Heritage League of the Second Air Division - USAAF

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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 the 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.

09/10/2026

We are very excited to be hosting the Tuna Canyon Detention Station traveling exhibition. Please come during opening hours (10am -5pm Mon- Friday and 9-5 on Saturday) to learn of the trials and tribulations of the nearly 2,500 Japanese, German and Italian detainees that were interned from 16 December 1941 to late October 1943. For more information about our special opening and closing events, go to our Eventbrite page https://bit.ly/4ieBJ6H

On Friday, 9 October from Noon-1:30pm Eastern Time (5:30pm to 7:00pm BST), author Eric Ratcliffe, historian of Tibenham’...
07/10/2026

On Friday, 9 October from Noon-1:30pm Eastern Time (5:30pm to 7:00pm BST), author Eric Ratcliffe, historian of Tibenham’s proud heritage, will speak about his new book "Hostile Skies and Empty Tables." In this book, he tells the story of the men and missions of the 445th Bomb Group who flew from Tibenham during WWII. In addition to the book launch, Eric will present historic WWII photographs of the area.
To book tickets to attend either in person or online, please follow the link below:

Hostile Skies and Empty Tables is a historical book by Eric Ratcliffe about the 445th Bomb Group of the US Eighth Air Force in World War II

14/09/2026

Here at the American Library, we hold hundreds of 8th Air Force memoirs. In these we are able to find out about the day-to-day life of the average USAAF Soldier stationed here in England. Ranging from moving and sad, to funny and bizarre, these stories put a human spin on the 2,500 to 3,000 people stationed at each base.

Soon we will be launching a brand new reading group here at the American Library called 'WWII Lives' where we'll be exploring this area of our collection.

📷 Photo ID: MC 371/469 on the Second Air Division Digital Archive, from the collection of Gilbert C. Crist, 467th BG
Whose World War II story will you discover?

20/08/2026
REMEMBER THE ALAMO- Heritage League Convention- San Antonio- October 14-18 2026Hello Heritage League MembersThe Heritage...
03/08/2026

REMEMBER THE ALAMO- Heritage League Convention- San Antonio- October 14-18 2026

Hello Heritage League Members

The Heritage League will join the 8th Air Force Historical Society for convention events and our annual membership meeting in October. We look forward to sharing with those from all bomb groups and 8th AF organizations who will be in attendance.

Please join us in our Heritage League hospitality suite which will be open throughout the convention. ALL ARE WELCOME. We look forward to meeting and visiting with others interested in preserving the legacy and memory of those who fought in the air in Europe and Africa during WWII.
Here is the link with information and registration.

https://heritageleague.org/heritage-league-2026-convention/

Important registration information

Please note on the registration form, there is a space to indicate your Bomber Group/Fighter Group/Other. In order to sit with The Heritage League for the rendezvous dinner on Friday night, you must add The Heritage League before your Bomber Group

The Heritage League will have our own dinner on Thursday night, October 15, 2026. Details are still being finalized. If you would like to join us, DO NOT sign up for the Thursday, 10/15: Smokehouse Dinner Buffet on the registration form. Instead, email Sue Risley at [email protected]

Our Annual Business Meeting will be on Saturday, October 17th from 12:30pm- 2pm. We will let you know the location when we have one.

If you are planning to attend, please email Sue Risley at [email protected] will to be added to our list so we can communicate important information.

Here is other important information to know:
Reunion registration form is due August 15, 2026
Hotel registration cut-off is September 23, 2026

Convention rate rooms may sell out before that date so do not hesitate.

Hotel Cancellation Policy: Cancellation must be received 24 hours prior to arrival date or there will be a charge of one night’s room plus tax.

Please let us know if you have any questions. Hope to see you there.

Heritage League Convention Committee - Sue Risley and Marybeth Dyer

The Heritage League will join the 8th Air Force Historical Society for convention events and our annual membership meeting. We look forward to sharing with those from all bomb groups and 8th AF organizations who will be in attendance. Please join us at our Heritage League hospitality suite which wil...

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

Address

Cambridge

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