Georgia World War II Heritage Trail

H+STEM Day at the Mighty Eighth
2025-08-16 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Halifax) | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
Motor Pool H+STEM Day at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler, Georgia
Touch, Tinker, Learn: From Trucks to TakeoffSaturday, August 16, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.Admission: $6 per guest | Members Free
Join us at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force for Motor Pool, a special H+STEM Day where young learners explore how things move—from trucks and planes to gears and engines. This program is designed for children ages 5 to 10 and focuses on simple and complex machines, including the forces of flight and the mechanics of motion.
Activities include:

Hands-on STEM learning stations

Experience a rare, ground-level look inside the historic B-17 Flying Fortress, with interpretation from museum docents

Touch-a-Truck and Touch-a-Plane experiences

STEM sessions led by Southern Company Educator Wayne Grimes (three sessions during the day)

Learn how history and engineering connect through this engaging program that brings the Mighty Eighth’s wartime logistics and aviation history to life.
For more information, visit www.mightyeighth.org or contact us at (912) 748-8888.
175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, Georgia, 31322

Author Talk at the Mighty 8th
2025-06-21 11:00 - 13:00 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s monthly Author Talk series is proud to present Dr. Rebecca Youngblood Vaughn, who will be discussing her father’s story in Crumm’s Crew | B-17 Jack the Ripper. This event will take place on June 21st at 11:00 am at the museum. The event is free to the public, but registration is required. Please register here.
About S/Sgt. Rufus Youngblood
Flew on ‘Jack the Ripper’ with Capt. William J. Crumm’s crew – the first 8th Air Force crew to return to the US to consult with the War Department, participate in a training manual for new recruits, and a bond selling tour in Feb. 1943. He then became a 2nd Lt. Navigator and was dual training as an Engineer-Navigator on B-29s when the war ended. After the war, he joined the Secret Service and became the deputy director (1951-1971). He was present when President Kennedy was shot and flung himself over Vice President Lyndon Johnson to shield him when shots were being fired and received the Treasury Dept.’s Exceptional Service Award for his actions.
About the Presenter
Rebecca Youngblood Vaughn, MD, is the youngest daughter of Rufus and Peggy Youngblood. She is a physician and published author. While researching her parent’s history to write their life stories, Vaughn re-discovered the veritable treasure-trove of mementos from her father’s 20-year tenure as a high-profile Secret Service Agent and created a new edition of his memoir, 20 Years in the Secret Service: My Life With Five Presidents. The mother of two young adults, she lives in Acworth, Georgia, with her husband of 31 years. Vaughn is a speaker who brings her father’s legacy to life by sharing his frontline point-of-view of some of the most pivotal moments in U.S. history.

Camp Toccoa D-Day Commemorative USO Show
2025-06-07 18:00 - 21:00 | Camp Toccoa at Currahee, 2351 Ayersville Road, Toccoa, GA, 30577, United States

Camp Toccoa D-Day Run/Walk
2025-06-07 07:00 - 10:00 | Camp Toccoa at Currahee, 2351 Ayersville Road, Toccoa, GA, 30577, United States

Flags for the Fallen
2025-05-23 10:00 - 2025-05-27 17:00 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force honors and remembers the 26,000 airmen of the Eighth Air Force in World War II who never returned home with Flags for the Fallen: 26,000 Flags | One Mission.
This unique memorial flag garden of remembrance includes a 48-star American flag for each of the 26,000 men lost. The men of the Eighth in WWII served and were buried, under this flag.
The public is invited to experience the garden from May 23rd through Memorial Day, May 26th, 2025.
The mission of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is to preserve and share the stories of the heroes of the Eighth; each of these flags represents a hero who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Airbase Georgia Open House
2025-05-10 10:00 - 16:00 | Commemorative Air Force Airbase Georgia, 1200 Echo Ct, Peachtree City, GA, 30269, United States

Salute to Victory at the Mighty 8th
2025-05-08 10:00 - 15:00 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
Thursday, May 8, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force invites the public to join in commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day with Salute to Victory, a special one-day educational celebration honoring the end of World War II in Europe.

