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More than a half a century after the close of
hostilities of World War II, the 475th Fighter Group (Satan's Angels) has
established a permanent home for the artifacts, photographs, records and
memories of the U.S. Army Air Force unit that accounted for the 562
victories, two Presidential Unit Citations, and produced 42 "Aces" in the
South Pacific combat area. It was unique in that it was the first all
Lockheed P-38 group and was formed overseas in Australia.
This new museum, legally known as The 475th Fighter
Group Historical Foundation, Inc., was housed in a modern steel building
reminiscent of those used by the Armed Forces during World War II. It was
dedicated on October, 1997, at the expanding March Field Museum complex
located at the former March Air Force Base near Riverside, California
where the first test fight of the P-38 took place. The March Field Museum
chronicles the history of U.S. military aviation from World War I in 1917
to the present.
Over the past nineteen years, many people have donated
time, skills and memorabilia in order to preserve the history and proud
heritage of many valiant men of the 475th and these efforts have
culminated in a 1250 square foot building.
In 2005 the decision was made to again move the museum
and become part of The Air Museum Planes of Fame. We are now located
in a new 3,600 sq. ft. hanger at Planes of Fame to become
the new home of the 475th. Planes of Fame is located at the Chino
Airport, Chino, California.
The Group leadership is now embarking on a major fund
raising effort to establish an endowment fund that will support continued
operation, maintenance and improvement of the museum and web site.
Please click here for more
details. |