History Presentation Japan’s Underwater Aircraft Carriers
The U.S. was thrust into WWII on December 7, 1941 with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Following this successful attack, the Japanese High Command began searching for their next step against the United States.
Loss of Wake Island Sent American Morale to New Low
The Battle of Wake Island pitted a small American force against a large Japanese force. The Japanese attacked the remote Pacific island outpost just hours after their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Sixteen days later, Japanese
1942 Independence Day Raid was Eighth Air Force’s First Mission
The first American air strike against German targets in Europe in World War II took place on July 4, 1942. Flying six twin-engine A-20 light bombers, and joined by six other planes of the same type flown by British Royal
Battle of Midway Presentation Stirred Pride in Daughter of SBD Pilot
The daughter of one of the pilots who flew in the Battle of Midway attended our June 5 presentation about the battle, which included a flight of our Douglas SBD Dauntless. Dona Sorenson is a daughter Don D. Adams (U.S, Navy,
Battle of Midway: American Intelligence, SBDs — and Luck — Made the Difference
U.S. forces defeated a major attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy in the historic June 4-7, 1942, Battle of Midway, even though the Japanese fleet seemed to have every advantage. As docent John Lynch said in a presentation at the Museum
U.S. Navy Exercise Simulated Pearl Harbor Attack 18 Months Before It Happened
Fleet Problem XXI was a U.S. Navy exercise conducted in the Pacific near the Hawaiian Islands in April and May of 1940. Like similar exercises going back to 1923, it tested ideas of offensive and defensive naval warfare. Several earlier
Museum Volunteer and Pilot Flew the SBD During Battle of Midway Presentation
When our rare Douglas SBD-4 Dauntless flew for the public Saturday during a presentation at the museum about the historic World War II Battle of Midway, Alan Wojciak was at the controls. The Dauntless, which played a significant role in the
An 8th Air Force Bomber Pilot’s Role in the Normandy Invasion
By Colonel Gene Pfeffer, USAF (Ret) This is the story of an American Army Air Forces pilot flying from England named Elwood Starkey and his role in Operation Overlord, the invasion of France in June, 1944. Starkey flew 36 B-24 combat
Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP)
The Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) were a brave and dedicated group of aviators who helped the U.S. win the WWII battles in the air. They did not participate in combat directly. But they did take the place of
WWII Vets Tell Their Stories; American Flag is Donated
A group of World War II veterans told their stories to Museum visitors on Saturday in an event sponsored by the Southern Colorado Honor Flight. One vet donated what has become a rarity -- a 48-star American flag. Ted Langowski, 97,