From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., visitors of all ages (3 to 103+) can enjoy a day filled with interactive, hands-on activities designed to bring history to life. This engaging event will highlight key moments from the closing chapters of WWII, including Victory in Europe Day, Operation Chowhound and Operation Manna, and the liberation of POW camps.

Event Details:Salute to Victory | Celebrating 80 Years of Victory in Europe DayDate: Thursday, May 8, 2025Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Location: National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air ForceAdmission: $6 per child or adultWWII Veterans and children under 6 are always FREE.Museum Members enjoy FREE admission.

VE Day
2025-05-08

Author Talk & Book Launch with Robert Edsel
2025-04-23 11:00 - 13:00 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is honored to host New York Times bestselling author Robert M. Edsel as part of the museum’s Author Talk series on Wednesday, April 23, at 11:00 a.m. This special program marks the launch of his highly anticipated new book, Remember Us: American Sacrifice, Dutch Freedom, and a Forever Promise Forged in World War II, set for release on April 29, 2025, with Harper Horizon.

This program is free and open to the public, registration is requested at https://forms.gle/pdCnqp9RDNEWv3F3A

About the Book:Remember Us begins in the pre-dawn hours of Hitler’s invasion of Western Europe on May 10, 1940, when his forces rolled into the small province of Limburg in the Netherlands, shattering more than 100 years of peace. After enduring more than four years of occupation, the Dutch people saw their freedom restored when American forces reached Limburg in September 1944. This marked the final portion of the Allies’ liberation of Western Europe before their advance on Nazi Germany was halted.
Remember Us is a compelling ensemble narrative that chronicles the lives of twelve central characters over a six-year span including Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cole, the first member of the 101st Airborne to receive the Medal of Honor; Sergeant Jeff Wiggins of the 960th Quartermaster Company, who escaped the poverty and racism of Alabama only to face a new indignity: digging graves in wartime Europe; and Frieda van Schäik, a teenager who falls in love with an American soldier.

In this rich, dramatic, and suspenseful story, both the horrors of war and the transcendent power of gratitude are captured, showcasing the extraordinary measures the Dutch have taken to thank their liberators. Drawing on never-before-seen letters, diaries, and other historical records, Edsel shows the painful price of freedom, on the battlefields and inside American homes. Remember Us is a reminder that grief is universal, that humanity knows no national or racial boundaries, and that we all want to be remembered, somehow, someway, by somebody.

About the AuthorRobert M. Edsel is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of four non-fiction books including Rescuing da Vinci, Saving Italy, and The Monuments Men, which served as the basis for Academy Award recipient George Clooney’s 2014 film. Mr. Edsel has been honored with the Texas Medal of the Arts; the President’s Call to Service Award; the Hope for Humanity Award, presented by the Dallas Holocaust Museum; and the Foundation for the National Archives’ Records of Achievement Award.

In 2022, the United States Army and the Smithsonian Institution made Mr. Edsel an honorary graduate of the first Army Monuments Officer Training Program, an idea Mr. Edsel advocated for nearly twenty years. Mr. Edsel is also the Founder and Chairman of the Monuments Men and Women Foundation, recipient of the National Humanities Medal, awarded by President George W. Bush.

Author Talk | Tuskegee Airmen at the Mighty Eighth
2025-03-26 11:00 - 13:00 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s Author Talk series proudly presents Bob Sheppard, sharing the powerful story of his father, MSgt. James Sheppard, and his service with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. Join us Wednesday, March 26, at 11:00 a.m. at the museum for this inspiring presentation.
This program is free to the public, but registration is requested https://forms.gle/ChW2HSVa5cuXMQ3Q8
About the Talk
Growing up in the 1960s and ’70s, Bob Sheppard and his siblings had no idea that their father, MSgt. James Sheppard, had served in an all-Black segregated unit of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. It wasn’t until later in life that Bob had the opportunity to accompany his father to air shows, speaking engagements, and special events, meeting the legendary Tuskegee Airmen and learning firsthand about their courage, resilience, and service.
After his father was no longer able to travel, Bob stepped in to carry forward his story. Since MSgt. Sheppard’s passing in 2018, Bob traveled the country, sharing his father’s experiences and the lasting legacy of the famed 332nd Fighter Group.
Now, audiences will have the unique opportunity to hear Bob Sheppard’s compelling presentation, where he will share a deeply personal account of hardship, determination, and triumph. His talk will include a segment from a documentary he co-produced, offering a powerful glimpse into his father’s journey—from training in Alabama and Michigan to serving in Italy at the height of WWII.
About the Speaker
A veteran of the broadcasting, financial services, and corporate sustainability industries, Bob Sheppard retired after leading sales and marketing efforts for a U.S. firm specializing in commercial and industrial drones. His passion for history and storytelling now fuels his mission to ensure that the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen continues to inspire future generations.

