The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Dayton, OH, has announced a series of special programs and gallery highlights throughout November to honor America’s veterans and military personnel. The month’s activities will include exhibits recognizing Ohioans who served in the armed forces, opportunities to meet veterans and aviation experts, the return of Open Aircraft Days and a community musical tribute. The gallery highlights are part of the museum’s participation in the America 250-Ohio Commission’s November theme, Ohio Serves. Specially marked exhibits throughout the museum will recognize individuals with Ohio connections whose service helped shape American airpower. QR codes accompanying the displays will direct visitors to additional information and photographs, offering a closer look at their contributions to aviation and military history.
Among those featured is Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker of Columbus, America’s leading WWI ace, and Lt. Richard E. Cole of Dayton, who served as co-pilot to Jimmy Doolittle during the 1942 raid on Japan. The displays will also recognize Airman 1st Class William H. Pitsenbarger of Piqua, who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the Vietnam War, and John Glenn, born in Cambridge and raised in New Concord, whose distinguished military aviation career preceded his historic 1962 flight as the first American to orbit Earth. Other featured individuals include Kettering native Nadine Canfield Nagle, who served as a Women’s Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) during WWII, and 1st Lt. Suella Bernard of Waynesville, who cared for wounded soldiers during a glider evacuation mission in Germany. The museum will also recognize Lt. Col. Dean Hess of Marietta, who helped organize an effort to rescue Korean War orphans. Their stories demonstrate the different ways military personnel have served, both in combat and through humanitarian efforts.
On Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the museum will host Plane Talks in recognition of Veterans Day. Veterans, active-duty personnel and other aviation subject matter experts will be stationed throughout the galleries to share firsthand experiences and insights into the aircraft, missions and individuals represented in the collection. Visitors will have an opportunity to speak directly with those who served and learn more about Air Force history. The museum will also bring back its Open Aircraft Days program on Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program allows visitors to explore the interiors of historic aircraft that are normally viewed only from the outside. The participating aircraft are expected to include the Fairchild C-123K Provider Patches, the Sikorsky CH-3E Black Mariah helicopter and the Lockheed EC-121D Constellation. Visitors will be able to walk through Patches and climb aboard the helicopter and Constellation, with opportunities to sit inside the latter two aircraft. The experience will give visitors a closer look at the spaces where Airmen carried out their missions.
The November event marks the return of the program, with four additional Open Aircraft Days planned for 2027. The museum notes that participating aircraft may change depending on operational and preservation considerations. The month’s activities will continue on Sunday, November 15, at 3 p.m., with a free community musical tribute honoring America’s veterans. The performance will bring together children’s choirs and special guest musicians for an afternoon of music recognizing the service and sacrifice of the nation’s veterans. Presented by the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE), the event will give families and community members an opportunity to come together and honor those who have served. Together, the November gallery displays and special programs offer visitors opportunities to explore the history of military aviation, hear firsthand accounts from those who served and recognize the contributions of service members from Ohio and across the country. For additional information about upcoming events and America 250-Ohio activities, and to support the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, click on this link: www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
