The 384^th Bomb Group, Inc. was founded in 1968 by WWII veterans who served with the 384^th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in England. Members work to preserve the memory of sacrifices they and their comrades-in-arms made in the name of Freedom. Associate membership is offered to relatives or persons with a special interest in preserving the memory of the 384^th.

The 384^th Bombardment Group (H), Inc., has established a number of memorials, both in the United States and in England. These memorials are a tribute to those men of the 384^th who lost their lives in the quest for Freedom during World War II, and to those who are no longer with us. They are permanent reminders of the heritage and the traditions established by the men of the 384^th Bombardment Group (Heavy).

In Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire, a Memorial Monument and the Memorial Avenue of Trees were dedicated on 5 October 1985. This is located on the (former) main runway 6/24 of Grafton Underwood Airfield, where it is now crossed by the road to Geddington. The original Memorial Monument was dedicated on 25 September 1977, but was later replaced because of weather damage. A plaque for the Memorial Avenue of Trees was dedicated on 4 May 1991.

In Grafton Underwood, a Memorial Stained Glass Window is located in St. James the Apostle Church (Church of England). The window depicts a B-17 of the 384^th Bomb Group flying over the White Cliffs of Dover as it returns from a combat mission. The window was dedicated on 21 May 1983 by the Right Reverend, The Lord Bishop of Peterborough in the Presence of Her Royal Highness, Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.

In Kettering, Northamptonshire, hand-carved statues of St. Christopher stand in both St. Edwards Parish Church, (Catholic), and St. Paul and St. Peter Parish Church, (Church of England). These statues were presented to the churches in 1945 by the men of the 384^th Zebra (NCO) and Officers Clubs. An official dedication was held on 13 May 1979.

A silver chalice and paten set were presented to St. Edwards Church in memory of the men and families of the 384^th Bombardment Group (H), and the American and British fighter pilots. The presentation took place on 13 May 1979. A Foundation Mass is held each May as long as St. Edwards Church is in existence.

The belfry of St. Paul and St. Peter Parish Church was re-built and new Bells were installed. One bell, called the American Bell, is inscribed to the 384^th Bombardment Group (H). The bells were commemorated on 11 May 1980.

In the Grafton Underwood Village Hall, a replica of the Group Banner and other memorabilia is on display.

A Silver Chalice was donated to St. Mary Cistercian Monastery, Ringold, Pennsylvania, near Allentown.

A "Living Tree" was planted on the grounds of the Air Force Museum, Dayton, Ohio, accompanied with a plaque. This was dedicated on 2 August 1980.

Pictures of the Memorial Stained Glass Window, with plaques, may be seen at the following locations:

• The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
• McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita, Kansas
• The Heritage Museum, Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, Utah
• The Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado

The 384^th Bomb Group, Inc. sponsors the Eagle and Fledgling Sculpture, which is awarded each year to the Outstanding Graduating Cadet in Scholastic Achievement in each Major Subject, and Military and Athletic Performance at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Each year a member of the 384^th Bomb Group, Inc. makes the presentation during graduation week to the Outstanding Graduate in Biological Sciences.

A 384^th Bombardment Group (H) Plaque is mounted on the Memorial Wall in the United States Air Force Academy Memorial Cemetery, Colorado. The Plaque was dedicated on 30 May 1986.

A plaque mounted on a walnut base telling the history of the Group is located in the United States Air Force Academy, along with a model of one the 384^th B-17 Flying Fortresses. These were presented on 31 May 1988.

A duplicate of the Memorial Stained Glass Window is located in the World War II Heritage Chapel, Museum Complex, Hill Air Force Base, Ogden, Utah. It was dedicated on 8 September 1989.

A duplicate of the American Bell was dedicated at the Heritage Chapel, Museum Complex, Hill AFB on 9 May 1997. It was produced at the same foundry in England that made the original bell.

It is significant for the Memorial Window and Memorial Monument to be located at Hill Air Force Base as the 384^th Bombardment Group (H) trained in B-17s at Wendover, Utah.

The 384^th Bomb Group, Inc. has placed another duplicate Memorial Monument, and a model of a 384^th B-17 with a ten foot wingspan at the 8th Air Force Museum, Savannah, Georgia. The aircraft is named "Big Dog" after Bill Harvey, a 384th pilot. another duplicate of the Memorial Stained Glass Window has been placed in a replica of a British Church at the 8th Air Force Museum.

A leather-bound book about the 384^th Bombardment Group (H), entitled "As Briefed", was first published in 1946. It contains stories and photographs, a list of Medals and Awards, and briefs about Station Units during W.W.I.I. A soft cover Addendum was published in 1974. A second edition was published in 1980 which included the Addendum and the Post-War Activities of the Group. A third edition, published in 1990, includes the Addendum and the Post-War Activities of the Group.

A one-hour television documentary about the 384^th Bombardment Group (H) was produced by Central Independent Television of England. It has been shown on British Television twice. It has been shown at many of our reunions and other occasions. The documentary is titled "The Village That Met Them Again". It was filmed on location in England during Memorial Junket IV in 1983.

Perhaps the Group's proudest and most notable accomplishments have been in the Humanitarian Field. Long before the end of World War II the men of the 384^th had adopted several war orphans. The Military Police played "Father Christmas" to the kids in the nearby villages. The Group flew a very special “Mission” to newly liberated Nantes, France. That time, the bomb bays of six B-17s were filled with toys and clothes for the town’s children. Delivery was in time for the French traditional gift exchange on New Years Day, 1945. The men of the 384^th had contributed money, their candy rations, clothing and toys purchased in town or sent over by request from relatives and friends in the U.S.A. The money was used for clothing, soap, and other practical necessities of hospitals and orphanages, items unattainable in France. The 384^th and the French Red Cross ladies had packaged all the items (sent by request to Grafton Underwood) before stowing them into the six B-17s.

That spirit is still alive today, both in numerous projects of the Group as a whole, and in the individual commitments of its members. A prime example of this spirit is the donation of money for the restoration of St. James the Apostle Church in Grafton Underwood, England.

This website, and the members of the 384^th Bomb Group, Inc., are proud to help preserve the heritage embodied in the words of Major Selden McMillin. After being captured and made a POW, he wrote the following message to his Commander, Colonel Budd Peaslee:

This simple phrase, adopted as the Group motto, is our link to a proud heritage. It is also our commitment to ensure the Freedom earned with the sweat and blood of these brave men is preserved for future generations.

For any additional information about the World War II activities of the 384^th Bombardment Group (H), 8th Air Force, or the Post-War activities of the 384^th Bomb Group, Inc., please contact any of the people listed above.

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