Grissom Air Museum

06/20/2026

[FLY LIKE AN EAGLE] Today is American Eagle Day, commemorating the U.S.’s official bird – the Bald Eagle! The Continental Congress adopted the Great Seal of the United States on June 20, 1782, which included the bald eagle in the middle. Incidentally, the bald eagle was not *officially* adopted as the national bird until 2024!

Below are some fun facts about the Bald Eagle and if you’d like to have one of your own (which is very illegal), we can help you out with our new Flipkins Bald Eagles. Now for sale in the gift shop for $9.99, you can celebrate American Eagle Day all year-round!

*The early founders of America were greatly influenced by the Roman Republic, from the structure of our system of representation to the designs of our national monuments. It is believed that this admiration for the Republic is why the eagle was chosen to be on the Great Seal. The Republic (and later Empire) favored the use of eagle imagery, and it could be found everywhere – from military standards to coinage.

*The bald eagle is the only sea eagle endemic to North America and can be found in all three countries. The largest concentration of bald eagles is in the Pacific Northwest as they tend to favor heavily wooded wetlands for nesting and raising their chicks.

*Space Force is the only federal military branch that does not have any official seal or emblem featuring the bald eagle. The Coast Guard’s primary (and most well-known) emblem does not feature the eagle, but its secondary imagery does.

*When it came to nose art in World War II, imagery involving bald eagles was not as popular as the ladies. But a few examples exist, among them the art of Don Allen and Fred Rice of the 334th and 336th Bomb Wings (respectively). The images you see here come from the 4th Fighter Group Association and you can see more examples of this artwork here http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/nose-art-gallery.html

06/19/2026

Celebrating the stories behind the history with Capt. Manuel "Rocky" Cervantes, Jr.

To support the Hoosier Cold War Gallery, visit here:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/cervantesbuildinghoosiercoldwargallery/

The commemorative coins will be mailed in mid-July.

06/17/2026

Due to the impending storm the museum has closed early so staff can make it safely home. Please be safe and aware. If all goes well, we plan on being open tomorrow our regular hours. Updates will be made here on Facebook as we know more.

06/17/2026

[DISCOVERY A NEW STORY TODAY!] Looking for something new to discover? The Grissom Air Museum can help you out with our seven (!) exhibits currently on display. From a rare Spandau machine gun used in World War I (Freedom's Fire Power) to a collective 82 years of military service (Faces of Grissom), there is plenty to discover this summer at the GAM!

06/16/2026

[CAMPY!] The GAM will be offering special weekend parking for RVs during the Grissom Air & Space Expo as a fundraiser for the museum's operations! Each 20' x 50' pull-through spot will be located in the museum's western field, within walking distance of the Air Show, Leaning Tree Golf Course, and the museum. The cost per spot is $200.00 and includes free admission to the museum! For full details and to register, visit: https://tinyurl.com/mpkr2sbd

06/14/2026

06/12/2026

[WAVE IT PROUDLY!] Flag Day is coming up and if you're not ready, the GAM can help you! Swing by The Gift Hangar to pick up one or more of our 18" x 12" cotton flags for only $4.00. American made, these sturdy flags are designed for all weather and on a 30" stick, perfect for waving or displaying. 100% of your purchase supposed the GAM's mission to preserve and share the story of military aviation during the Cold War.

06/08/2026

[VENDOR OPPORTUNITY] Registration is now live for the 2026 Warbird Cruise-in Vendor Application! Registration is open to:

*Food Vendors (truck or booth), prepared on-site
*Food Vendors (truck or booth), prepackaged
*Art & Crafts (produced by seller)
*Merchandise (not produced by the seller)
*Business/ NPO (information, activities, can sell or goods/services)
*Swap Meet (vehicle parts/ accessories, etc.)

Limited water and electric options available - first come, first serve base on registration receipt. Booth fees range from $40 to $75 per spot and vendors can register for up to three spots (10x10 for general booths, 10x20 for swap meet). To secure your spot for August 1st, visit here: https://tinyurl.com/yeyp2rwk

06/06/2026

[TODAY IN MILITARY HISTORY] Today is the anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Among the many storied tales of the day are the aircraft and vehicles that made the day happen. In the wee hours of June 5, the C-47 Skytrain, loaded with paratroopers, made their way to the shores of Normandy and into the history books.

The C-47 Skytrain's design comes from a civilian airliner built by Douglas Aircraft Company in 1936. This aircraft, known as the DC-3, was modified for use in the Army Air Force, which included adding more powerful engines, strengthening the fuselage, and the addition of large cargo doors. During its run, over 10,000 C-47s were built, serving in every theater of the war and with every branch of the US military. They helped transport cargo and troops to and from the front lines, flew dangerous resupply and casualty evacuation missions, and carried paratroopers to their targets.

Known as the “Vomit Comet” by paratroopers due to the often bumpy ride over heavily defended drop zones, C-47 aircraft played an invaluable role in the success of the D-Day operation. In the waning hours of June 5, 1944, more than 1000 C-47s transported over 13,000 US paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, as well as serving as towing vehicles for nearly 4,000 more infantry units operating from glider aircraft. These soldiers were part of the first action inside N**i occupied territory in the pre-dawn hours of D-Day, harassing German defensive positions and attempting to cut off inland access to the beach heads so the defenders could not resupply.

D-Day was just one piece of the long and storied history of the C-47 Skytrain, and part of that history sits with our C-47 located in the GAM Airpark.