In a moving tribute to the fallen heroes of World War II, the 25th Fighter Squadron nicknamed the ‘Assam Draggins’ of the US Air Force, returned to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh after 81 years to pay homage to their fellow airmen. The squadron’s members visited the Hump Museum, located in Gumin Nagar, Pasighat, on Sunday to honour those who lost their lives in the treacherous mountainous regions of Arunachal Pradesh during the war.
The visit was led by Lieutenant Colonel Justin “Riot” Davis and Captain Nivruth Maramreddy, accompanied by their unit from the 25th Fighter Squadron. The squadron’s history is closely tied to this region, as many US military aircraft crashed in the mountains while attempting to navigate “The Hump,” a hazardous air route between Assam and Yunnan, China, during World War II.
Lt. Col. Davis expressed his gratitude and emotions while visiting the museum: “We are deeply touched by this experience. The Hump Museum is a beautiful reminder of the sacrifices made by our fellow airmen. We are honoured to pay homage to the brave men from the 25th Fighter Squadron, the ‘Assam Draggins,’ who lost their lives while flying missions over the Himalayan mountains.”
The 25th Fighter Squadron first flew its combat mission over “The Hump” on 25th September 1942. Stationed in Dinjan, Assam, the squadron transported vital supplies, including fuel, food, and ammunition, for the Allied forces. The treacherous route claimed around 650 aircraft due to extreme weather conditions and challenging terrain, making it one of the most dangerous air routes of the war. The squadron earned its nickname, ‘Assam Draggins,’ during this time.
In 2016-17, a US team from the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA) searched the northeastern Himalayan region for remains of unaccounted American airmen. The remains of approximately 400 US airmen are still believed to be lost in the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh.
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The Hump Museum, which was inaugurated in November 2023 by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, honours these brave airmen and serves as a memorial to the hazardous ‘Aluminum Trail’ flown during World War II. The museum has become an international tourist destination, drawing visitors from both foreign and domestic origins.
John Tayeng, who helped coordinate the visit, stated, “It was an honour to welcome Lt. Col. Justin ‘Riot’ Davis and his Unit of 25th Fighter Squadron – Assam Draggins. Eighty-one years later, the Assam Draggins have returned to pay their respects to the heroes who gave their lives for a cause that remains significant to this day.”
Museum Director Oken Tayeng, who is also a member of India’s National Tourism Advisory Council, highlighted the growing popularity of the museum as a global tourist attraction. He expressed pride in how the Hump Museum is drawing visitors and educating people about the incredible history of the region during World War II.
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