Model A7LB Extravehicular Mobility Unit—1971

The Apollo model A7LB was the ultimate moonwalking suit. This Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) allowed a crewman to work on the moon for up to seven hours. The suit’s red stripes identified the mission commander. This one represents the one worn by US Air Force Col David Scott in July 1971 on Apollo 15, the only moon landing mission with an

Model A7L Space Suit—1969

This suit represents the model A7L worn by U.S. Air Force Col. (later Maj. Gen.) Michael Collins in July 1969 on Apollo 11, the first moon landing mission. Collins’ suit was not made for moonwalking, but instead was designed to be worn mainly inside the spacecraft. He piloted the orbiting command module while his fellow astronauts explored the

Mercury Space Suit—1963

Early space suits for the Mercury program (1961–63) were derived from a 1959 US Navy aviation suit design. The tight-fitting suit served as a backup to keep the astronaut alive in the tiny Mercury spacecraft if the vehicle developed a leak and lost its atmosphere.This suit represents the one worn by U.S. Air Force Maj. (later Col.) Gordon Cooper in

Master Sgt. Ivan M. Ruiz

CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE AIR FORCE CROSS _______________________________________________________Awarded for actions during the Global War on Terror The President of the United States of America, authorized by section 8742 of title 10 U.S.C, awards the Air Force Cross to Master Sergeant Ivan M. Ruiz for extraordinary heroism in

Memphis Belle Crew

The young men assigned to the Memphis Belle represented a typical Eighth Air Force heavy bomber crew.  They ranged in age from 19 to 26 and came from states across the US, including Washington, Indiana, Texas, and Connecticut.  Like their Eighth Air Force counterparts—and contrary to a popular myth—they flew most, but not all, of their missions

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23MS “Flogger-E”

The Soviet-built MiG-23 “Flogger” was designed to replace the widely-used MiG-21. The MiG-23’s advanced radar and fire control system could fire missiles at targets beyond visual range. Variable “swing” wing geometry, similar to that of the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark, and robust landing gear allowed the MiG-23 to operate from short, remote

Motor Transport Corps Medallion

Note: This item is currently in storage.  At the beginning of World War I, the U.S. Army kept horses as its primary means of transportation of soldiers and movement of supplies and equipment. Even though automobiles had been in use for years before the war began, the U.S. Army maintained that horses were more dependable, less expensive and could

Motor Transport Corps Insignia

Note: This item is currently in storage. The use of motor vehicles by the U.S. Army was in its infancy prior to and at the beginning of the United States’ involvement in World War I. Horses remained the main mode of transportation of soldiers and movement of supplies and equipment.  Training in the maintenance and repair of motor vehicles had not

Metatarsal Pads

Note: This item is currently in storage. Combat boots during World War I tended to lack the cushion and shock absorption that modern-day combat boots are designed to have. These metatarsal pads were worn with the elastic strap over the top of one’s foot. They hold the pad in place over the bottom and just behind the ball of the foot at the arch

Mercury Spacecraft

Project Mercury was the first American human spaceflight program. Its goals were to put astronauts into orbit around the Earth, to find out if they could survive and work in space, and recover the crewmen and spacecraft safely. Between 1961 and 1963, six successful flights proved Americans could fly in space.Mercury flights lasted from 15 minutes