The 8th Army Air Force

usranger74 · 05-27-2013, 11:48 AM

A thought about Memorial Day and WW II –

In June of 1944 the German Air Force had created 1,000 Aces. Think what that meant to the Allied Air Forces.

The 8th Army Air Force (USA) had more combat casualties that the US Marines during WW II.

My Dad was in the 8th and I think of him and his challenges every Memorial Day.

**Kawhead** · 05-27-2013, 01:35 PM

Ahhhhhh the Mighty 8th!

There's an impressive museum in Pooler GA close to Savannah dedicated to the 8th. You're right on about the casualties.
A remarkable generation that was, but there are some inspiring stories of heroics involving soldiers from todays conflicts. I admire these young-uns so much I made a personal vow to abstain from friendly inter-service put down.

I'm so proud of them!

**jlreeves** · 05-27-2013, 07:01 PM

I helped make some of the dioramas in that museum. It's an awesome place to visit. So much given by so few. We are still members.

ponch · 05-27-2013, 07:24 PM

Dad was a tailgunner in a B-17G. He was in the 8th Air Force, 305th Bombardment Group, 364th Bombardment Squadron, stationed in Chelveston England. He was in the AAC from August of 1943 to December of 1945, so I am sure he was on missions for DDay. He never talked about it much. I know he was awarded a distinguished flying cross, air medal with 3 oak leafs, and 4 service stars. I really had to prompt him to get anything out of him. He passed in January 2008.

davidhollinger · 05-29-2013, 11:37 AM

That is amazing Ponch... Just knowing the history gives me chills....
I think about the Memphis Belle and some other classic movies..still cant compare to what it must have been like. What a generation of men and women. They would be so disappointed in today's generation of entitlements. SMH....

ponch · 05-29-2013, 11:40 AM

My dad passed away in January 2008. He would have been apoplectic had he leaved to see Barry o in office.

ponch · 05-29-2013, 11:40 AM

Lived. Freaking auto spell

davidhollinger · 05-29-2013, 11:52 AM

Every time I see him on TV, I cant help but think of a line from Blazing Saddles...
I will let you guess which one...

OutlawImmortal · 05-30-2013, 02:12 AM

Quote:

My Dad was in the 8th and I think of him and his challenges every Memorial Day.

Quote:

Dad was a tailgunner in a B-17G.

God bless both of them. Never met either but dont need to, to give them the respect they deserve, great americans, both of them.

05-27-2013, 11:48 AM	#1
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	The 8th Army Air Force A thought about Memorial Day and WW II – In June of 1944 the German Air Force had created 1,000 Aces. Think what that meant to the Allied Air Forces. The 8th Army Air Force (USA) had more combat casualties that the US Marines during WW II. My Dad was in the 8th and I think of him and his challenges every Memorial Day. __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-27-2013, 01:35 PM	#2
Kawhead Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: 6th Floor up at the The Nervous Hospital up in East Central State, NC Posts: 7,454	Ahhhhhh the Mighty 8th! There's an impressive museum in Pooler GA close to Savannah dedicated to the 8th. You're right on about the casualties. A remarkable generation that was, but there are some inspiring stories of heroics involving soldiers from todays conflicts. I admire these young-uns so much I made a personal vow to abstain from friendly inter-service put down. I'm so proud of them! __________________ ??-Mar.2,2012 "Rocky" My Beloved Dog RIP Mike Tripp VBA#767 '96 800 Vulcan Classic 06 1600 Nomad 07 1600 Nomad "The shoes you buy at the Salvation Army is already been broke in"- Aunt Kawhead
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05-27-2013, 07:01 PM	#3
jlreeves Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Roswell, GA Posts: 888	The 8th Army Air Force I helped make some of the dioramas in that museum. It's an awesome place to visit. So much given by so few. We are still members. __________________ 2008 Nomad 1600 Black/Red _________________________________________ VulcanBagger #01711, VRA/GA VRA, SCRC, VROC #29671, AMA #1085989, Red Knights MC GA-18 Pres, PGR _________________________________________
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05-27-2013, 07:24 PM	#4
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,017	Dad was a tailgunner in a B-17G. He was in the 8th Air Force, 305th Bombardment Group, 364th Bombardment Squadron, stationed in Chelveston England. He was in the AAC from August of 1943 to December of 1945, so I am sure he was on missions for DDay. He never talked about it much. I know he was awarded a distinguished flying cross, air medal with 3 oak leafs, and 4 service stars. I really had to prompt him to get anything out of him. He passed in January 2008. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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05-29-2013, 11:37 AM	#5
davidhollinger Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Central Alabama Posts: 2,188	That is amazing Ponch... Just knowing the history gives me chills.... I think about the Memphis Belle and some other classic movies..still cant compare to what it must have been like. What a generation of men and women. They would be so disappointed in today's generation of entitlements. SMH.... __________________ I would be patient, but it takes too long!! David Hollinger 2002 Beige 1500 "Hannah2" VBA # 02195 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-29-2013, 11:40 AM	#6
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,017	My dad passed away in January 2008. He would have been apoplectic had he leaved to see Barry o in office. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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05-29-2013, 11:40 AM	#7
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,017	Lived. Freaking auto spell __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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