475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation

475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation Has established a permanent home for the artifacts, photographs, records and memories of the U.S. Army Air Force unit that accounted for the 562 victories
(6)

05/08/2020
Fox News

Fox News

President Donald J. Trump and first lady Melania Trump take part in a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.

My grandfather Capt Vincent Elliott ace pilot with fellow pilots of the 475th Fighter Group, including top Ace Tommy McG...
03/14/2020

My grandfather Capt Vincent Elliott ace pilot with fellow pilots of the 475th Fighter Group, including top Ace Tommy McGuirešŸ‡ŗšŸ‡²šŸŗšŸ‘

A dear friend of the Collings Foundation and WWII veteran Frank Tedesco passed away on February 29, 2020 at the age of 9...
03/11/2020

A dear friend of the Collings Foundation and WWII veteran Frank Tedesco passed away on February 29, 2020 at the age of 99. Born and raised in Weymouth, Frank graduated from Weymouth High School. He went on to further his education, by receiving a Bachelorā€™s degree from the University of Nebraska.

Frank proudly served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during WW II as a B24 Liberator Pilot. Over the years, he received many awards for his military service, most recently in May of 2019, Frank was awarded a high medal of honor, the Legion Dā€™Honneur for his service alongside France, during WW II. Before retirement, Frank worked for many years as an Aircraft Engineer for General Electric.
He spent countless hours volunteering: building the Spirit of Massachusetts in Boston, restoring a B24J Liberator with the Collings Foundation, in Stow, MA and public speaking educating the public on events of WW II. Frankā€™s passion for photography was evident by his numerous features in publications. On the weekends, he loved to sing and perform at clubs and piano bars. Frank frequented the Wings of Freedom tour and the Collings Foundation's living history events over many years. He was always the epitome of "The Greatest Generation."

Frank was a kind, selfless, and loving man who cared for his family. He will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to have known him.

A dear friend of the Collings Foundation and WWII veteran Frank Tedesco passed away on February 29, 2020 at the age of 99. Born and raised in Weymouth, Frank graduated from Weymouth High School. He went on to further his education, by receiving a Bachelorā€™s degree from the University of Nebraska.

Frank proudly served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during WW II as a B24 Liberator Pilot. Over the years, he received many awards for his military service, most recently in May of 2019, Frank was awarded a high medal of honor, the Legion Dā€™Honneur for his service alongside France, during WW II. Before retirement, Frank worked for many years as an Aircraft Engineer for General Electric.
He spent countless hours volunteering: building the Spirit of Massachusetts in Boston, restoring a B24J Liberator with the Collings Foundation, in Stow, MA and public speaking educating the public on events of WW II. Frankā€™s passion for photography was evident by his numerous features in publications. On the weekends, he loved to sing and perform at clubs and piano bars. Frank frequented the Wings of Freedom tour and the Collings Foundation's living history events over many years. He was always the epitome of "The Greatest Generation."

Frank was a kind, selfless, and loving man who cared for his family. He will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to have known him.

5 Fwy Burbank CA
03/11/2020

5 Fwy Burbank CA

Thank you for your service and RIP Mr. Donald Stratton
02/18/2020

Thank you for your service and RIP Mr. Donald Stratton

We are profoundly sad to say that last night, February 15, Donald passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his wife of nearly 70 years, Velma, and his son Randy. One of Donald's final wishes was that people remember Pearl Harbor and the men aboard the USS Arizona. Share their story and never forget those who gave all for our great country.

Donald Stratton, 97 years old.
USS Arizona Survivor
Husband of 69 years to Velma Stratton
Father to Robert, Randy, Gypsy and Roxanne Jo
Grandfather and Greatgrandfather to 13 amazing grandchildren
Author of New York Times Best Seller - All the Gallant Men.

This day in aviation February 11, 1939 Lockheed XP-38, 37-457, on a record-breaking transcontinental flight from March F...
02/11/2020
11 February 1939 - This Day in Aviation

This day in aviation February 11, 1939 Lockheed XP-38, 37-457, on a record-breaking transcontinental flight from March Field, Riverside, California, to Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/11-february-1939/

11 February 1939: Barely two weeks after its first flight, First Lieutenant Benjamin Scovill (ā€œBenā€) Kelsey, U.S. Army Air Corps, took the prototype Lockheed XP-38, 37-457, on a record-breaking transcontinental flight from March Field, Riverside, California, to Mitchel Field, Long Island, New Yo...

Thank you John Bruning!
01/10/2020

Thank you John Bruning!

12/07/2019
Fox News

Fox News

Remembering Pearl Harbor, 78 years later.

Lt General Doolittle in Lockheed P-38 Lightning Just Before He Takes Off On A Short Flight, 23 March 1944
11/28/2019

Lt General Doolittle in Lockheed P-38 Lightning Just Before He Takes Off On A Short Flight, 23 March 1944

Last living link to Hiroshima bombing mission passes away https://www.fox13news.com/news/last-living-link-to-hiroshima-b...
11/27/2019
Last living link to Hiroshima bombing mission passes away

Last living link to Hiroshima bombing mission passes away https://www.fox13news.com/news/last-living-link-to-hiroshima-bombing-mission-passes-away?fbclid=IwAR0Y3OM21AlFLg50Qnp5gvzJlgkTYXUwr6jrI_mnKtf7T3oSqM2wxjNf4ic

ā€œI have no regrets about what I did,ā€ Russell Gackenbach said. ā€œWe were at war. The Japanese and the Germans were working on the atomic bomb, just like we were. We just happened to get it first.ā€

ā€œAmerica was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the ...
11/12/2019

ā€œAmerica was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.ā€ ā€” Harry S. Truman

10/25/2019
10/09/2019
www.regulations.gov

To our 475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation followers, please read on behalf of The Collings foundation
Dear supporters,

Please join the Collings Foundation in our thoughts and prayers with those who were on the tragic flight of the B-17 Flying Fortress ā€œNine-O-Nineā€ on Wednesday, October 2nd. We will be forever grateful to the heroic efforts of the first responders at Bradley International Airport and the assistance of all local agencies in the days after the crash.

