Mid-America Air Museum

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Mid-America Air Museum Kansas’ largest aviation museum with 100+ Aircraft We are the largest air museum and the best cultural destination in SW Kansas.
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You won't believe what you will find here!

While the museum has plenty of items from across the globe, this one is different from many of the military items. This ...
10/09/2026

While the museum has plenty of items from across the globe, this one is different from many of the military items. This item was not a war trophy taken from a war-torn country or a medal of valor from the United States. This medal is a French Medal of Honor. This medal is typically meant for French nationals; however, those who have served France and its ideals may receive one.

This medal features a “Maltese Astrick” in front of a laurel (symbol of triumph) with oak (symbol of strength). The middle of the medal carries the emblem of Marianne, the national personification of France.

It belongs to the Légion d'honneur, France’s Legion of Honor. This medal, and the legion it belongs to, were first created in 1802 under the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte. Prior to this creation, all awards established by governing bodies were meant solely for nobility or high-ranking military officers. The Legion of Honor differs in that civilians and soldiers may join its ranks. While previous Monarchical Orders relied on relations to nobility, this was the first Order of Merit and Bravery. Despite France’s rocky history regarding government, the Legion of Honor still remains to this day.

This medal in our collection was awarded to Major Gerald “Jerry” French, given to him sixty-nine years after World War II. He received it for his service with the 450th Bomb Group and during D-Day at Normandy.

Donated by Martha French (Jerry French’s Wife)

The museum will be closed for Columbus Day observance on Tuesday, October 13
10/07/2026

The museum will be closed for Columbus Day observance on Tuesday, October 13

The Bell H-13 helicopter is the military version of the Bell Model 47. In 1947, the U.S. Army Air Forces ordered the upg...
10/02/2026

The Bell H-13 helicopter is the military version of the Bell Model 47. In 1947, the U.S. Army Air Forces ordered the upgraded Bell Model 47A, and in 1948, the U.S. Army ordered its own under the new designation H-13. When the Korean War broke out in 1950, the Bell H-13, now dubbed Souix, was among the first Aircraft to arrive in Korea to aid in the war effort.

During the Korean War, the Souix helicopter had a wide variety of roles, including utility, wire laying, liaison, reconnaissance, and training. The most recognizable role for the public is in medical evacuation flights as part of the M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) unit. M*A*S*H H-13s were used as transport for injured soldiers to life-saving care. While the Souix was smaller than the later Vietnam-era “Huey”, it was still mighty. It could carry injured soldiers, laid on clear carriers attached to the skids.

The museum's Souix is a Bell H-13H. Unfortunately, we do not have a full history of its service. It was built in 1956 and swapped hands (“borrowed,” according to our notes) from the U.S. Army to the U.S. Navy, for what exactly is unknown. Eventually, it made its way to the VFW in Guymon, Oklahoma, and was on display there for 15 years before being donated to the museum. After finding the “borrowed” helicopter, the U.S. Army has added it to its donation list.

Donated by Guymon VFW. Donated by the United States Donations Program Office

The image on the right showcases the carriers for injured soldiers. Credit to the M*A*S*H TV show.

Jack Glasco was born June 3, 1918, in Newlin, Texas. Glasco grew up in Lubbock, Texas, where he learned rattlesnake hunt...
09/25/2026

Jack Glasco was born June 3, 1918, in Newlin, Texas. Glasco grew up in Lubbock, Texas, where he learned rattlesnake hunting from his father. He registered for the draft in October 1940, and by June of 1941, he was enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

While Glasco was a part of the Air Corps, he was not a pilot. Glasco was trained as a photographer. A career that would last for fifty years both in and out of the military. Out of training, Glasco was stationed at the Liberal Army Air Field, and his sole job was to photograph everything. And photograph everything he did. From soldier training to U.S.O. shows to aerials of the base, Jack Glasco photographed it. Of all the photos in the museum regarding the airfield, a majority are attributed to Jack Glasco.

Glasco married Lucille Neely on January 6, 1942. Eventually, they made their way to Alamogordo, New Mexico, where Glasco opened Jack’s Camera Shop. While in New Mexico, he also served at the White Sands Test Facility, a NASA rocket engine test facility, as the lead photographer and a laboratory chief.

Jack Glasco passed away in Alamogordo, New Mexico, on November 1, 2003.
In the photo on the right, Jack Glasco holds a K-36 Aerial Camera at Kelly Field in 1942.

