PRESS RELEASE
In recognition of the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) has launched a heartfelt initiative to honor 423 British WWII servicemen who lost their lives while training in the United States during the war. These young men, buried across American soil, are being remembered and symbolically reunited with their homeland through the “Bringing the Boys Back Home” project.
Throughout March and April, dedicated CAF volunteers traveled to 71 cemeteries in 28 states—from the shores of Maine to the islands of Hawaii—to visit each of the 423 gravesites. At every location, volunteers carefully cleaned and tended the headstones, many of which had not been visited in years. A non-destructive rubbing was made of each marker to preserve and commemorate the name of every fallen airman.
These rubbings were then cataloged and photographed at the CAF’s National Headquarters—the Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center in Dallas, Texas—ensuring that every site was respectfully accounted for. As a symbolic gesture, the complete collection will be transported to the United Kingdom aboard the CAF’s 1944 Douglas R4D aircraft, Ready 4 Duty, a WWII Navy veteran itself. The aircraft will depart on April 24 as part of the CAF’s Navy to Victory Tour, bringing these stories of sacrifice across the Atlantic.
“British and American forces stood shoulder to shoulder during the war, training and fighting together in the pursuit of peace and freedom,” said David Oliver, CAF President and CEO. “We are proud to honor these young men and to help preserve their legacy for generations to come.” This international effort has received support from a wide range of institutions, including the British Embassy, the UK Ministry of Defence, the British Flying Training School Museum in Terrell, Texas, Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum in Hawaii, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in South Carolina, and the British Commonwealth Remembrance Project USA.
RAF veteran and Distinguished Flying Cross recipient Colin Bell, now 104 years old, served as a flight instructor in the U.S. during the early years of the war. Reflecting on the project, he shared: “This is a truly meaningful tribute by our American allies. ‘Bringing the Boys Back Home’ acknowledges the sacrifice of these brave men—some of whom I knew—and honors them in a way that bridges time and distance.”
GOOGLE MAP AND LIST OF CEMETERIES WHERE BRITISH SERVICEMEMBERS WERE BURIED DURING WORLD WAR II, CLICK HERE.
This initiative exemplifies the Commemorative Air Force’s mission to Educate, Inspire, and Honor through its living history programs and flight experiences. Efforts like this are made possible through public support. To contribute to the program, please visit the CAF Dallas/Fort Worth Wing website at dfwwing.com
About Commemorative Air Force (CAF)
Founded in 1957, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of military aviation. With an airworthy fleet of over 180 vintage military aircraft—the world’s most extensive flying collection of World War II-era aircraft—the CAF brings history to life through flight and living history experiences. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the CAF operates numerous locations nationwide, all united by a shared mission: to Educate, Inspire, and Honor. Each year, through the efforts of thousands of volunteers, the CAF’s educational programs engage an estimated 20 million Americans, offering hands-on access to history that is both unique and impactful. Learn more at www.commemorativeairforce.org.
About the Navy To Victory Tour
The “Navy to Victory Tour” is a mission led by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dallas/ Fort Worth Wing to honor the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) and other aviation milestones. The tour features the Douglas R4D-6S, named “Ready 4 Duty,” which will embark on a 12-week, 12,000-mile journey across the United States, Iceland, the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands. It also celebrates the 90th anniversary of the DC-3’s first flight, the 100th anniversary of Pratt & Whitney engines, and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy. Learn more about this mission at https://www.dfwwing.com/
About Ready 4 Duty
Built in 1944, Ready 4 Duty is a Douglas R4D-6S, the U.S. Navy’s version of the legendary DC-3 and C-47. The last of its kind still flying, the aircraft is a centerpiece of the Dallas/Fort Worth Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of World War II aviation. Learn more at www.dfwwing.com.
