John Benning Chapter NSDAR First Vice Regent and Historic Preservation Chair Jean Gay, left, and Chapter Regent Nancy Coleman, right, presented Bill McLean with the NSDAR Excellence in Historic Preservation Award following the dedication of the marker honoring the 62 pilots killed while training at Spence Field during World War II.

MOULTRIE — Following the Sept. 26 dedication of the historic marker remembering the 62 pilots killed while training at Spence Field during World War II, the John Benning Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, presented Bill McLean with the Excellence in Historic Preservation Award.

McLean initiated the marker project when he researched all of the training accidents that occurred during 1942-1945, documenting each accident.

“McLean brought the project to the DAR to create a permanent means to remember these American heroes and the historic role Spence Field played during World War II,” the DAR said in a press release. “The marker was erected at the base of the Flight Control Tower at Spence Field and dedicated in a ceremony attended by the families of several of the fallen pilots, city and county officials, representatives from the U.S. Air Force and about two hundred local and area residents.”

Funding for the marker and the dedication ceremony was made possible by donations from the DAR, city, county, Colquitt County High School students and other members of the community.