8th Air Force Memorial Normandy
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Details:
In the La Fiere Bridge Memorial Space. Statue
Five life sized bronze statues of key 8th Air Force individuals representing the efforts of the 8th US Air Force during the Normandy Operation.
From The American Legion Website:
The “Mighty Eighth” flew more than 2,300 sorties on D-Day and suffered more than 47,000 casualties, including some 26,000 deaths, during World War II. Seventeen Medals of Honor were awarded to airmen of the Eighth during the war.
On June 5, 2025, The Normandy Institute, a U.S. nonprofit organization, dedicated four life-sized bronze statues by renowned sculptor Benjamin Victor depicting icons of the Eighth Army Air Force at the La Fiere Bridge Memorial site:
- Staff Sgt. Maynard “Snuffy” Smith, (Gunner, Medal of Honor Recipient, 306th Bomber Group)
- General James Doolittle (Commander of the 8th Air Force)
- Col. Donald J.M. Blakselee (Commander of the 335th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group)
- Lt. Col. Robert Rosenthal (100th Bomber Group and Prosecutor at the Numerburg Trials)
Source: American Legion.org
Monument Text:
Commemorates:
People:
Donald James Matthew Blakeslee
James Harold 'Jimmy' Doolittle
Maynard Harrison "Snuffy" Smith
Units:
100th Bomber Group
8th Air Force
United States Air Force
US Army Air Corps
Wars:
WWII
Battles:
Normandy Invasion
Other images :
