Mighty Talks | One Pilot's Story

The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force's monthly Mighty Talk series continues with One Pilot's Story: From Pittsburgh to the Ardennes, presented by Bruce Halley. This program will take place on August 26th at 11:00 am at the museum.

The program is free to the public, but please register at https://forms.gle/RpZKBZ2HCT3PNMMN9

Optional Lunch: Join us for an optional lunch afterwards. $10/12 cash/credit for members or $15/17cash/credit for non-members.

About the Presentation
When he graduated high school in May 1941, Raymond Ankeny - like many young men at that time - planned to enroll in college, graduate, get a job, and start a family. All these plans were put on hold when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Raymond enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in early 1942 and was called up in 1943. After a series of stations and training programs, he earned his wings as a multi-engine pilot and was assigned to fly heavy bombers. His crew deployed to the 8th Air Force in England in late 1944 and began flying bombing missions in B-17s in January 1945.

On their 21st mission, they were shot down, and the plane crashed south of Dresden, Germany. The remains of the crew were eventually located and were relocated for identification at the Ardennes American Military Cemetery in Belgium, where he was buried in his final resting place in 1948.

This presentation will provide a review of his life prior to being called into service, snapshots of his training to become a pilot, life on the base in England, a review of his missions during the war, and some of their reflections about these missions. We will provide an in-depth review of this crew's final mission and the individual crew member outcomes, focusing on the 6 members who died that day. Finally, we will review the sequence of events surrounding their eventual recovery, identification, and burial, and the research effort to assemble this story.

About the Presenter
Bruce Halley is a dedicated researcher and family advocate committed to preserving the stories of World War II airmen. His work focuses on documenting the combat service and final missions of Eighth Air Force personnel, particularly those who served with the 490th Bomb Group. Through extensive research and collaboration with veterans' families, Halley helps ensure that the sacrifices and experiences of these airmen are remembered and shared with future generations.