National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force

National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force preserves for all Americans the stories of courage and sacrifice of the members of the Eighth Air Force.
(1800)

They saved the world, we save their stories.

Fall 2026 England Tour: A Moment You’ll Never ForgetSome experiences can’t be replicated. They can only be felt.With the...
06/17/2026

Fall 2026 England Tour: A Moment You’ll Never Forget

Some experiences can’t be replicated. They can only be felt.

With the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s Roger A. Freeman European Heritage Tours, travelers have the rare and moving opportunity to witness the turning of the Roll of Honour at the American Memorial Chapel inside St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. This solemn tradition honors the American airmen who gave their lives during WWII.

It is moments like this that define our tours. Not just places you visit, but experiences that stay with you. From this powerful ceremony to the historic airfields of East Anglia, every step connects you to the legacy of the Mighty Eighth.

Fall 2026 tours are now booking
Flexible payment plans available
Be part of something unforgettable: https://www.wetravel.com/trips/the-mighty-eighth-easy-eighth-national-museum-of-the-mighty-eighth-air-force-97224862 -this-trip

OPERATION FRANTICThe appearance of over 100 Eighth Air Force B-17s in the sky above Warsaw on 18 September 1944 came too...
06/17/2026

OPERATION FRANTIC
The appearance of over 100 Eighth Air Force B-17s in the sky above Warsaw on 18 September 1944 came too little too late for the beleaguered Polish fighters and marked the end of the most ambitious effort of operational collaboration undertaken between the United States and the Soviet Union during World War II. The use of airfields on Soviet territory to enable American heavy bombers to fly one-way missions over Germany, known as "shuttle bombing," lasted only four months. This idea was first broached to the Soviets during the Moscow Conference in October 1943 but only brought an "approval in principle" from the Soviet government.
General John Deane, head of the United States Military Mission to Moscow enumerated the goals for shuttle bombing: render the whole of Germany vulnerable to strategic bombing; force Germany to redistribute and thin out anti-aircraft and fighter defenses; increase the tonnage of bombs dropped on German targets by flying missions on days that weather precluded landing in England or Italy but did permit landing on Soviet territory; shuttle bases would serve as a proving ground for the vast air operations American planners hoped would materialize from Siberia against Japan. American Ambassador Averell Harriman pressed the shuttle proposal with Stalin in early February and preparations soon began to construct air bases suitable for the needs of heavy bomber units for use by Summer 1944.
Three shuttle bases were constructed in Ukraine: Poltava, Mirgorod and Piryatin. In April 1944, USSTAF established its Eastern Command Headquarters (ESCOM) at Poltava. B-17s from the Fifteenth Air Force flew the first shuttle mission, code named Operation FRANTIC, on 2 June 1944 and flew missions from the shuttle bases for a week before returning to Italy in hopes of diverting German aircraft from the D-Day invasion. The Eighth Air Force flew the second shuttle mission on 21 June 1944 with disastrous consequences. That evening the Luftwaffe launched an attack against the Poltava airfield in what became one of its most successful attacks against the American air forces during the war.
Nearly 50 parked B-17s were destroyed and 19 others damaged with no losses to the attacking German force. The following night the Luftwaffe attacked the Mirgorod airfield but the remaining American bombers had been relocated to Kirovograd. The success of the German attack embarrassed the Soviet government, whose responsibility it was to defend the shuttle bases. USSTAF commander General Spaatz limited shuttle operations to fighter sweeps until a satisfactory arrangement could be found for adequate defense of the bases. The Soviets refused American proposals to add a night fighter squadron and American anti-aircraft units to the bases since it would entail more American personnel on Soviet territory, a development the Soviet government wished to avoid.
The next two shuttle missions were conducted by fighter units from the Fifteenth Air Force. Since American losses on these fighter sweeps were high in relation to the actual damage inflicted, Spaatz reluctantly decided to allow heavy bombers to resume shuttle missions on 6 August 1944 to keep the shuttle initiative alive. While relations with the Soviets over the use of shuttle bases and at the bases themselves had seriously deteriorated over Summer 1944, it was the Warsaw uprising in August 1944 that proved the final catalyst for the end of the shuttle missions. The Polish Home Army in Warsaw rose against their German occupiers as Soviet forces reached the eastern bank of the Vistula on 1 August 1944.
The Soviets made broadcasts to the Poles that seemed to encourage them to launch the uprising but ceased all artillery and air support once the fighting in Warsaw began. The Soviets gave the Germans a free hand to destroy the uprising because the Home Army was aligned with the non-communist Polish Government in London. The British and American governments both wanted to air drop supplies to the beleaguered Poles but Stalin refused the use of the shuttle bases or even use of air space over Soviet-held territory for the missions. Finally, on 12 September 1944 Stalin relented and approved of the supply drops. At this point, he had little to lose politically. The initial successes of the uprising had been reversed and the Polish fighters had lost most of the city. Weather prevented a 15 September American supply mission from England, and when Eighth Air Force bombers finally appeared over the city on 18 September the supply effort proved futile. Dismayed Poles watched the bulk of supplies descend into German-held areas that the Poles had controlled only a week before.
The 18 September 1944 mission proved to be the final shuttle mission. The Soviets communicated to the American government that they wished for ESCOM to conclude its operations and turn over the bases. American officials had no practical arguments to counter the Soviet request. Soviet advances had left the ESCOM bases too far east to be of much value for strategic operations. As the Soviets continued their advance west, targets in Poland that were once out of range for the Eighth Air Force were rapidly being overrun by Soviet forces. An arrangement was eventually reached with the Soviets to keep Poltava open with only a small American detachment in case shuttle missions were needed in 1945. The bulk of American personnel departed Soviet territory in October 1944 and Poltava instead served as the evacuation point for American air crews who went down behind Soviet lines in Poland. The shuttle missions that were flown between June and September 1944 never reached the strategic potential that American planners had hoped. Weather, especially during winter months, continued to hamper mission planning, shuttle missions were too sporadic to have a strategic impact, and American advances in the Pacific by 1945 made the use of Siberian airfields unnecessary.

