In support of an official event 

The Museum will be closed Sunday, May 25
In addition, the Fourth Hangar will be closed Saturday, May 24

Access to the Presidential Gallery will be limited from May 15 to June 5
 

Fact Sheet Alphabetical List

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  • Epilogue: Sacrifice and Victory

    Starting with only a theory and a handful of aircraft, the USAAF faced early setbacks and devastating losses.  Still, heavy bomber crews time and time again resolutely fought through enemy defenses to hit their targets.  With their courage and sacrifice, the USAAF created a massive, unstoppable

  • The "Memphis Belle" and Nose Art

    The “Memphis Belle”The Memphis Belle was named to honor Morgan’s fiancée Margaret Polk, of Memphis, Tennessee, whom he met before leaving for England.  Their love story was well-publicized, but their engagement ended during the war bond tour.Morgan flew on combat missions with a picture of Margaret

  • Eddie V. Rickenbacker WWI Diary

    Note: This item is currently in storageIn commemoration of the Centennial of World War I, the National Museum of the United States Air Force will regularly post excerpts from Capt Edward V. Rickenbacker's 1918 wartime diary.  These begin with Saturday, March 2, 1918, the date Rickenbacker began

  • 94th Aero Squadron

    Note: This photo is currently in storage Having completed gunnery school, Rickenbacker was assigned to the 94th Aero Squadron. In late February, he and severalother pilots traveled to Paris to fly their new Nieuport 28s back to Villeneuve. However, a snow storm delayed their return,and Rickenbacker

  • Lt. Edward Rickenbacker

    Note: This item is currently in storageEddie Rickenbacker completed his pilot's training in just 17 days.  In addition to earning his pilot's wings, Rickenbacker also was commissioned as an officer. On December 10, 1917, Lt Rickenbacker and fourteen other pilots - including Capt. Fiorella LaGuardia,

  • Edward V. Rickenbacker- AEF Chauffeur

    Note: This item is currently in storage Although he was recruited to serve as General Pershing’s chauffeur, Rickenbacker primarily drove for Major Townsend F. Dodd, a subordinate to Lt Col William B. Mitchell.  As Mitchell and Dodd toured various regions in France, the effect of airpower began to

  • Eddie Rickenbacker-Race Car Driver

    On October 8, 1890, Edward Rickenbacker was born in a small house on South Pearl Street in Columbus, Ohio.  The second son of Swiss immigrants, Eddie’s family fell on particularly hard times following the death of his father when Eddie was just 13 years old.  Eddie left school during the 7th grade,

  • Captain E.V. Rickenbacker Swagger Stick

    Note: This item is currently in storage.This wooden swagger stick was made in France for Captain E.V. Rickenbacker during his service in World War I.  Spiraling up the surface of the stick is a carved wooden snake marked down the back with 26 black German Crosses-representing Rickenbacker's 26

  • Eddie Rickenbacker Ring, Ace of Aces

    Note: This item is currently in storage. This ring reads “A OF A.”  Captain E.V. Rickenbacker was called America’s Ace of Aces, due to his accruing the highest number of American aerial victories against the Germans during World War I— 26.   This ring is also engraved with the following designs: 

  • Rocket Fuel Handlers Exhibit

    FUELING ROCKETSWorking with rocket propellants requires special protective gear. The two suits here are examples of rocket fuel handlers' outfits from the 1940s-1990s. Liquid fueled missiles such as the Titan I and Titan II in this gallery used dangerous fluids and toxic chemicals, and Airmen