The Mighty 8th Air Force Museum has received a mighty nice donation. World War II B-17 pilot, Captain Ellison Miles, flew 25 combat missions over occupied Europe. Last week, the foundation he later established, to carry on his proud tradition of service, presented his entire collection of war-time letters, pictures and other documents to our great Mighty 8th Museum. Along with that substantial body of historic material, the Miles Foundation also made a $50,000 donation to assist with the ongoing restoration of the Museum's B-17, named the "City of Savannah."
Accompanying the Miles folks from Texas was 89-year-old Glenn Phillippe, the last surviving member of Captain Miles' bomber crew. Mr. Phillippe was the aircraft's ball turret gunner, finishing with 29 missions flown, and 20-years total service in our military. During his tour of the Museum's Memorial Gardens last week, Mr. Phillippe was treated to a surprise unveiling of a tree and plaque, named in his honor.
Our thanks for the very meaningful contributions and generosity of the Miles Foundation, both for substantially-enhancing our Mighty 8th Air Force Museum, and for locating, and bringing along with them for tribute, Mr. Phillippe. Now, over 60-years later, we remember with unending gratitude, the courageous war-time service of Captain Ellison Miles, Glenn Phillippe, and all the other brave Americans who flew those dangerous skies amidst freedom's armada.
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