WWII letter to the parents of a crewman lost in air combat training:
"He did not lay down his life upon the field of battle, but his sacrifice is the same. He was preparing himself to defend those liberties and principles which had been taught to him from his early youth and which were a part of his very being. This may be small consolation to you in your bereavement, but you may well be proud both of his life and of his death."
B-24J 42-100023, lost on Casper Mountain, WY, June 17, 1944, Zorn crew
Ford Willow Run plant with 42-95559, 1944.
Lost at Bates Creek, WY, January. 1, 1945, Murchison crew.
Friends' community activities in recent years:
-
Glenn Miller Orchestra,
-
Hollywood Canteen recreation,
-
Museum exterior LED area lighting,
-
Restoration of CAAB 1942 Chev fire truck,
-
B-24J 42-95559, Lt. Murchison site discovery,
-
B-17F 42-5102, Lt. Machala site discovery,
-
B-24J 42-73411, Lt. Taraba site memorial,
- B-24J 42-100023, Lt. Zorn site discovery,
-
B-24J 41-28436, Lt. Trail site study.
Friends' upcoming and current activities:
-
Glenn Miller Orchestra, February 25, 2025,
Casper Ramkota, $15 dance, $60 dinner & dance
-
Friends gun raffle drawing, May 31, 2025,
-
Researching C-47 41-7834, Lt. Owens (Anna Majoras) ongoing,
-
Researching P-39 42-19508, F/O Cuck Yeager, ongoing.
Friends of the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum
3740 Jourgensen Ave.
Casper, WY 82604
info@wyovetsfriends.com
Friends of the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum (Friends) is a nonprofit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Wyoming (EIN 82-1005964) exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes.
The purpose of Friends is to support the mission, operations, activities, and staff of the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum. The Friends’ fiscal year is the calendar year. Meetings are monthly, unless decided otherwise by the Board.
The current Friends Board of Directors include:
President: Mark Milliken
Vice-president: Mike Kennedy
Secretary: Diane Mattern
Treasurer: Becky Steensland
Other members: Bruce Berst, Hank Washut, and Chuck Howe.
Board meetings are held monthly, or as necessary.
The Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum
The museum is located on the grounds of the old WWII Casper Army Air Base, at Natrona County International Airport, Casper, Wyoming. The building was the enlisted men's club during the war. It was donated by the building contractor during wartime base construction because the military had provided no club for the enlisted men. The museum was established by ex-base employee Joye Kading. She oversaw building restoration efforts by museum volunteers. Early volunteers include WWII veterans and Eagle Scouts.
Casper Army Air Base, 1942-1944
Casper Army Air Field, 1944-1945
History Summary
-
May 1942 - August 1942: Base construction,
-
September 1942 - April 1943: B-17 crews trained by the 331st Bomb Group,
-
March 1943: Crew training assumed by 211th Army Air Force Base Unit,
-
April 1943: Training transitioned from B-17s to B-24s,
-
February 1945: The last training class graduated,
-
November 1949: CAAF transferred to Natrona County,
CAAF trained over 1,600 heavy bomber combat crews (over 16,000 airmen).
During the war, CAAF employed nearly 1000 civilians, allowing Casper's economy to survive the depression.
Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum
The Museum is normally open 9 AM t0 5 PM, Tuesday through Saturday. Check the web site for their current status.
307-472-1857
John Woodward, Museum Director
Ford Willow Run plant with 42-95559, 1944
Friends Fund Raiser
Get Your Tickets Now!
Museum and Base Photos
