The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum is featuring a special exhibit in honor of the 100^th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts in America "Girl Scouts in WWII." Here the focus is on Girl Scouts' efforts to win the war. Girl Scouts assisted on the home front.  A World War II era uniform, first aid kit, and sewing kit document their activities in war-related service projects, like Hospital, Child Care, Emergency Outdoor Aide, and Farm Aide.  In addition, Girl Scouts planted Victory Gardens, collected fat and scrap metal, and operated bicycle courier services.  They organized Defense Institutes, teaching 10,000 women survival skills and techniques for comforting children during blackouts and air raids.  Girl Scouts also collected 1.5 million articles of clothing that were then shipped overseas to civilian victims of war.  

As the country's first African American military pilots, the Tuskegee Airmen fought in World War II on two fronts: against the Axis powers in the skies over Europe and against Jim Crow racism and segregation at home. 

Although the pilots flew more than 15,000 sorties and destroyed more than 200 German aircraft, their most far-reaching achievement defies quantification: delivering a powerful blow to racial inequality and discrimination in American life. 

Freedom Flyers brings to life the legacy of a determined, visionary cadre of African American airmen who proved their capabilities and patriotism beyond question, transformed the armed forces-formerly the nation's most racially polarized institution-and jump-started the modern struggle for racial equality. 

Purchase your copy today

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Follow the directions to view this video by B-24 Pilot Paul Grassey (Duration 2 minutes)

Step 1. Go to the App Store on your smartphone and download a QR Scanner for FREE!

Step 2. Scan the QR Code with your smartphone to view video.

*This video is also available on the Museum's website at www.mightyeighth.org

New Members Only Site!

The brand new Members Only portion of the Museum's website aims to extend the reach of the Museums Membership program. Members will have access to exclusive updates, articles and an inside look at what is happening in the Museum. Discussion forums such as ones on the B-17 Restoration Project and Heir of the Eighth will be available. In order to view this exclusive content members will receive a personal registration code or can directly contact the Membership Coordinator.

Summer Camp 2012

B-17 Restoration Project Update

John S. Lewis

John S. Lewis was born in Lumberton, NC and raised in Florida. He served in the Air Force for twenty years at Eglin, Hunter, Davis Monthan, March, Udorn in Thailand, Yokata in Japan, Hickam and Offutt Air Forces Bases around America and the world. He was an aircraft electrician, in the Liquid Fuel Specialist Atlas Missiles Program and in aerial reconnaissance photography. He moved to Savannah in 1976.  After his military retirement, John worked for the Chatham County Sheriff's Department until he retired in 2000. He is married to Eileen and they have three children and two grandchildren. He has volunteered in the Mission Experience since 1999 and is delighted to talk with all of our visitors about anything to do with aviation history.  

MISS SOPHIE: Scratching the surface of scratch cooking 

Teri Bell Courtesy of  Savannah Morning News

 "It was made from scratch."

A POW's Handmade Vest

On 4 February 1944 Ball Turret Gunner John Kyler's B-17 was damaged by enemy flak and fighters.  He and the other crew members bailed out over Belgium.  Kyler was captured and spent the rest of World War II as a prisoner of war in three different prison camps.  From 21 February to 15 July 1944, he was at Stalag Luft VI in Heydekrug, East Prussia (now Silute, Lithuania).  While there he received yarn and a crochet hook from the Y.M.C.A.  He taught himself to crochet and decided to make a lined crocheted vest for additional warmth.  The single stove and rationed coal meant his POW barracks were always cold. 

From Stalag Luft VI Kyler, together with hundreds of other POWs, went by ship and then boxcar to Kiefheide (now Podborsko, Poland).  Shackled together in pairs, the men were forced to run double-time the two miles from the train station to Stalag Luft IV at Gross Tychow (now Tychowo, Poland).  If they fell behind, the POWs were bayoneted by the German guards and bitten by the trained dogs.  Germans hidden in the woods had orders to shoot anyone trying to escape. Instead, the POWs helped one another reach Stalag Luft IV.  Kyler stayed at this camp until 29 January 1945 when he along with several thousand prisoners went by boxcar to Stalag Luft I at Barth, Germany.  This journey took ten days, and the men were relieved that this time they were not greeted by bayonets and guard dogs at the train station.  The more than 6,000 Allied airmen who had remained at Stalag Luft IV began a forced march in subzero temperatures without adequate clothing, shoes or food on 6 February 1945.  They remained on the move until 2 May 1945 when the main group met Allied forces east of Hamburg.  Of those who started on the march approximately 1,500 died from disease, starvation, or at the hands of German guards while attempting to escape. 

Stalag Luft I was liberated by the Russians on 1 May 1945, and Kyler was flown out of Barth twelve days later. 

John Kyler made this vest while a POW at Stalag Luft VI.  This vest is now in the collection of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.

March, 1942: General Eaker named to command VII Bomber Command, establishes HQ at High Wycombe.  

Dates and articles are taken from WWII 8th Air Force veteran Craig Harris'  "A Time-line History of the Mighty 8th Air Force."

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Sam Najarian, WWII 8th AF Veteran and long time volunteer. 

Sam Najarian was born in Brooklyn, New York and volunteered for the Army Air Corps cadet program while still in high school in 1943.  He was deferred until graduation and left for training a few weeks later.  Sam trained as a navigator in a B-17 and was sent to Chelveston Airbase, England to serve in the 364^th BS of the 305thBG of the 8thAF in 1944.  On his thirteenth mission Sam's crew flew to Cologne and the plane suffered an engine loss to and from the target.  With only two engines and heavy damage, the pilot gave the bail out order. Sam convinced the pilot to rescind the order, believing they could fly the plane over Allied occupied territory making bailing out a less dangerous action.  He navigated the plane west and hoped they had traveled far enough to reach friendly territory before notifying the pilot.  As Sam put it, there is no line on the ground telling you where the enemy is.  The crew bailed out and unfortunately two of the nine crew members did not survive.  Sam and the bombardier eventually ended up in the same Belgian farmhouse.  The Germans had retreated only two days before and they were the first Americans the farm family had met.  Sam returned to England and flying missions after an R and R in Scotland.  Sam completed 26 missions in the Eighth before the war in Europe ended. He returned home to his life in New York and Connecticut.  After retirement, Sam moved to South Carolina with his wife Helga.  They have two children.  Sam volunteered at the Mission Experience every Saturday afternoon, guiding visitors through the three part movies and telling them his experiences during WWII. 

He will be sorely missed.  

He was a great man and friend.