On July 4, 1975, 133 508th PIR WW II veterans, wives and family members assembled in Chicago and the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment WW II Association became realty.
During the Chicago meeting, officers were elected and plans were developed for organizing the association. By 2001 the association roster contained a membership of 1270 members and associate members.
The association held a reunion every year from 1976 to 2004 always rotating the reunion sites - the attendance at these reunions ranged from 176 to 621 members and guests.
O.B. Hill (Hq1) served as President of the association in 1975 & 1976. He also chaired five reunions, and served as the Association’s National Chairman until he died June 10, 2002.
Kenneth (Rock) Merritt (Hq1) was elected Association President in 1980, 1995, 1996, 2002, and 2003.
Fittingly, Rock Merritt presided over the Association’s retirement on October 19, 2004 at Camp Blanding, Florida.
Rock also served as Vice President several times, and as Association Parliamentarian for many years. Additionally Rock and Sally Merritt co-sponsored the Association’s 1977 reunion with an attendance of 358.
In 1995 and 1996, Kenneth (Rock) Merritt supervised a major revision of the Association’s Constitution and By-laws (C&B) that resulted in improved operations, increased membership participation, and the recognition of individual achievements. For example, the revised C&B provided for:
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Appointing O.B. Hill National Chairman for life.
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Reelecting the President and Vice President. Previously the president was elected for only one year and was automatically replaced by the Vice President.
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Defining three classes of association membership:
1. General Members – men who had served with the 508th PIR during the period October 1942 to December 1945.
2. Director Members - persons elected, or appointed to serve as directors.
3. Associate Members – spouses and relatives of members living or deceased, and bonafide “friends" of the association. | 