Third Annual "Wings & Things" Festival & Fly-in
2025-03-22 09:00 - 16:00 | WWII Flight Training Base Douglas, GA, 1 Airport Circle, DOUGLAS, GA, 31533, United States

Author Talk | Girls in a World at War at the Mighty 8th
2025-03-21 11:00 - 13:00 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s Author Talk series is proud to present Peggy Scholberg, who will discuss her latest book, Girls in a World at War on Wednesday March 21st at 11:00 a.m. at the museum.
The program is free to the public, but registration is requested https://forms.gle/adPXQ5JVD6yvMrTB7
About the Book
After visiting a friend who returned from World War II confined in a body cast, Kathy Collens felt compelled to enlist in the war effort. In 1944, at the age of 23, she joined the Army. Despite her background as a college-educated dietician from an affluent family, and having attended the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Kathy discovered nothing could fully prepare her for the realities of war.
​Girls in a World at War offers a firsthand account of Kathy and four other young women who served in the 223rd General Hospital. Stationed in France, they operated out of a converted horse barn situated near the 82nd Airborne quarters and in close proximity to the Battle of the Bulge. Their patients included survivors released from the Dachau concentration camp.
​The narrative unfolds with vivid descriptions of crossing the Atlantic, lodging in a castle, working with German prisoners of war, and attempts to make dehydrated food and Spam taste good. The book describes the experiences of weddings, a paratroopers’ jump-off dance, and the surprise of a baby’s birth, immersing readers in the narrative. Their adventures included interludes in Switzerland, sailing in the Mediterranean, and the jubilation of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. The story also touches on visits to Paris, Biarritz, and trips to the magnificent Reims Cathedral to see ‘The Angel of the Smile’ statue and attend a memorable Christmas Eve service. Romantic entanglements add another layer of complexity to the girls’ wartime journey.
​Throughout their trials, these women provided invaluable support to each other, navigating the tragedies of war with resilience and camaraderie. As readers engage with their stories, they’ll find themselves laughing and perhaps shedding a tear, gaining a rare insight into the female perspective of war, grounded in real-life events.

National Rosie the Riveter Day
2025-03-21

Author Talk | Vanished in Valor at the Mighty 8th
2025-03-12 11:00 - 13:00 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
Chatham County, GA – The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s Author Talk series is proud to present Dr. Michael Darter, who will discuss his best-selling book, Vanished in Valor | Cold Case Search for my MIA Brother on Wednesday March 12h, at 11:00 a.m. at the museum.
The program is free to the public, but registration is requested https://forms.gle/VdbuxJMSwNWLMqgK9
About the Book
Vanished In Valor unravels the true story of Staff Sergeant Eugene F. Darter, a crew member in the esteemed 8th Air Force during World War II. Originally recruited by the US Navy in 1931 to become an undercover investigator of subversive activities, he later went on to become a private detective investigator and then joined the Army Air Force war effort in 1942. During his last furlough home, he formed a deep bond with his younger brother, Michael, before heading to the bloody World War frontlines. In 1943 a fierce battle raged over Nazi-occupied Europe, and every day young airmen faced great risk of injury and death. Eugene and his crew embarked on a perilous mission that led to injuries and imprisonment of seven (POW), and the mysterious disappearance of three who never returned at the end of the war (MIA), including Eugene.
Decades of mourning and speculation followed, with Michael vowing to uncover the truth of his brother’s vanishment. In 2000, a serendipitous internet search led to the incredible discovery of four surviving crewmates, who shared what they knew about Eugene and the two pilots, and the rest of the crew during fierce aerial combat. These and other discoveries ignited an investigative journey through eye-witnesses’ stories of heroism, love, loss, and miracles.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Darter, a dedicated author and engineering professor, who has devoted years of his life to discovering the fate of his brother Eugene and crewmates. With meticulous research, Vanished In Valor presents a strong tribute to their sacrifice. Michael has engaged with surviving crewmates, families, veterans, institutions, archives, and fellow researchers, weaving together the tapestry of their fateful mission. In his endeavor to honor the fallen and offer closure, Michael sheds light on the horrors of war, where so many airmen paid the ultimate sacrifice, never to return home. The latest search for Eugene’s remains led to the review of more than 800 X-files of buried, unknown Americans in Europe, and the discovery of a few potential matches with Eugene that after further documentation will be submitted to the US Government for DNA testing. Dr. Darter advocates for more DNA testing of remains of unknowns to “Bring Them Home,” to better preserve and honor their ultimate sacrifice.

