Heritage League of the Second Air Division - USAAF

Heritage League of the Second Air Division - USAAF League History

The Heritage League was established in 1987 by its parent organization, the Second Air Division Association (or '2ADA').

The Heritage League is the honored steward of the legacy of the Second Air Division of the US 8th Air Force, earned by the service of nearly 100,000 personnel, 7000 of whom made the ultimate sacrifice during WW II. The Heritage League is a follow-on organization. This organization is composed of descendants and relatives of former Second Air Division personnel. The Heritage League subscribes to th

e belief that only as we perpetuate the respect for, and memory of, those who served in the Second Air Division during World War II, and by instilling such respect in subsequent generations, will their contributions be valued into perpetuity. League Purpose

The Heritage League's purpose is to perpetuate the memory of the Second Air Division of the 8th Air Force (USAAF), and honor the efforts and sacrifices of its members during World War II in behalf of freedom and peace. Through the work of its members and other entities it supports, the League promotes educational, social, cultural and commemorative activities which compellingly present this rich history to succeeding generations. With the dissolution of the 2ADA in 2012, the League takes up the ongoing challenge of educating following generations about the sacrifices of our forbears in WWII, and continues in the honor of commemorating the veterans and presenting their legacy. We do this through periodic essay competitions, informative publications, presentations and a host of other social and educational programs. We actively support related efforts such as the 'living legacy' Second Air Division USAAF Memorial Library, in Norwich, England, The 8th AF Historical Society, and the Mighty Eighty Air Force Heritage Museum near Savannah. Our mission is big, challenging, and exciting. League Goals

In order to accomplish its unique purpose, The Heritage League embraces the following goals:

1. to offer information about the 2nd Air Division, directly or through collaborations, to descendants, students and interested others, young and old;

2. to coordinate and support efforts to preserve the stories, artifacts and various memorials to the 2nd Air Division and its component units, assigned or attached;

3. to continue the work of the 2nd Air Division Association in fully endowing the 2nd Air Division Memorial Trust;

4. to encourage strong friendships and meaningful exchanges between our members and like-minded people around the United States and the world, especially in East Anglia (England); and

5. to provide League members with meaningful social, cultural and educational interactions and experiences as they help to achieve all of these goals. Vision

The Heritage League shall be the honored steward of the legacy of the Second Air Division, which was earned by the service of nearly 100,000 combat and ground support personnel, 7,000 of whom made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. Early in the new millennium this heritage will be entrusted to the League by the Second Air Division's surviving veterans. The League will welcome all who wish to contribute to this stewardship.

Happy250th birthday America. β€οΈπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈπŸ€πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈπŸ’™
04/07/2026

Happy250th birthday America. β€οΈπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈπŸ€πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈπŸ’™

06/06/2026
Another Memorial Day tribute from our friends at the 489th Halesworth Museum . Thank you, Margorie for your dedication t...
29/05/2026

Another Memorial Day tribute from our friends at the 489th Halesworth Museum . Thank you, Margorie for your dedication to our fallen airmen.

To our 489th veterans, families and friends

Greetings on Memorial Day !

We hope you are all having a wonderful day with your families. The weather here in the UK is very hot and sunny. The Memorial Day Service at the American Cemetery, Cambridge (Madingley) is an outdoor event so the weather is important!

A wreath was laid this morning at the cemetery in Cambridge in memory and in honour of our 489th BG servicemen who died during WWII. Sadly I was unable to travel to Cambridge today but our friends and colleagues from the Halesworth Airfield Memorial Museum placed our tributes to the three American groups who served on Halesworth Airfield during the war. A short summary of the event was broadcast on the local BBC news this lunchtime.

For our 489th wreath I always use flowers to represent the B24 Tail colours of the 489th and I have done this for, I think, over 30 years! When we hosted the Halesworth 489th Reunions all those years ago, Co-Pilot Ralph Belward and his wife, Gini, stayed with us in our home and I remember Ralph sitting with me whilst I put the wreath together. Happy memories indeed ! (A photo of this year's wreath is attached.)

Your families were remembered today and we continue to give thanks to them all.

Have a great day everyone !
All best wishes
Marjorie,
for, the Friends of the 489th and all the volunteers at the Halesworth Airfield Museum

Memorial Day post from ABMC - the US Government organization that manages the US military cemeteries overseas.
27/05/2026

Memorial Day post from ABMC - the US Government organization that manages the US military cemeteries overseas.

Thank you to the American Library - Memorial to the 2nd Air Division, USAAF for honoring those lost from the 2nd Air Div...
27/05/2026

Thank you to the American Library - Memorial to the 2nd Air Division, USAAF for honoring those lost from the 2nd Air Division at the Cambridge American Cemetery on Memorial Day.

Thanks Colin Mann. We appreciate all you do for the HL. πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έβ€οΈπŸ€πŸ’™
25/05/2026

Thanks Colin Mann. We appreciate all you do for the HL. πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έβ€οΈπŸ€πŸ’™

If you will be near Arlington National Cemetery on Sunday, May 23, honor the true meaning of Memorial Day.
14/05/2026

If you will be near Arlington National Cemetery on Sunday, May 23, honor the true meaning of Memorial Day.

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