The Collings Foundation team has been and remains fully cooperative with officials to determine the cause of the crash and we will comment further when facts and details become available. We have suspended the Wings of Freedom Tour for the remainder of the 2019 season and the aircraft have returned to our winter maintenance base in Florida.

The mission of the Collings Foundation remains steadfast in the goal of making history come alive as we have for over 30 years. Since 1989, the Wings of Freedom Tour has touched the lives of millions, as we have made visits to over 3600 communities in that time. Tens of thousands have flown aboard our Living History Flight Experiences (LHFE) on the B-17, B-24, B-25, and A-1E and flight training on the TP-51C, TF-51D, and TP-40N. In the past week we have received many stories on how powerful and life-changing the tour has been for families and as we move forward, and we expect there are thousands more who have been touched by the Wings of Freedom Tour.

In the coming months, federal agencies will be reviewing the LHFE program for not only our organization, but many other organizations nationwide who continue to fly vintage aircraft as a part of their educational mission. As these reviews take place, we feel it is important for the voices of those impacted by the Wings of Freedom Tour over the years to be heard. We need to let federal agencies know that the LHFE program is important to you and other American citizens as an educational tool.

Please take a moment to add your comments to the current docket regarding the renewal of the Collings Foundation LHFE program with the FAA at the Federal Register. You may do so online at the following link:

https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=FAA-2001-11089-0096

As you write your comment, please review the tips for submitting effective comments from Regulations.gov athttps://www.regulations.gov/docs/Tips_For_Submitting_Effective_Comments.pdf

Thank you for your support of our living history mission.

Best regards,
Rob Collings
Executive Director

08/20/2019
The first underwater veterans memorial is open for divers https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2019/08/05/the-first-underw...
08/08/2019
The first underwater veterans memorial is open for divers

The first underwater veterans memorial is open for divers https://www.militarytimes.com/news/2019/08/05/the-first-underwater-veterans-memorial-is-open-for-divers/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=Socialflow+ARM&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR1JRPBjtAWrz60_GNgYA4HDzrG9XC6kXjzE41qgfinhrMEr9nwdAkHvvOY

Matthews was dedicating the opening of the nationā€™s first underwater dive memorial honoring veterans, located 40 feet below the surface 10 miles off the coast of Dunedin Beach, Florida.

Never stop pushing! From Fox News - World War II vet, 95, is traveling across America on foot in bid to bring historical...
07/24/2019
World War II vet, 95, is traveling across America on foot in bid to bring historical warship back to Normandy

Never stop pushing! From Fox News - World War II vet, 95, is traveling across America on foot in bid to bring historical warship back to Normandy https://www.foxnews.com/us/95-year-old-wwii-vet-running-from-coast-to-coast-to-preserve-historical-warship

A 95-year-old former World War II medic is running from Georgia to California, raising money to preserve a last-of-its-kind amphibious landing ship.

05/27/2019

to Walter Barbo who served with the 432nd, who is curious and would like to attend reunion this year. Unfortunately we are not having reunions for the 475th any longer do to the number of remaining brave and historic members who served with the 475th Fighter Group. Thank you all for your service to our country and have a great Memorial Day!
7:55 AM (40 minutes ago)
to reunionsct

Just curious. Would like to attend if one scheduled this year. Walt Barbo (432nd)

Sent from Walt's iPad

05/15/2019
Maxwell, Robert

America has lost another great American hero.
98 year old WWII veteran, recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, Robert Maxwell. God bless you sir. Rest In Peace. https://vimeo.com/75488235

This is "Maxwell, Robert" by Medal of Honor Foundation on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

The aviation community lost a brilliant and passionate pilot, the world lost a kind and loving human being, and Planes o...
04/25/2019

The aviation community lost a brilliant and passionate pilot, the world lost a kind and loving human being, and Planes of Fame lost a member of its family. These past days we have been privately and quietly grieving the loss of a dear friend. Know that we, and his family, have felt your love through shared memories, photos, and heartfelt sympathy. No words can adequately express our deep sadness at this time or our gratitude for the opportunity to know and work with a man like David Vopat. Our hearts and deepest sympathy go out to his family, friends, and colleagues. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the mission he loved so much. He will be deeply missed and always remembered.

The aviation community lost a brilliant and passionate pilot, the world lost a kind and loving human being, and Planes of Fame lost a member of its family. These past days we have been privately and quietly grieving the loss of a dear friend. Know that we, and his family, have felt your love through shared memories, photos, and heartfelt sympathy. No words can adequately express our deep sadness at this time or our gratitude for the opportunity to know and work with a man like David Vopat. Our hearts and deepest sympathy go out to his family, friends, and colleagues. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the mission he loved so much. He will be deeply missed and always remembered.

Address

Chino Airport At 7000 Merrill Avenue #17
Chino, CA
91710

Opening Hours

Monday 10:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday 10:00 - 17:00
Friday 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 17:00
Sunday 10:00 - 17:00

Telephone

(626) 447-6447

Website

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