We’ll watch PBS specials & maybe buy Tom Brokaw’s book, but which of the values that made them The Greatest Generation have we, as a people, retained & embraced?

The aircraft is a Boeing B17G. Over 12,000 B17s were built, the “G” model being the most numerous with (if memory serves) over 8,600 being built.

About 4,800 B17s were lost in combat (again if memory serves). Given the fact that the B17 and B24 flew most of the time with 10 man crews, its no secret that A LOT of our countrymen gave their lives flying these aircraft.

And they dished out worse than the received.

what a beautiful sight. Thanks for posting it Skanderberg, and thanks to all vets and serving members of the Armed Forces.
Now, we can wait for the Obama Apology tour II, so he can apologize to the Germans. If he does, he shouldn’t bother to go to Normandy.

The B17 was without doubt one of the best strategic bombers ever built. With all it’s offensive capabilities, it could also defend itself like no other bomber. It could get shot to pieces, with tails almost completely destroyed, wings severely damaged, stabilizers knocked out, and yet return their crews safely home, in some cases with only one or two engines running.

One of my favorite movies is the 1990 portrayal of Memphis Belle. I understand the original plane is currently being restored in Dayton, Ohio at the National Museum of the USAF. I believe there are only about a dozen of these Flying Fortresses still airworthy. What a fantastic plane it was!

But today we remember the crews, those who returned, and those who gave their lives during the greatest air armada in history. The 8th Air Force flew more B17s than any other bomber command, and they paid a heavy price, having earned 17 Medals of Honor, 220 Distinguished Service Crosses, 850 Silver Stars, 7,000 Purple Hearts, and 46,000 Air Medals.