The 8th Air Force in World War II
The number of Americans who served with the unit in England between 1942 and 1945: 250,000.
The number of 8th Air Force members awarded the Medal of Honor, including Sgt. Maynard Smith, the first enlisted airman: 17. The Mighty Eighth has the highest number of Medal of Honor winners of any numbered air force that served in World War II.
Pilots designated as aces, including 31 aces with more than 15 confirmed kill: 261.
Number of members killed: 26,000.
Bombers the unit lost during World War II: 4,361.
Fighters the unit lost during World War II: 1,931.
Unit’s portion of all sorties flown in World War II: 28 percent.
Portion of all bombs dropped the war: 35 percent
Portion of all aerial victories of World War II: 42 percent.
Portion of all Army Air Forces killed, missing, or wounded in action: 47 percent.
Source: Lane Callaway, 8th Air Force historian
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