Thoaston - Upson Archaeology Day
2025-03-08 12:00 - 16:00 | Thomaston Goes to War, 800 Church Street, Thomaston, GA, 30286, United States

Museum of Aviation for Family Aviation Day!
2025-03-08 08:00 - 17:00
Mark your calendars!! Join the Museum of Aviation for Family Aviation Day! Our FREE event will have open cockpits and aircraft to explore, WWII re-enactors to engage with, exciting STEM activities, pilots and guides telling their own fascinating stories tied with the aircraft, and much more! We can’t wait to welcome you!

For more information, please visit our website at: https://museumofaviation.org/moa…/family-aviation-day-moa/

H+STEM Day at the Mighty 8th
2025-03-01 10:00 - 14:00 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
Explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Through the Lens of World War II. The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force invites families, students, and educators to a day of discovery and innovation at H+STEM Day on Saturday, March 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This engaging event will showcase the exciting connections between history and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), highlighting the incredible advancements that shaped World War II and continue to impact the world today.
From aerodynamics and cryptography to medical innovations and engineering feats, attendees will explore hands-on activities and gain a deeper understanding of how science and technology played a critical role in the success of the Eighth Air Force during the war.
“We’re excited to bring STEM to life through history,” said Heather Thies, Director of Education at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. “This event allows visitors to see firsthand how wartime innovations paved the way for modern advancements in aviation, medicine, and engineering.”
Thanks to a generous grant provided by the Georgia Department of Education, admission is free for all H+STEM participants. Whether you’re a history buff, a science enthusiast, or just looking for a fun family outing, H+STEM Day promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Author Talk at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
2025-02-26 11:00 - 13:00 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s monthly Author Talk series is proud to present author Rona Simmons, who will be discussing her latest book No Average Day: The 24 Hours of October 24,1944. This program will take place on February 26th at 11:00 am at the museum.
The program is free to the public, but please register at https://forms.gle/W1U571VXPtmS4beN6
Optional Lunch: Join us for an optional lunch afterwards. $10/12 cash/credit for members or $15/17cash/credit for non-members.
About the Book
On Tuesday, October 24, 1944, nearly three years after the United States entered World War II, over 2,600 Americans perished—more than on any other single day of the conflict—yet the day remains overshadowed by more widely remembered dates in WWII history. Drawing from the accounts of men from diverse backgrounds who served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Corps, Rona Simmons offers a gripping retelling of the fateful day, hour by hour and incident by incident. The book begins with Army Private First Class Paul Miller’s demise in a prisoner of war camp and ends with the death of Navy Seaman Second Class Wanza E. Matthews after the Japanese submarine I-56 attacked his ship off New Guinea. The sinking of the Japanese “hellship” Arisan Maru—a lesser-known tragedy of the war—looms large, deftly interwoven through each part of the narrative.
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of No Average Day is its attention to the human side of conflict, telling the stories of ordinary individuals—clerks, radio operators, cooks, sailors, machinist mates, riflemen, and pilots and their air crews—as they grapple with the horrors of the war. Despite its narrow focus, or perhaps because of it, No Average Day reveals the vastness of World War II through consideration of the largely overlooked events that unfolded on what, for members of the US Armed Forces, was its deadliest day.
About the Author
Rona Simmons has authored historical fiction and nonfiction. Both A Gathering of Men and The Other Veterans of World War II: Stories from Behind the Front Lines shed light on little-known aspects of the Second World War. She is the daughter of a WWII fighter pilot and wife of a US Navy pilot and is proud to honor veterans and their stories through her work. Her articles and interviews have appeared in regional and national literary journals and in online and print magazines and newspapers.

