The 8th Air Force dispatches bombers from their bases in England to fly the first American bombing raid against the German homeland in World War II. 53 B-17s hit the the port of Wilhelmshaven, Germany between 11:10 and 11:13 hours local dropping 137.5 tons of bombs. VIII Bomber Command Mission 31 was led by the […]

The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force has been awarded federal distinction through the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This honorific designation recognizes the museum as being of national importance. While most national museums are funded and operated by the federal government, some private museums have been authorized by Congress to be […]

James H. :Jimmy” Doolittle is best known for leading the attack of 16 B-25 Mitchell medium bombers from the aircraft carrier Hornet, with targets in Tokyo, Kobe, Osaka, and Nagoya. The daring one-way mission April 18, 1942 electrified the world and gave America’s war hopes a terrific lift. Doolittle received the Medal of Honor, presented […]

Sadly, 423rd pilot Fred Engstrom died yesterday on December 29 at 3:36pm. Fred reported to the 306th Bomb Group on February 10, 1945 and flew 25 missions. As Fred said, he was “just a Colorado farm boy” when he was called to service at age 19. He wanted to be a pilot. but his hopes […]