390th Memorial Museum, Verde Valley Travel Guide

The 390th Memorial Museum stands as a powerful tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the 390th Bombardment Group (Heavy), a B-17 Flying Fortress unit of the Eighth Air Force stationed in England during World War II. From 1943 to 1945, these airmen flew over 300 missions, enduring brutal conditions and facing immense danger to help achieve air dominance over Germany.The museum's centerpiece is a meticulously restored B-17G Flying Fortress, a testament to the iconic aircraft that carried these men into battle. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring flight jackets adorned with artwork, uniforms, replicas of the flight tower and Nissen hut, and dioramas depicting flight missions and airfields. These displays offer a glimpse into the lives of the 390th's personnel, from the flight crews to the ground support teams.The museum also highlights the personal stories of the airmen, including their experiences as prisoners of war and their participation in Operation Chowhound, a humanitarian mission to airdrop food supplies to the starving Dutch population at the end of the war. The museum's library and archives contain thousands of documents, photographs, and objects that further illuminate the 390th's role in the Allied victory in Europe.Visitors can explore exhibits detailing the harrowing POW experience, life on base in Framlingham, and the group's final missions of humanitarian aid. The museum reopened in 2013 after a significant expansion and continues to serve as a research and historical learning center, ensuring that the stories of these brave airmen are never forgotten.