390th Memorial Museum Foundation

06/16/2026

06/10/2026

Give Dad something with history, meaning, and a story behind it.

From signed editions of WWII autobiographies to commemorative coins, apparel, and one-of-a-kind memorabilia these are gifts he’ll actually remember.

🛒 Shop now before Father’s Day arrives!

06/06/2026

Today we remember and honor the courage, sacrifice, and determination of the Allied forces who stormed the beaches of Normandy in one of the most pivotal moments of World War II.

Did you know the 390th Bomb Group flew three missions on D-Day? As part of a massive and meticulously coordinated aerial operation involving over 12,000 aircraft, their efforts helped shape the success of the invasion.

By the end of D-Day, the Eighth Air Force alone had dropped more than 3,500 tons of bombs, playing a crucial role in securing the Allied foothold in Normandy.

At the 390th Memorial Museum, we are honored to preserve a powerful symbol of that day—a flag carried ashore on Utah Beach on June 6, 1944, now proudly on display.

As we reflect on the events of D-Day, we remember the bravery of those who served—both in the air and on the ground—and the freedom their sacrifice secured.

We will never forget.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation.

At the 390th Memorial Museum, that remembrance carries special meaning. The stories preserved here are not just history they are personal sacrifices, unfinished futures, and enduring legacies.

Today we honor all who made the ultimate sacrifice, including the airmen of the 390th Bomb Group and all those who served beside them.

Their duty was to serve. Ours is to remember.

05/16/2026

A surprise bit of 390th history turned up in the California desert.

While flying into Blythe, Roger and Irene of Outside the Cockpit discovered a historical marker commemorating the activation of the 390th Bomb Group at Blythe Army Air Field in February 1943.

Long before our crews crossed the skies over Europe, their journey began here, training in the desert at a base that also played a vital role in United States Army Desert Training Center preparing troops under General Patton.

Dedicated in 1993 by the 390th Bomb Group Veterans Association, this marker is a reminder that every combat story starts somewhere and for the 390th, it started in Blythe.

We flew into Blythe Airport (KBLH) expecting a quiet fuel stop and discovered far more than we imagined, from WWII Army Airfield history and forgotten relics...

05/10/2026

The Mothers of Crew #42

On May 14, 1944, 390th co-pilot Henry J. Gerards wrote to his mother wishing her a happy Mother’s Day. Two weeks after the letter was posted, Henry was shot down during a mission to Magdeburg, Germany on May 28, when he became a Prisoner of War in N**i Germany.

In the wake of the disappearance of Crew #42, an extraordinary correspondence was struck up between the mothers of Henry, Jerry Wolf, Quentin R. Bass, Leon C. Walker, and Joseph P. Freyland. The five women, strangers united by a common grief and anxiety, offered one other mutual solace as they awaited news of their sons’ fates, expressing the same hopeful sentiment “that someday we will have them returned to us.” Ollie Walker, who had already lost one son to combat, wrote to Mrs. Gerards, “You know I can sympathize with you if anybody at all can, still nothing we can say or do can heal our broken hearts.” These letters, and more written by 390th servicemembers and their families, are preserved in our archival collections. A selection of these letters will be on display in the Museum during the month of May.

This Mother’s Day, the 390th Memorial Museum honors all mothers who have sent their sons to war.

05/08/2026

Today we remember May 8, 1945 — the day Allied nations celebrated Victory in Europe and the end of World War II in Europe after nearly six years of conflict.

On this 81st anniversary of VE Day, we honor the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the men and women who fought for freedom, both on the front lines and on the home front. Their legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Lest we forget.

04/20/2026

New exhibit at the 390th Memorial Museum. A downed American airman and a German soldier taking him into custody.

They need names.

Drop your suggestions below. Keep it respectful, keep it clever, bonus points for historical flavor.