From the Collection
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force

06/16/2026

Honor a hero. Sponsor a name.

With a $100 donation, you can add the name of a fallen Eighth Air Force airman to a dog tag that will be displayed in our upcoming “Service Above Self” exhibit, opening in 2026 at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.

Donors will also receive:
• A dog tag engraved with a fallen airman’s name
• A personalized certificate recognizing your participation in the program

🕊️ This week we remember Captain Roy Swangren, a navigator with the 392nd Bomb Group, 579th Bomb Squadron, who was killed in action on March 22, 1945. He is one of the 26,000 brave Eighth Air Force members who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II.

Your contribution is more than a donation. It is a lasting tribute to those who gave up all their tomorrows so we could have ours.

💙 Join us. Preserve their legacy.
🔗 www.mightyeighth.org/honor-remember

One year ago, plans were announced to bring a B-24 Liberator to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. Toda...
06/16/2026

One year ago, plans were announced to bring a B-24 Liberator to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. Today, that vision is becoming reality.

Phase I of the restoration project has been completed, with museum staff recently traveling to Barksdale Air Force Base to catalog major aircraft components and remove all four engines for specialized restoration work.

Later this summer, the aircraft's fuselage will begin the next phase of restoration. When complete, the B-24 will join the museum's B-17 Flying Fortress on the gallery floor, reuniting the two heavy bombers that carried the Eighth Air Force's mission across Europe during World War II.

Stay tuned for more restoration updates as this remarkable piece of history takes shape.

Future aviators, history lovers, and Mighty Eighth fans, this one's for you!A new collection of youth shirts has arrived...
06/15/2026

Future aviators, history lovers, and Mighty Eighth fans, this one's for you!

A new collection of youth shirts has arrived at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force Gift Shop. Featuring fun designs and comfortable styles, these shirts are perfect for young explorers ready to wear their love of aviation and history.

Available now in-store and online.

🛍️ Shop the collection: https://shop.mightyeighth.org/childrens-clothing/

Season 2 of Mail Call continues.Listen now from our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com//podcastsThe National Museum o...
06/14/2026

Season 2 of Mail Call continues.

Listen now from our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com//podcasts

The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is proud to share all-new episodes featuring students from the SCAD - The University for Creative Careers, School of Film and Acting, bringing original Eighth Air Force letters to life straight from the museum archives.

Voices from the past. Stories worth hearing. History, delivered.

Today’s featured Mail Call story highlights Lieutenant Clifford Dartt, a co-pilot with the 384th Bomb Group, 544th Bomb Squadron.