GA WWII Heritage Trail Anniversary
2025-02-21 08:00 - 17:00
Happy Fourth Anniversary to our Trail Partners! On February 16, 2021, the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail was launched. “Discover Georgia’s legacy of inspiring wartime stories at the sites that make up the new World War II Heritage Trail. Southern states were critical to the war effort during World War II (1941-1945), and none more so than Georgia. Over 300,000 Georgians served in the military, and thousands of civilians worked in rapidly expanding defense industries. Ten sites across the state have partnered to bring a new experience to visitors, families, and groups.” We are now eleven Partners with more stories to tell of the Greatest Generation. See you on the Trail.

Author Talk at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
2025-02-20 11:00 - 13:00 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s monthly Author Talk series is proud to present author & astronaut Jan Davis, PhD., who will be discussing how her father spent his time as a POW during World War II in Air Born: Artistic Musings of a WWII Pilot & POW. This event will take place on February 20th at 11:00 am at the museum.

Optional Lunch: Join us for an optional lunch afterwards. $10/12 cash/credit for members or $15/17cash/credit for non-members.

The program is free to the public, but registration is required: https://forms.gle/n6WXLfiYKyjUQkPq7

About the BookWhen lifelong artist and World War II B-17 pilot Ben Smotherman was shot down over Holland in July 1943, he was soon captured and interrogated by the Luftwaffe at Dulag Luft. Upon being transferred to the Luftwaffe camp Stalag Luft III, he found himself a prisoner of war (POW), held captive with countless other men who ached for a connection home and freedom.
During his time in captivity, Ben kept his Wartime Log to chronicle his daily life – with the unique inclusion of beautiful watercolor paintings and pencil drawings. In addition, he applied his talents to create PENNY, an engaging and well-loved comic strip following a female war correspondent of the same name. This comic strip not only entertained and enthralled his audiences with each new issue – it gave them hope.
Ben Smotherman’s experiences and artistic renderings are masterfully captured in Jan Davis’ Air Born: Artistic Musings of a WWII Pilot & POW. In this companion piece to Air Born: Two Generations in Flight, readers will get an inside look at what it felt like to be a POW during WWII. Although Ben couldn’t freely describe what he and his fellow POWs endured while in captivity due to censoring, this book paints a comprehensive picture with his Wartime Log paired with Jan’s contextual explanations. Further, it depicts each of the ninety-six PENNY comic strips that Ben developed and illustrated himself. Without a doubt, this second Air Born volume is a don’t-miss read for anyone interested in the history of WWII.

About the AuthorBorn at Patrick Air Force Base and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Jan Davis has been surrounded by aviation and space her entire life. She followed up her biomedical engineering degree from Georgia Institute of Technology with a mechanical engineering degree from Auburn University and a Ph.D. from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. During her career, she worked as an engineer for Texaco and for NASA before being selected as an astronaut in 1987. Davis flew on three Space Shuttle missions as an astronaut mission specialist and continued her NASA career in the Senior Executive Service. After her retirement from NASA, she went on to become an industry executive and subsequently published her debut book, Air Born: Two Generations in Flight, in 2025. Now a consultant and speaker, she also enjoys traveling, quilting, exploring the outdoors, and working with her non-profit organization, AstraFemina, to encourage girls to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math careers. Jan also currently serves on the Board at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.

2025 Super Museum Sunday
2025-02-09 12:00 - 16:00
Explore history, arts, and culture in communities throughout Georgia as over 100 museums and historic sites across the state open to the public for free during this popular event organized as part of the annual Georgia History Festival. Check out our Partners on the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail.

