More Major Artifacts Added As National Army Museum Takes Shape

Friday, March 1, 2019

As National Army Museum Takes Shape (NAPSA)—Twohistoric helicopters, a WWE-eraLiberty Truck, and an anti-air- craft weapon were thelatest macro artifacts installed in the National Museum of the United States Army nowunder construction at Fort Belvoir, Va. Crews recently hoisted into place one of the iconic “Huey” helicopters made famous during the Vietnam War. The massive, four-ton aircraft flown by the 129th Aviation Company, 10th Combat Aviation Battalion now hangs above the Museum's Cold War Gallery. Oneof the iconic Hueys flown in the Vietnam Waris preparedforinstallation in the National Museumofthe United States Army. Alsoinstalled was an R-4Bhelicopter, more commonly known as “The Sikorsky? in the ArmyandSociety Gal- lery. TheSikorsky was the world’first mass-produced helicopter and used in World WarII. Sikorsky helicopters made history in 1944 conducting the first combatrescue mission in the China-Burma-India Theater and the first helicopter mercy mission whenit trans- ported bloodplasma to sailors who sur- vived the sinkingof the USS Turner. In April, a World War I Liberty Truck and World War II Bofors Gun were placedinto position. The Liberty Truck, also in the Armyand Society Gallery, was thefirst truck specifically developed for military use. Experts say this truck was restored to near-originalcondition. ‘The scenedisplaying the Bofors Gun, a naval and land anti-aircraft weapon adopted by the US. Army in 1941, will depict African-American Soldiers of the 466th Anti-aircraft Artillery (AW)Battalion preparing to fire on Japanese aircraft attacking an Armyairfield in New Guinea. The Museumwill open next year at Fort Belvoir, Va. and constructionofthe buildingis largely funded by individual donations made through The Army Historical Foundation. The Foundation also raises funds through the Army Brick Program andUnit Tributes, which allow individuals and Army Units to order personalized bricks and plaques that will line the Museum's outdoor pathways. These permanent recognitions can be ordered through the Foundation’s website, armyhistory.org.

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