Albuquerque in Bernalillo County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Eighth Air Force Historical Society Memorial
Photographed by Thomas Smith, September 16, 2026
1. The Eighth Air Force Historical Society Memorial Marker
The Eighth Air Force, formed and dispatched to England in 1942, became the largest bomber and fighter force ever created with over 350,00 men and women.
Missions never turned back due to enemy actions. The cost was over 26,000 killed in action. 28,000 were prisoners of war in Germany.
Attacking strategic targets in industrial Germany with daylight bombing and fighter support, the "Mighty Eighth" spearheaded Americas involvement in the European conflict. Their effort made it possible for Allied armies to invade the continent and initiate the fall of Hitler's Third Reich.
New Mexico Chapter members continue to inform later generations of their contribution and sacrifice made to perpetuate Americas freedom and way of life.
Erected 2005.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is February 22, 1944.
Location. 35° 3.642′ N, 106° 34.028′ W. Memorial
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in the New Mexicos Rio Grande Valley. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Honor-Respect-Never Forget Vietnam War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Tuskegee Airman (within shouting distance of this marker); Japan - New Mexico Friendship Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Combined Action Program Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Holes in Our Hearts (within shouting distance of this marker); Women in the Military Tribute
Photographed by Thomas Smith, September 16, 2026
2. The Eighth Air Force Historical Society Memorial
Also see . . . Eighth Air Force (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
VIII Bomber Command of the United States Army Air Forces was established early in 1942. The first combat units arrived in the United Kingdom in June and combat operations began in July with first heavy bomber operations in August. Its bomber units were deployed in the UK, chiefly around East Anglia. From June 1943 it was the daylight bombing part of the Combined Bomber Offensive against Germany.(Submitted on November 5, 2026.)
VIII Bomber Command was redesignated as Eighth Air Force on 22 February 1944. The Eighth Army Air Force (8 AAF) was a United States Army Air Forces combat air force in the European theater of World War II (1939/411945), engaging in operations primarily in the Northern Europe area of responsibility; carrying out strategic bombing of enemy targets in France, the Low Countries, and Germany;[3] and engaging in air-to-air fighter combat against enemy aircraft until the German capitulation in May 1945. It was the largest of the deployed combat Army Air Forces in numbers of personnel, aircraft, and equipment.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 1, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 1, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
