| Eighth Air Force Museum |
Avg. visitor rating:  (38 visitors) |
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Reviews / Comments by our visitors
| Ken Guillory De Soto, Missouri |  I worked to help build the museum before retiring in 1988. A lot of effort went in to getting the museum going. My 10-year old son also helped as we moved the planes into position. I was stationed at Barksdale (1971-74) and (1985-88) and saw the museum really grow, all with volunteer help. Museums such as this help to maintain our Air Force heritage. Please keep the heritage alive and growing. 12/01/2008 @ 17:48 [ref: 8542] |
| Robert Johnson Surprise, Arizona |  Please review the material discovered during my research after being contacted by the grandson of a former pilot (deceased) assigned to the Eighth AF. He asked for my assistance with the paperwork for the POW medal. National Headquarters 3201 East Pioneer Parkway #40 Arlington, Texas 76010-5396 817-649-2979 817-649-0109 - FAX hq@axpow.org Last Name: SMITH First Name Middle Initial: JOHN S Nick Name: 'JACK' Street: 3821 CAMINO CAPISTRANO (NE) City & State: ALBUQUERQUE, NM E-Mail: Zip: 87111 Phone: Spouse: NORA J Conflict: WWII Service Branch: Air Force Unit: 11AF 404 BS Theater: ETO Where Captured: RUSSIA Date Captured: 05/10/45 Camps Held In: PETROPAVLOVSK TASHKENT SIBERIA How Long Interned: 90 days liberated / repatriated: liberated Date Liberated: 08/08/45 Age at Capture: 20 Medals Received: AIR MEDAL Military Job: FLIGHT OFFICER Company: Occupation after War: Bio: Americans Home From Siberia On October 2, 1992, the secretary of the Air Force acknowledge and honored a unique group of WWII Veterans. A little know story of WWII was the relationship of the U.S. and Russia during the time prior to Russia declaring war on Japan. According to International Law, Russia was a neutral country and was obliged to intern personnel of warring nations if they were within the control of Russian armed forces. Until the mid 1980’s, the activities of these airmen was highly classified. It all started with the famous Doolittle Raiders. One crew, Lt. York’s, due to a fuel shortage, landed north of Valdivoltok instead of China, and were instantly interned. Over the next three years thirty six other crews, for a total of 291 Americans met the same fate. With the exception of 4 B-29 crews of the 29th Air Force, these airmen were members of the old Army Air Corps and Navy Air Wing 4 form the Aleutian Islands. They were flying missions against the Japanese Kurile Islands. In case of aircraft damage the preplanned escape route was to Petropovlavsk, Kamchatke Peninsula. “Petro” was a holding point until a group became large enough to move across Siberia to another holding point at Tashkent Russia. The trip across Siberian R.R. to flying in old C-47 is with Russian crews. All in all five separate groups were held and released by various methods. The last group, of which I was a member was released after the war had ended. The survivors of the ordeal have formed an organization known as the “Americans Home from Siberia” and are a part of the Eleventh Air Force Association. On October 3, 1992 at the banquet following the 11th Air Force Reunion Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom McInerney made a surprise presentation of the P.O.W. medal to the members that were present, recognizing them 47 years after the fact. There were approximately 218 USAAF personnel, and 64 Navy personnel approved the POW medal. Secretary of the AF Rice signed a blanket authorization in 1992. Secretary of the Navy Garrett III, and Acting Secretary of the Navy O'Keefe signed letters of authorization to approximately 64 airmen the same year. There were over 200 airmen held at Wauwilermoos Prison in Switzerland, a neutral country as well. They were placed in the prison for punishment after being apprehended while attempting to escape. Such an act by the Swiss was a violation of the Geneva Convention, Article 56, dated 1929. War Crimes testimony reveals circumstances, which the Secretary concerned should have found to have been comparable to those under which persons have generally been held captive by enemy armed forces during periods of armed conflict. However, today the Air Force is denying recognition for those that suffered acts not suitable for public view. The simple recognition many living veterans and/or next of kins are asking is the Prisoner of War Medal. To date there have been two internees approved the POW medal held in the prison. First, to a veteran authorized by General Fogleman AF Chief of Staff, presented by Lt. General Record in 1996. Second, to a veteran approved