This is referred to as a “Sweetheart” or “Mother” pillow cover. Starting as early as the 1800s, soldiers could have thes...
09/18/2026

This is referred to as a “Sweetheart” or “Mother” pillow cover. Starting as early as the 1800s, soldiers could have these pillow covers made to send home. These covers, especially in earlier years, were hand-sewn and were sometimes sewn by the soldiers themselves. They would sew in poems, letters, or sweet sayings for their loved ones at home. While these covers existed within Europe, they were mostly popularized among American soldiers.

During World War II, “Sweetheart” pillows were often sold in stalls and shops just outside military bases. The covers from these shops were mass-produced pillow covers featuring the base's name and emblems. There are a few cases where soldiers would buy a pillow cover for every base they were stationed at, leaving families with an easy way to track where they had been.

This pillow cover came from our very own Liberal Army Air Field (LAAF). It features: a shield with a torch, the symbol of the U.S. Army Air Force training, the motto “UT VIRI VOLENT”, the motto of the U.S. Army Air Force, which translates to “that men may fly,” and nice golden fringe.

Unfortunately, we do not know who purchased this pillow cover while they were stationed in Liberal, nor do we know the “Sweetheart” or “Mother” they may have sent it to. This was purchased online and donated to us by Lidia Hook-Gray.

09/06/2026

A quick reminder!

We will be closed today, September 6th, as well as on the 7th and 8th. And don't forget to come see us at the Kismet Little World's Fair!

During the weekend of Labor Day, Kismet will be hosting its Annual Kismet Little World's Fair, and we've been invited to...
09/01/2026

During the weekend of Labor Day, Kismet will be hosting its Annual Kismet Little World's Fair, and we've been invited to participate in the parade! We'll bring our Nieuport 11 to be towed by an old Willy's Jeep. We are going to hand out pens, wristbands, balsa gliders, and stickers.

Hope to see you all there!

The museum will be closed on September 6th, 7th, and 8th for Labor Day.
08/31/2026

The museum will be closed on September 6th, 7th, and 8th for Labor Day.

First flown in 1946, the Ryan (Formerly North American) Navion is a small, single-engine, civilian-use aircraft. Built i...
08/21/2026

First flown in 1946, the Ryan (Formerly North American) Navion is a small, single-engine, civilian-use aircraft. Built immediately after the Second World War, this airplane shares some characteristics with the much more famous North American P-51 Mustang. The areas where it is very evident that the design cues were taken are the tail and the cockpit, with a sliding glass canopy just like the legendary fighter. It was originally designed for returning pilots to buy as a family plane. This airplane has an all-metal airframe, retractable landing gear, and a small 185 horsepower Continental O-470 engine that would power the plane to a top speed of 174 miles per hour.

The Navion was also revered in South America, especially in Argentina. The ranchers and pilots loved that the Navion had a very durable frame and very strong landing gear that made it perfect for landing in muddy or rough pastureland. The Navion was also very stable in storms and rougher weather conditions, which gave pilots some added confidence.

Our Navion is the L-17A variant, meaning it was used by the United States military as a liaison and staff transport aircraft. During the Korean War, they were used for casualty evacuation and forward air controllers. Ours is one of eighty-three L-17A Navions ever produced.

Donated by Colonel Tom A. Thomas Jr.

Black-and-white photo: Ryan L-17B Navion on USS Leyte

Larry D. Welch was born June 9, 1934, in Guymon, Oklahoma, and graduated from Liberal High School in 1952. He enlisted ...
08/14/2026

Larry D. Welch was born June 9, 1934, in Guymon, Oklahoma, and graduated from Liberal High School in 1952. He enlisted in the Kansas National Guard in October, 1951, serving with the 161st Armored Field Artillery, until he enlisted in the United States Air Force. In November, 1953, he entered the aviation cadet program and received his pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant.

General Welch flew combat missions as an F-4C pilot in the Vietnam War. He served from 1984 to 1985 as the 21st Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and then served from 1986 to 1990 as the 12th Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

General Welch is a command pilot with more than 6,500 flying hours. His military decorations and awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with six oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Meritorious Unit Award and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with “V” device and two oak leaf clusters.

General Welch was promoted to General on August 1, 1984, with the same date of rank, and retired on July 1, 1990.

While stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas, General Welch married the former Eunice Ellis of Liberal on May 26, 1956. Together they have 4 children, 3 sons and 1 daughter.

The museum is proud to have on display several of General Welch’s personal artifacts from his time of service in the United States Air Force.

Address

2000 West 2nd Street
Liberal, KS
67901

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

(620) 624-5263

Website

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