[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 72 (Thursday, May 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE 2ND AIR DIVISION OF THE 8TH AIR FORCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2010

  Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, I rise before the House today to remember 
the American heroes of the 2nd Air Division of the 8th Army Air Force, 
and the designers and manufacturers of the B-24 Liberator whom served 
our country so honorably during WWII.
  The 8th Air Force--known better as the ``Mighty Eighth''--was part of 
the largest air strike force in history, flying bombing missions over 
Europe from November 1942 to April 1945. While pilots and crewmen were 
trained in Pueblo, Colorado, their aircraft--the B-24 Liberator--had 
its manufacturing headquarters in San Diego.
  In the peak of the wartime efforts, 11 Liberators were built a day, 
and more Liberators were produced than any other four-engine bomber in 
World War II, including the famous B-17 bomber. Over 18,000 bombers 
were made by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in San Diego between the 
years of 1939 and 1945, and over 45,000 San Diegans helped in the 
manufacturing process.
  The B-24 Liberator carried a crew of 8 to 10 men, and was powered by 
four 1,200 horsepower engines and carried 2,750 gallons of fuel. Many 
of the B-24 missions were round trips of 1,500 miles, and the planes 
were not pressurized or heated; crewmen wore oxygen masks on high 
altitude missions and were exposed to temperatures that could reach 
minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite these conditions, the 2nd Air 
Division dropped over 630,000 tons of bombs and destroyed thousands of 
enemy aircraft.
  In San Diego, we honor their service at the Veterans Memorial Garden 
in the Air Garden, which is the first city park to honor the ground and 
flight crews of the bomber, along with the citizens of San Diego who 
helped build it.
  Madam Speaker, we will never forget the bravery displayed by the men 
of the 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force. We will remember their 
sacrifice and patriotism, especially as the remaining members meet on 
June 5th for their annual reunion. So, as we remember the contributions 
made by the members of the 2nd Air Division, 8th Air Force, we shall 
never forget that the freedoms we enjoy today are because of the 
courage and valor displayed by those who fought to protect them. As a 
veteran myself, I take great pride in recognizing the 2nd Air Division 
and the San Diego community for their contributions and tireless 
efforts that were so critical to our success and ultimate victory in 
World War II.

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