by AFBCMR in 2006 with the help of his daughter, and Congressman Matheson of Utah. Where is the balance of recognition? Where is the support by members of the Eighth AF? Some members may believe there are more important things going on. To the former internees, and next of kins of those passed, believe me when I say it is very important to receive recognition for their ordeal spent in a prison for attempting to do the correct act. As a veteran of a more recent era, there is no doubt there are former members of the Eight Air Force that are interested to step up to the plate, and support our fellow veterans. If you happen to be interested in copies of the initial guideline authorizing the POW medal, copies of letters by the Secretaries, letter from General Fogleman, photograph of the presentation, conclusion of approval by the AF, conclusion of denial by the AF, please contact me. Regards, Robert E. Johnson, MSgt, USAF, Retired 16169 North 158 Avenue Surprise, Arizona 85374 (623) 546-3410 03/21/2008 @ 07:29 [ref: 7229] |
| Anthony Curcio Baldwinsville, New York | I had the pleasure of visiting Barksdale AFB for the first time in August after more than twenty years after being stationed at Barksdale 8th Air Force between '82 - '86. I enjoyed the museum and reliving all the great times shared working on the "Buffs" as an Aircraft Electician with the 2nd FMS. I hope to revisit again in July '08. 03/01/2008 @ 15:45 [ref: 6862] |
| Alysha Douglasville, Georgia |  FGGDGDGNJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJDFGBFDCGHYEUISTYAEUIGJKDBNZVJDKHGDUIAYDRIDTYTIWERITEUITGHDFIOGHIDRTHUIEHTRUIHTURIHUIURGJTYCFJGHTRRREYHHSFHHSRJRRUTUJSUSJUTYUSSKGTOPSERUGTORJTLRUSIOROPYTARTTHEIWTHTEHTUARTRUIRTUHURTUURTYYDHHFJMSDGGEJEKMWHYQQWFGYGJKGHUYUYDNNUYTDUYDRUJYSV8UYUYIOUTISOPYUSUSERYUHYSRJ;GJHGJ;GHJGHJSGDFHDFHJDJKLFGHJDGHKLFGHKFHKL;;DH;HDF;DFDFDFDFDFDFDFDFDFDFDFDFDFDFDFDFDFDFDFDF;;;;SDGIYHFGSDUTROGHYFGRUTYTYUCDHFHTDGJDGHKGKJHGZJKDHFFHSDEJLGTFDJGHSDKLAGH 02/05/2008 @ 08:55 [ref: 6739] |
| Johnny Signor Palm Bay, Florida |  The museum is a great place for aircraft to be seen up close although they could be better upkept,the displays are good I enjoyed being there, I make Leather unit patches custom order (321) 724-1246 NOON-11PM Eastern Siggy 11/18/2007 @ 16:42 [ref: 6505] |
| Mike Collins Delray Beach, Florida | I have quite a few hours flight time in 6509. I was stationed at KBAD as a gunner from 86-90. I have retired the gunners wings and am now an airline pilot. I have had a few overnights in SHV, and have stopped by the museum a few times. 09/07/2007 @ 09:10 [ref: 6296] |
| Tom Bass Cobb, Wisconsin | Just visited the 8AF Museum for the second time. The first was back in the mid 90s. I must say that I was disappointed in the condition of the a/c on display outside. I know that it is very difficult to maintain display aircraft and large ones are even worse. But when you leave them open for bird infestation and weather intrusion you are only asking for trouble. I don't know why the a/c have signs posted that state "proudly maintained by" as it is obvious that they are not and if I was a member of one of those units I would be ashamed & embarrassed that my unit was listed. As an example I have attached three pictures of the B-52D that is on display. One shows the port inner pylon that is a bird hotel. The next is of the port flap well that is exposed showing a least one bird nest and many bird droppings. The third is of the sign in front of the a/c. 07/23/2007 @ 03:34 [ref: 6142] |
| John Dailey Fort Smith, Arkansas | I was in the Air Force reserve at Barksdale from 80-82. They had just started to assemble some a/c for the museum. They had the B-17/B-24 and the FB-111 at that time. The B-47 used to be on display by one of the entrance gates. I had heard they were trying to get a B-36 for display but it must not have worked out. I haven't been back to see it since then but it looks like a nice collection. 01/05/2007 @ 13:37 [ref: 5509] |
| Ryan Shirley, New York | I was stationed at Barksdale AFB 1995-1998 abd watched as the museum got larger.the staff is great but ubfortunatly understaffed.All those aorcraft are maontained by 1 person,with occasional volunteer help.Overall it is a fun day and very informative. 10/27/2006 @ 13:23 [ref: 5373] |
| tang jie Shreveport, Louisiana |  staffs in museum are very nice. It is really excited to see it in person. The displays should be well protected. I pray peace for world. God bless America. 01/07/2006 @ 19:38 [ref: 4696] |
External pages about this museum
| http://www.8afmuseum.net/ |
Last updated: 02/14/00.
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