"The Mighty Eighth"
19 Jan. 1942 - 12 Sept. 1945
VIII Bomber Command 19 January 1942
Eight Air Force 1 February 1942
Air Offensive Campaigns and Commanders
“Europe” - Maj. Gen. Ira C. Eaker
“Normandy” - Brig. Gen. Newton Longfellow
“Northern France” - Maj. Gen. Frederick L. Anderson
“Rhineland” - Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle
“Ardennes-Alsace” - Maj. Gen. William Kepner
“Central Europe” - Maj. Gen. Westside T. Larson
“Medal of Honor”
1st Lt. Jack Warren Mathis 18 March 43
SSgt. Maynard H. Smith 1 May 43
F/O John Cary Morgan 28 July 43
Col. Leon W. Johnson 1 Aug. 43
2nd Lt. Lloyd H. Hughes 1 Aug. 43
Lt. Col. Earl A. Baker 1 Aug. 43
Major John L. Jerstad 1 Aug. 43
SSgt. Forrest L. Vosler 20 Dec. 43
1st Lt. William R. Lawley, Jr. 20 Feb. 44
2nd Lt. Walter E. Truemper 20 Feb. 44
SSgt. Archibald Mathies 20 Feb. 44
1st Lt. Edward S. Michael 11 Apr. 44
Lt. Col. Leon Robert Vance 5 Jun. 44
1st Lt. Donald Joseph Gott 9 Nov. 44
2nd Lt. William E. Metzger 9 Nov. 44
2nd Lt. Robert E. Femoyer 2 Nov. 44
Brig. Gen. Frederick W. Castle 24 Dec. 44
Distinguished Service Cross 226
Distinguished Flying Cross 45977
Distinguished Service Medal 12
Silver Starts 864
Air Medal 442300
Bronze Star 2984
Soldiers Medal 488
Purple Heart 7033
Legion of Merit 209
27 Distinguished Unit Citations
18 Meritous Service Unit Plaques
The heritage of free peoples in their quest for world peace against tyranny and suppression of freedom was honored by the courageous sacrifices of over 300,000 men and women during World War Two who served in the mightiest air combat striking force ever committed to battle - the “U.S. Eighth Air Force.” To these many, and the nearly 50,000 who were killed or did not return from their missions, this memorial is respectfully dedicated.
October 9, 1982
Courtesy hmdb.org