Author Talk at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
2025-02-01 11:00 - 13:00 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s monthly Author Talk series is proud to present Kaitlin Oster, who will be discussing her grandparents love story in Letters to Loretta: The World War II Love Letter Story of Harold & Loretta Schwerdt. This event will take place on February 1st at 11:00 am at the museum.
The event is free to the public, but registration is required. Please register here.

Optional Lunch: Join us for an optional lunch afterwards. $12cash/credit for members or $15 cash/credit for non-members.

About the PresenterKaitlin Oster is the creator of The Letters to Loretta Series and currently a professor of English and American Cinema Genres based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Prior to earning her Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting from the David Lynch School of Cinematic Arts, she spent much her childhood in the company of her grandparents, Harold and Loretta, at their small creekfront house on Long Island. After Loretta’s passing in 2007, Harold gifted Kaitlin a small box stuffed with around 120 letters, and she read and transcribed them all to both work through her own grief and preserve her grandparents’ story. After losing Harold in 2019, Kaitlin found herself on a years-long deep-dive into the stark conditions of Stalag XVII-B prison camp, since most of the letters were written on German prison parchment. The Letters to Loretta Series was created to show not only the atrocities of war, but the power of the human will—and with the support of award-winning journalist Alex Hollings—Kaitlin was given a 35-week platform on Sandboxx News to share this story. Throughout the five years that she worked on this project, Kaitlin’s message has always been clear—love is the greatest weapon of all—and she is honored to share her grandparents’ journey to the public with the support of the Museum of the Mighty 8th.

Eighth Air Force's 83rd Anniversary
2025-01-28 10:00 - 17:00 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force is excited to invite you to the museum on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, to celebrate the 83rd anniversary of the creation of the Eighth Air Force.
On January 28, 1942, the charter for the Eighth Air Force was created in a former National Guard Armory in Savannah, Georgia. The Eighth Air Force played a crucial role in the Allied victory during World War II and continues to serve as a vital part of our nation’s defense.
To honor this historic occasion, we are offering discounted admission for only $8. This is a great opportunity to explore the exhibits and learn more about the history of the Eighth Air Force. We hope to see you!

H+STEM Day at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
2025-01-18 10:00 - 15:00 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force will be hosting a student educational day event on Saturday, January 18. The focus is SPACE Exploration from WWII to the present. Hands on activities are included! 10am-3pm
Admission is $6.00 for students/adults! Children under 6, WWII veterans and members are always free!

Author Talk at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
2024-12-07 11:00 - 12:30 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s Author Talk series is proud to present Carole Engle Avriett, who will read and discuss her book, Midnight in Ironbottom Sound: The Harrowing Story of Heroism in the Shark-Infested Waters of the Guadalcanal with a special introduction by Rear Admiral Cedric Pringle. This program will take place on Saturday, December 7h, at 11:00 a.m. at the museum.
The program is free to the public, but registration is requested https://forms.gle/75rsYoGWCsNSMzem9
About the Book:
In Midnight in Ironbottom Sound, Carole Engle Avriett brings to light the heroic yet overlooked story of the USS Gregory, a “minor” vessel in World War II that played a crucial role in the Pacific. Focusing on Lt. Commander Harry F. Bauer and Mess Attendant Charles J. French—two men from opposite ranks—Avriett captures their courage and resilience as they faced unrelenting battles to transport Marine Raiders. Through vivid storytelling, this book honors the ship’s brave crew and reminds us that valor knows no rank or color, only dedication and courage.
About the Author:
Carole Engle Avriett is a the nationally known speaker and author of the bestselling Coffin Corner Boys: One Bomber, Ten Men, and their Harrowing Escape from Nazi-Occupied France. Currently, she invests her skills full time in writing Christian books and military history memoirs, as well as hosting a weekly Bible study and leading women’s conferences—often sharing her powerful testimony of personal struggle until Christ came into her life at the age of thirty. She and her husband live in central Florida.
About the Admiral:
Rear Admiral Cedric E. Pringle, the 31st Commandant of the National War College in Washington, D.C., oversees academic policies, curriculum, and classroom excellence. A University of South Carolina graduate, he holds master’s degrees in Financial Management and National Security Strategy. His distinguished sea service includes engineering roles on the USS Ranger and USS Portland, command of USS Whidbey Island during Hurricane Katrina relief, and leadership of the Navy’s first hybrid propulsion ship, USS Makin Island. Ashore, he has served in strategic roles, including Navy Senate Liaison and Joint Task Force Matthew commander. His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Navy’s Stars and Stripes Award.

Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Day
2024-12-06 10:00 - 11:00 | WWII Flight Training Base Douglas, GA, 1 Airport Circle, DOUGLAS, GA, 31533, United States
The WWII Flight Training Museum in collaboration with the Douglas Coffee County Veterans Park Committee will host the Annual Pearl Habor Remembrance Day Event at the WWII Flight Training Base in Douglas, Georgia. The event is on Friday December 6th at 10a.
Class 1942-D, the first class of aviation cadets arrived at the 63rd Flying Training Detachment (Primary) in Douglas, Georgia on October 5, 1941. They completed their training here on December 12, 1941, before they went on to further training. These young men arrived to learn to fly and left to prepare for combat. So, it is fitting this year’s Pearl Harbor Day event be held on the historic WWII Flight Training Base and newly dedicated Cadet Park.
The program includes a welcome by the Mayor of Douglas, presentation of the Colors by Coffee High JNROTC cadets, the pledge of allegiance and singing of our National Anthem by students from Citizens Christian Academy students, local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars essay winners, and flyover by a PT-17 Stearman. WWII reenactors plan to be present with special displays. The Museum will also be open for tours.
Come join us as we “Remember Pearl Harbor” and what this day means to our Nation’s history. Will we see you there?

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day & Ceremony at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
2024-12-01 14:00 - 15:00 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States

Cadet Park and Charles Loring Memorial Dedication
2024-11-22 10:00 - 11:00 | WWII Flight Training Base Douglas, GA, 1 Airport Circle, DOUGLAS, GA, 31533, United States

Author Talk at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
2024-11-20 11:00 - 12:30 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s Author Talk series is proud to present Karen Hoaglund & Donna Burgard, who discuss the story of Lt. John R. “Bob” Hanzlik in Memoir of a World War II B-24 Pilot | The Story in His Own Words. This program will take place on Wednesday, November 20th, at 11:00 a.m. at the museum.
This program is free to the public, but registration is requested at https://forms.gle/9qhHn4zb4cejJDo57
About the Book:
This powerful story brings WWII history to life through the vivid, unfiltered letters of a young aviator. In his own words, readers witness his journey from a fresh-faced recruit to a battle-hardened combat pilot and, ultimately, a prisoner of war—all within three transformative years. Through his candid letters to his mother and father, we see a rare, intimate view of his daily experiences, capturing moments of humor, resilience, and raw honesty. Rediscovered decades later, these letters are a poignant gift, offering an authentic glimpse into one man’s personal wartime journey and his unwavering connection with family.

Author Talk at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force
2024-11-13 11:00 - 12:30 | National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, GA, 31322, United States
The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force’s Author Talk series is proud to present John Patrick Murphy, who will read and discuss his collection of poetry, World War II in Simple Poetry. This program will take place on Wednesday, November 13th, at 11:00 a.m. at the museum.
World War II in Simple Poetry offers a unique glimpse into the heart of history through accessible, evocative verses. With each poem, readers are taken back to pivotal moments and daily realities faced by those who served during WWII. This brief yet impactful collection connects readers to the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the men who fought for victory, making it an ideal introduction for those looking to understand the war’s essence in a simpler, poetic form.
The program is free to the public, but registration is required: https://forms.gle/HRPg3iLoPtJm8e1P8
About the Author:
John Patrick Murphy, a devoted WWII enthusiast, has spent years studying and preserving the stories of the Greatest Generation. Living in Marietta with his wife, he dedicates much of his time to exploring the history of WWII and sharing his insights with fellow history buffs.
