Published August 26, 2025

Back in a B-25: WWII Veteran Flies Again

Soaring above the clouds eight decades later. On August 23, 2025, at 101 years old, John Preklas climbed into the B-25 Champaign Gal, a restored World War II bomber, eight decades after he first saw combat in one as a flight engineer in 1943. With an impressive roar for an 81-year-old aircraft, the Champaign Gal […]

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Published May 13, 2025

Orville Wright’s Secret Cipher Machine

Beyond flight innovation. Orville Wright cemented his legacy when he and his brother, Wilbur, built the world’s first practical airplane, forever changing the course of human history. While the Wright brothers are certainly best known for conquering the skies, their inventive minds reached far beyond the realm of aviation. From selling bicycles at Wright Cycle […]

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Published March 12, 2025

The Navy WAVES’ Top-Secret Mission in Dayton

WWII’s hidden heroes. In 2022, Montgomery County, including Dayton, Ohio, was designated a World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service, recognizing the city’s vital contributions to the war effort. While Dayton is often celebrated for its aviation legacy, its role in World War II extended far beyond aircraft production and research. One […]

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Published November 29, 2024

Charity Adams Earley

The 6888th Battalion. In 2022, Dayton was designated as the state of Ohio’s only World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service. This recognition highlights the city’s substantial contributions to the war effort, driven by the bravery and resilience of its residents both on the battlefield and the home front. Among these notable […]

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