Mission

To preserve for all Americans the stories of courage, character and patriotism displayed by the men and women of the Eighth Air Force from World War II to the present.

"Mail Call: Wartime Letters of the Mighty Eighth" offers a heartfelt glimpse into the personal experiences of Eighth Air Force airmen during WWII. Through letters written to loved ones back home, listeners will hear the emotions, challenges, and hopes of these brave men as they served in the air war of Europe.

Each episode brings to life the voices of the past, connecting us to the human side of war through their own words. These poignant letters are drawn from the archives of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, in Pooler, Georgia, preserving their legacy for future generations.

Mail Call Letters 12/2/24

This weeks featured Mail Call is brought to you by our premier sponsor, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, highlights Staff Sgt. John Mortimer Yatsko, a ball turret gunner with the 91st Bomb Group, 322nd Bomb Squadron.

Sgt. Yatsko was shot down on October 9, 1943, in the B-17 "The Old Standby" and became a POW at Stalag 17-B. This week, we share letters written by his wife, Willie Low Swan, to her in-laws—family members she hadn't met yet. These heartfelt letters offer a unique perspective of those on the home front during WWII.

Photo credit: S/SGT John M. Yatsko photographs, including POW photo, from the Dawn Yatsko Stapinski Collection | American Air Museum

'The Old Standby' (42-5178 LG-L) 322nd BS, 91st BG Photo contributed by Joe Harlick | American Air Museum

12/9/24

This weeks featured Mail Call is brought to you by our premier sponsor, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, highlights an extraordinary letter received by S/Sgt. Lloyd Johnson, a ball turret gunner with the 384th Bomb Group, 544th Bomb Squadron, from Frenchman Robert Leruste. After S/Sgt. Johnson parachuted to safety, Leruste courageously gave him shelter, prior to Johnson being turned over to the French Gendarmes. This heartfelt letter is a reminder of the humanity and bravery found even amidst the turmoil of WWII.

Explore more incredible stories like this from the archives of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler, Georgia.

12/16/24

This weeks featured Mail Call is brought to you by our premier sponsor, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.

Today’s feature highlights a letter from Lt. William R. Benesch, a navigator with the 490th Bomb Group, 849th Bomb Squadron. In this letter to his wife, Benesch shares reflections on his missions over Europe and describes a brief but memorable trip to London during his downtime. His words offer a rare glimpse into the balance between duty and fleeting moments of respite for those serving in the Mighty Eighth.

Explore more incredible stories like this from the archives of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.

12/23/24

This weeks featured Christmas Mail Call Monday! is brought to you by our premier sponsor, the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.

Today’s feature comes from Tech Sergeant Alfred “Duke” Marcello, a top turret gunner and flight engineer with the 100th Bomb Group, 418th Bomb Squadron. On Christmas Day 1944, writing from Thorpe Abbotts, Duke sent a heartfelt letter to his pregnant wife, Norma. His words reflect the hope, love, and longing felt by so many servicemen far from home during the holidays, as they dreamed of brighter days ahead with their families.