Veteran Shield
TRIBUTE
B-26 Invader
IN TRIBUTE TO ALL PERSONNEL OF THE 3RD. BOMBARDMENT
GROUP, LIGHT, NIGHT INTRUDER, WHO SERVED DURING
THE KOREAN CONFLICT, 25 JUNE 1950 TO 27 JULY 1953.
WE PAY PARTICULAR TRIBUTE TO:
CAPTAIN JOHN SPRINGER WALMSLEY, JR.,
PILOT
KILLED IN ACTION 14 SEPTEMBER1951
AWARDED
THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
POSTHUMOUSLY
MAY THE SACRIFICE OF 54,246 AMERICANS WHO
UNSELFISHLY GAVE THEIR LIVES DEFENDING FREEDOM
NOT HAVE BEEN IN VAIN.
PEACE
DEDICATED THIS 30TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1988.
The A-26, a follow-up airplane to the A-20 HAVOC, made its first flight on July 10, 1942. Production delivery began in August 1943, and on Nov. 19, 1944, it went into combat over Europe. It was used for level bombing, ground strafing and rocket attacks. By the time production halted after VJ-Day, 2,502 Invaders had been built. The A-26 was redesignated the B-26 in 1948. During the Korean Conflict, the airplane entered combat once again, this time as a night intruder to harass North Korean supply lines. During the early days of Vietnam, the invader went into action for the third time. Also, the Air Force ordered 40 modified B-26B's with more powerful engines, and increased structural strength designated the B-26K. The airplanes were designed for special air warfare missions. In 1966 the B-26K was redesignated the A-26A.
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The (aerospace vehicle A-26C) is a part of the USAF Heritage Program Collection.
