Friday, December 31, 2010

Why We Do It...

A Heritage of Valor Passed to Future Generations

When the 384th BG arrieved in England in May of '43, they were part of a growing armada of bombers that attacked Germany in large formations. The 8th Air Force bombers fought in great aerial battles against enemy fighter planes and flak over Europe. They endured the trials of extreme high altitude and terrible weather. During the war, the 384th Bomb Group flew 316 missions, losing 159 B-17s shot down and 1,625 men killed. The Group received two Distinguished Unit Citations for missions flown on January 11, 1944 and April 24, 1944 and received numerous individual awards for actions in battle. In 1943, the group adopted the motto "Keep The Show On The Road", coined by Major Selden L. McMillin ("Major Mac") in a card written by him as a POW to Colonel Budd Peaslee, Group CO. It was in those early days that the young men of the 384th BG learned to carry the heavy load of hard work, discipline and sacrifice necessary to bring the battle to the enemy. Years later in his book "Heritage of Valor", Budd Peaslee wrote that the young men of the 8th Air Force "...have left a heritage of valor that will leave an indelible mark on future generations." The B-17 wing panel acts as a testimonial to the spirit and comaraderie of the veterans of the Group, and will help to represent their personal message to future generations.