Press Release: Mighty Eighth Air Force Celebrates 84 Years

Chatham County – Wednesday, January 28^th from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Wednesday, January 28^th is a historic day for both the City of Savannah and the United States. Eighty-four years ago, January 28, 1942, the charter for the Eighth Air Force was created in a former National Guard Armory, 1108 Bull Street in Savannah, Georgia. Its main objective was two-fold: first, to cripple Hitler’s war making capabilities by destroying factories and taking out transportation lines; and second, to clear the skies of the Luftwaffe so that an allied landing on continental Europe would be possible. Lieutenant General Henry “Hap” Arnold appointed Major General Carl Spaatz to command the new Eighth Air Force. Brigadier General Frank Hunter, of Savannah, was put in charge of Fighter Command and Brigadier General Ira Eaker was made head of the bombardment force.

Of the 350,000 members of the Eighth Air Force serving during World War II, 26,000 were killed in action and another 28,000 became prisoners of War. Instrumental in the victory over Germany, the Eighth Air Force grew to be the “Greatest Air Armada of all Time.”

The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force will be celebrating with $8.00 admission Wednesday, January 28^th, and 8% discount in the museum store.