On July 4, 1943, Dartt was shot down during a mission and was subsequently captured, becoming a prisoner of war.

This week’s Mail Call features a two-part letter exchange. The first brings word to Dartt’s mother that her son was alive after being shot down—an invaluable piece of news during a time filled with uncertainty. The second letter, written after liberation, reflects the long journey from captivity to freedom and the relief that followed.

Together, these letters tell a powerful story of survival, endurance, and the enduring connection between home and those who served.
Stay tuned for more personal stories from the archives of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, in partnership with the School of Film and Acting at
SCAD - The University for Creative Careers.

Stay tuned for more powerful stories from the archives of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force

National Flag Day was established on May 30, 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson. In 1949 President Harry Truman signed an ...
06/14/2026

National Flag Day was established on May 30, 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson. In 1949 President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th as National Flag Day. Americans are encouraged to fly their flags proudly on June 14th.
Sgt. Leo Dempsey was a base photographer with the 357thFG, 362ndSQ and 363rdSQ and is credited with capturing this image of three enlisted men with the American flag.

From the Collection
National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force

Captain James A Verinis and Stuka the Scottish Terrier91stBG 324thSQ Mascot of the B-17 'Memphis Belle'Scottish terri...
06/13/2026

Captain James A Verinis and Stuka the Scottish Terrier
91stBG 324thSQ Mascot of the B-17 'Memphis Belle'

Scottish terrier, crew mascot belonging to Capt James A Verinis, flew on B-17's 'Memphis Belle' and 'Connecticut Yankee'.
Stuka was born in England and was living in a pet shop in London when Captain Verinis found her and brought her to live with him where he was stationed, at the USAAF barracks near Bassingbourn. Captain Verinis and Stuka became great friends, together they helped boost the morale of the servicemen everywhere they went. Stuka became known as the ‘mascot of the Memphis Belle.’ She was a faithful companion of the crew of the Memphis Belle (she even had her own dog tags like the soldiers did!). Stuka ended her life as James's pet in the USA.

Photo: IWM
1)General Henry H. Arnold, Commanding General of the Army Air Forces, and Captain James A. Verinia (sic) and "Stuka", and Captain Charles B. Leighton, members of the crew of the Memphis Belle, a Flying Fortress which made twenty five bombing missions over Europe. Photo marked: War Theatre #12 (England) MEMPHIS BELLE Taken June 16, 1943 by Quentin R Porter, AAF Photographer at National Airport, Washington DC Released 2-14-1944

2) Capt James A Verinis, co-pilot of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Memphis Belle" holding the crew's mascot, "Stuka", and Capt Charles B Leighton, navigator NARA Ref 342-FH-3A06278-F23980AC.

3) Crew of the Boeing B-17 'Memphis Belle' at Laredo AAF, Laredo, Texas, 20 June 1943.
Standing L to R: T/Sgt Harold P Loch, T/Sgt Robert J Hanson, Capt Robert K Knight, Capt Vincent B Evans, Capt Charles B Leighton, Capt James A Verinis [holding Stuka the ships mascot].
Kneeling L to R: S/Sgt John P Quinlan, S/Sgt Clarence B Winchell, S/Sgt Casimer A Nastal, S/Sgt Cecil H Scott. NARA Ref 342-FH-3A06257-76576AC.

In 2026, Mail Call continues with all-new episodes now streaming as we celebrate the National Museum of the Mighty Eight...
06/12/2026

In 2026, Mail Call continues with all-new episodes now streaming as we celebrate the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s 30th Anniversary year.

This season brings powerful letters from the Eighth Air Force archives to life, sharing the voices, memories, and moments that shaped history.

Catch Mail Call on our Facebook and YouTube channels every second and fourth Sunday of the month.

They saved the world. We save their stories.

We’re excited to announce that the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force has been nominated again for Best Muse...
06/11/2026

We’re excited to announce that the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force has been nominated again for Best Museum in the "Best in Georgia" awards by thThe Georgia Business Journal!

We need YOUR help to keep the awards rolling in! You can vote for the museum once a day, every day, from now until October 31st. Let’s show everyone why the Mighty Eighth stands out!

🗳️ Vote here: https://gbj.com/best-of/vote/arts-entertainment

Thank you for your support! Let’s bring this award home!

Address

175 Bourne Avenue
Pooler, GA
31322

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

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