The Eighth Air Force played a crucial role in WWII. The 384th Bombardment Group was part of the Eighth and was assigned to the Grafton Underwood Airfield in England. My dad, George Edwin Farrar, was a waist gunner in the 384th. As part of my research into my dad’s war history, I learned of a special project – the 384th Bomb Group Wing Panel Signing Project.
The project provides 384th veterans an opportunity to inscribe their names on a piece of history – a skin panel from the wing of a WWII B-17G. By signing the panel, 384th veterans show their affiliation, pride and respect for each other, their service to Country, and honor the sacrifice of many in the war. The panel travels all over the United States for interested 384th veterans to sign.
The Wing Panel Project is coming to Florida in January. The organizers of the project have located one 384th veteran in Ocala who will be signing the panel, but they are seeking more 384th veterans in the Ocala area. They are seeking only veterans of the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) who served during WWII, specifically from December 1942 through the end of the war in mid-1945.
The opportunity to sign the panel is not restricted to combat crewmembers. All who served in the 384th during training in the US, at the Grafton Underwood airfield in England during combat operations, and in post-war activities in Istres, France, are qualified to sign.
The panel will be in Ocala the latter part of January, currently scheduled from January 24th to the 27th. Qualified 384th veterans who would like to sign the panel are urged to contact Fred Preller at B-17WingPanel@384thBombGroup.com.
The Arrowhead Club 