American Air Museum in Britain

American Air Museum in Britain We commemorate the pivotal role of air power in preserving freedom, by connecting generations to stories of heroism and aircraft that have shaped history.

Did you know that our archive is made up of veteran stories that are often written and maintained by friends and family ...
09/06/2026

Did you know that our archive is made up of veteran stories that are often written and maintained by friends and family of that veteran?

Today we want to share one of those stories with you:
“A farm boy from a tiny town in Wisconsin, 1st Lt Mark J. Gilles commanded 32 B-17 bombing missions in 1944 with the 412th Bomb Squadron of the 95th Bomb Group. The 95th was the only 8th Air Force bomb group to receive the Presidential Unit Citation three times.

Mark’s first two sorties were daylight missions over Berlin… then he and his crew flew on D-Day and D-Day +1. Mark even landed in Russia a couple of times for gas before heading back to Horham.

As one of the fortunate ones to survive & come home, he remained in the Army Air Corps/Air Force, married 18-year-old Miss June, whom he met at the Los Angeles Palladium right before he deployed to England, and started a family."

Lt. Gilles passed away in 2021 at 102 years old.

Share your veteran story with us: https://forms.office.com/r/eHTn7mxwnV

From the IWM American Archive
Contributor: Alan Skiffins
UPL 72451
https://americanarchive.iwm.org.uk/archive/media/upl-72451

June 6 marks 82 years since the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. Shortly after midnight on June 6, over ...
06/06/2026

June 6 marks 82 years since the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II.

Shortly after midnight on June 6, over 18,000 Allied paratroopers were dropped into the invasion area, while Naval forces were making their way across the channel with over 130,000 men.

For many of these men, it would be their first time experiencing combat. For nearly all of them, it was a day they would never forget.

Watch IWM’s video showing an American-commentated account of some of the action that took place during the Normandy Landings, produced by the Office of Strategic Services in 1944: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjCR9YrU2Q0

Photo from the IWM American Archive
Contributor: AAM
FRE 3789
https://americanarchive.iwm.org.uk/archive/media/media-408404jpg

Captain James “Wilkie” Wilkinson was born in 1916 in Newark, Ohio. He served with the 4th Fighter Group before transferr...
04/06/2026

Captain James “Wilkie” Wilkinson was born in 1916 in Newark, Ohio. He served with the 4th Fighter Group before transferring to the 78th Fighter Group at Duxford on September 11, 1943. Wilkie flew the P-47 Thunderbolt and was known as an "ace" to those serving with him.

On May 18, 1944, Wilkie was appointed acting CO of the 82nd Fighter Squadron while their CO was on leave in the US. The following day, he led three fighters in an attack against 30+ enemy fighters who were forming to ambush a friendly bomb formation. Despite the odds, the four fighters were able to disperse the enemy fighters. During the engagement, one of Wilkie’s wingmen was forced out of action and his plane was damaged. Despite this, he flew into two more flights of enemy fighters and broke up their attack against the bombers, at great risk to his life.

On June 4, just two days before D-Day, Wilkie decided to explore an area in Wales for future training missions. Flying in and out of rain showers, Wilkie’s aircraft crashed into a mountain and was flung into a ravine. Wilkie did not survive. He was only 27 years old.

Wilkie was interred at Cambridge American Cemetery and posthumously awarded the Silver Star and the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on May 19, 1944. The wreckage from his fatal crash was recently recovered and is now part of the AAM collection. We are honored to be the keepers of his legacy.

From the IWM American Archive
Contributor: Randolph Wells
UPL 74634
https://americanarchive.iwm.org.uk/archive/person/james-willard-wilkinson

June continues our celebration of Memberships – renew or join today! Become part of a legacy when you sign up to be an A...
01/06/2026

June continues our celebration of Memberships – renew or join today!

Become part of a legacy when you sign up to be an American Air Museum in Britain member. Membership provides you with some AMAZING benefits while also supporting the museum collection, operation, and our ability to continue to share the stories you’ve come to know and love.

You can renew online or by mail.

We invite you to renew or become a member today: https://discoveramericanairmuseum.org/support-aamb/membership

If you aren’t ready to become a member, you can still support our efforts with a donation today: https://discoveramericanairmuseum.org/support-aamb/donate

Thank You for the dedication you have shown the museum. The stories we are able to share are due to your continued support. Let’s make this Membership Month the best one yet!

Thank you!

The B-17 known as "May-B Bay-B". It is our honor to share the stories of Airmen and women who crewed flights like the "M...
29/05/2026

The B-17 known as "May-B Bay-B". It is our honor to share the stories of Airmen and women who crewed flights like the "May-B Bay-B". If you are interested in learning more, becoming a member, or giving back, visit us at discoveramericanairmuseum.org/

From the IWM American Archive
Contributor: Alan Skiffins
UPL 60766
https://americanarchive.iwm.org.uk/archive/media/upl-60766

In honor of Memorial Day, we recognize the men and women who died while serving in the US armed forces. The American Air...
25/05/2026

In honor of Memorial Day, we recognize the men and women who died while serving in the US armed forces. The American Air Museum stands as a memorial to the over 30,000 American servicemen who died while flying from Britain during World War II.

“Counting the Cost” is a memorial sculpture that lines the walkway into the museum. Each of the 52 panels is engraved with the outlines of aircraft, one for each plane missing in action in operations flown by American air forces in Britain. 7,031 aircraft are depicted and displayed by unit and group. The inscription reads: “Dedicated to all the airmen who flew in the Second World War.”

An Honor Guard sculpture stands near the memorial, honoring all of those who have been lost. This statue also overlooks our Commemorative Bricks, which showcase the names of veterans, memorialized by their loved ones.

AAMB continues to stand as a lasting monument to their memories for centuries to come.

Honor your veteran with a gift in their memory today:
https://discoveramericanairmuseum.org/support-aamb/donate

Continue their legacy with a commemorative brick:
https://discoveramericanairmuseum.org/support-aamb/buy-brick

Images: James Walker, Potomac Images

On this Memorial Day, we remember all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation’s freedom.Beneath a blue...
25/05/2026

On this Memorial Day, we remember all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation’s freedom.

Beneath a blue English sky - the same skies crossed by thousands of young Americans between 1942 and 1945 - we laid a wreath in honour of those who never returned. This year’s tribute was laid at Cambridge American Cemetery by Pat Cunningham, pictured here alongside AAMB curator Hattie Hearn.

Pat has been a dedicated volunteer in our “Faces to Names” initiative, spending the past year researching hundreds of individuals listed on the museum’s digital Roll of Honor, helping ensure their stories are never forgotten.

Address

Imperial War Museum Duxford Air Field
Cambridge
CB224RQ

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+18888599550

Website

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