MEMORIALS of the 95^th Bomb Group

The 95^th Bomb Group has memorials throughout the United States and in England.  They serve as a touchstone for us to remember and thank those who fought and sacrificed their lives to defeat a malevolent enemy and preserve the freedom of the world.  The 95^th Bomb Group Memorials Foundation is charged with the honor of maintaining these memorials so that all who see them will know the patriotism, dedication and personal sacrifice these men made.

THE RING OF EIGHT

Horham, England 

St. Mary’s Church in Horham, England houses a ring of eight bells, the oldest being cast in 1568.  On a 1981 visit to Horham, it came to the attention of veteran “Lefty” Nairn that the bells had not rung since 1911 because of their decayed wooden frames.  He began a campaign to have the bells restored, and at the 1988 95th BG Association reunion in Cincinnati, the project of tuning, re-hanging, and restoring the bells at Horham was approved by the Board of Directors.  This goal, with the help of the English Friends of the 95^th and members of St. Mary’s Church, was finally accomplished on December 28^th 1990.  Today, a climb up into the bell tower not only gives a close up view of the bells, but a lovely vista of the surrounding countryside.  In 1993, the “Ring of Eight” was recognized by the English Heritage Secretary for “outstanding achievement in the field of conservation and restoration.”

Across the street from the Church is another memorial, this one in the shape of a B-17 tail with the 95th's "Square B".  Again, this was a joint project with the English Friends of the 95^th, unveiled in 1981 in memory of the 192 B-17 crews that failed to return.

95^TH BOMB GROUP MEMORIAL ROOM

Pima Air and Space Museum          Tucson, Arizona

Within the hanger that is the 390^th Memorial Museum at the Pima Air and Space Museum is the 95^th Bomb Group’s Memorial Room, dedicated in 1996.  Rather than a collection of artifacts and memorabilia, it is an emotional step back in time through photographs, artwork, and a solitary chair holding the 95^th Bomb Group Memorial Flag.  “The various displays celebrate the individuals and events that were fundamental to our lives and mission in the air war:  the role of our support personnel, our prisoners of war, escapees, the mission parties held at the completion of every 100 missions and included music by Glen Miller’s Orchestra, our Presidential Citations and more.  To be in this room is to relive the experience, the joys, the adventure and, of course, the fears and sadness of those days so long ago.”  (From Memorials of the 95^th Bomb Group (H) by Maynard D. Stewart and H. Griffin Mumford)  In 1998, the 95th Bomb Group Memorials Foundation added a kiosk at the entrance to the room.  It gives visitors an opportunity to hear first hand stories from the veterans, as well as photos of them then and now.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE MUSEUM

Wright Patterson Air Force Base    Dayton, Ohio

In the midst of a triangular brick walkway in the Memorial Gardens at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, a deep red eagle takes form to support a black granite pedestal holding an open bronze globe.  Four plaques are attached to the sides of the pedestal, paying tribute to the men of the 95th and identifying important historical information, including the 95^th’s three presidential and unit citations.  The memorial was presented to the Museum on 17 September 1988, with the address being given by 95^th Bomb Group Association President David T. McKnight.    Seven years later, on 7 May 1995, the walkway surrounding the monument was dedicated.  Every year on that date there is a memorial service on the grounds.  May 7^th was chosen because it was on that day in 1945 that the 95^th flew its last mission, a “chow hound” mission to feed the starving Dutch.  Eleven crew members were lost when their plane was forced into the English Channel.  The war in Europe was over the following day.

 On May 7, 2000 a bench honoring Colonel David T. McKnight was dedicated not far from the 95^th’s memorial.  Originally selected to command the 335^th Bomb Squadron, he went on to become the 95^th BG Air Operations Officer in September of 1943.  The bench inscriptions read:

WHEN NEEDED MOST HIS WAS THE STRENGTH THAT HELD US TOGETHER

A GREAT LEADER IN SPIRIT – IN ACTION - IN WAR – IN PEACE

THE MIGHTY EIGHTH HERITAGE MUSEUM

Savannah, Georgia 

A series of panels displaying photographs and historical text depicts the 95^th’s role in the 8^th Air Force.  Outside in the memorial gardens, the Wall of Valor is a place where any 8^th Air Force veteran may make a donation and be included on the wall.  Crew plaques are also displayed on the wall in memory of individual crews.

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETARY

Arlington, Virginia 

Installed in August 1992, the 95^th Bomb Group's Memorial Plaque can be found in the Memorial Display room at the east entrance to the Memorial Amphitheater near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  It reads:

In memory of

THE UNKNOWN FALLEN FLIERS

95^th Bomb Group, Third Division

8^th Air Force

During the Air Campaign over Europe

1942 to 1945

LIKE FALLEN LEAVES THEY LEFT US

NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY

Colorado Springs, Colorado

The memorial plaque dedicated at the USAF Academy in 1987 was the first 95^th Bomb Group memorial dedicated in the United States.  It bears the same inscription as the Arlington plaque, and is located at the Academy Cemetery Memorial Wall