarity; “We were scheduled for a 2:00 a.m. departure, Crew E-70 was the last aircraft in a nine plane wave. With 57,000 pounds of ordnance and three quarters fuel load, the B 52D required the entire runway. A north northeast breeze allowed takeoff toward the six hundred foot cliff overlooking the Pacific. Just seconds after passing the point of no return, we heard a violent thump. Our pilot immediately announced, in a strained voice, “I have the airplane. We have had a blowout.” The aircraft drifted toward the blown tire as the pilots fought to keep it centered. With the cliff approaching, both pilots hauled back on their control wheels. The aircraft pitched sharply upward and then began to sink over the cliff and out of view of ground observers. According to the gunner, our aircraft began to level out 50-100 feet above the ocean. At 5,000 feet, I inspected the wheel well and confirmed the right front truck had blown. Against all odds, our crew continued the mission and delivered the payload as planned.”
Kudos to Post 240 Adjutant, Finance Officer, and17thDistrictCommander Chris Grantham who developed and produced the final memorial — a work of respect, craftsmanship, and historical fidelity.
Epilog: In reflection The Tribute Plaque unveiling ceremony was worthy of CREW E-70 story. The ceremony honored not only Dean’s service but the courage and sacrifice of his entire crew. The plaque stands as a testament to their endurance, their loyalty, and the unseen wounds carried home from war. In reflecting on the Crew Dog account “Blown Tire on Take off,” one cannot help but believe that Almighty God was Crew E 70’s co pilot on that fateful night.