The Pacific Aviation Museum in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii is marking the 72nd anniversary of the Battle of Midway on June 7th with a lecture by the museum’s curator, Burl Burlingame, and their restoration manager, Jim Martinelli. Starting at 2pm, the presentation, titled “Flying Fortresses Over Midway”, will discuss the important role B-17s played during this pivotal battle, often regarded as the turning point in the Pacific War. At around 4pm, once the question and answer session has concluded, guests will join a private tour of Hangar 79 for a briefing and behind-the-scenes viewing of the museum’s combat veteran B-17E Flying Fortress. Known almost universally as “Swamp Ghost” due to its multi-decade sojourn at it’s 1942 crash site in a New Guinea swamp, this Flying Fortress is finally getting some TLC at the hands of the museum’s conservators. Jim Martinelli will describe the progress he and his team have made in breathing life back into the old bomber, and what lies ahead. It is bound to be a fascinating presentation!
The event is free with regular Museum admission and free to Museum Members. Call (808) 441-1000 or visit www.PacificAviationMuseum.org for more information.
Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, which depends on membership and donations for support. A Smithsonian Affiliate Museum, it is rated one of the top 10 aviation attractions nationally by TripAdvisor®. It is located at 319 Lexington Boulevard, Historic Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818.
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
Glad to know that the museum will commemorate the Battle of Midway. When I was a teen and started researching World War Two, I spent hours upon hours studying The Midway Battle. I still yearn for knowledge for all the oprerations conducted by both sides in the Pacific theatre. Keep up thr great work. I hope to come see your museum before I leave this world. I guess you could say its on my bucket list.