, GA1 – The Mighty 8th
Posted By Smudew on July 28, 2009
Don (Smick) has worked along side a very nice man named Henry Hughey for many years. Henry was in the 8th Air Force, 838th Squadron, 487th Bomb Group and was stationed in Lavenham, England during World War II.
Through the years, both the 8th Air Force and the 487th Bomb Group have had reunions, meetings, parades, etc., and Don and I would help with Banquet Programs, Tickets, Signs, Banners and things like that.
In 2007, The Mighty Eighth Air Force Celebrated it’s 65th Anniversary in Savannah, Georgia, the birthplace of the 8th during World War II. Don and I were invited as the guests of the 8th. We were tickled pink and of course, we went. During the three day event we had a blast and we also learned a lot about these wonderful people and the 8th Air Force.
After we were back home, as a thank you to Henry and the other gentleman in charge, Albert MacMahan, we put together two beautiful photo albums and a really nice video of the whole event. Luckily for us, The Memphis Belle had just been on TV, so we used alot of the B-17 footage you will see in all the videos from that movie.
Don took the albums and DVD’s in to work to give to Henry and Albert and he said that Henry couldn’t hardly wait to leave work so he could get home and see the DVD.
Henry called me later that evening and told me how much they had enjoyed it. During the next few weeks we had to make about 50 more copies for other folks. Then Henry said to us, “Ya’ll are coming to the Charleston Reunion!”
So, our fate was sealed. 
We have been to several events and we do all the Portraits, the Memory Books and DVD’s and all the proceeds go to either the 8th Air Force, the 8th Air Force Historical Society or the 487th Bomb Group.
We really like all these people and we love Henry and his wife Jean and Albert and his sister Carolyn. They are like family to us.
Number of Views:0
My name is Katherine Irvin. I have recently received a box of my Fathers things. I never knew him well and he passed on 8 years ago. I was wondering if anyone knew him or could tell me anything about him, his military career, or just who he was.
I found lots of military documents, letters, pictures, orders, etc. in the box. He was a member of the 487th and at some time was Commander of the 838th. His name is
LTC Orville Lee (Buck) Buchanan. He was a pilot.
I found orders awarding him the French Croix de Guerre with Silver Gilt Star. Apparently his was misplaced and he was trying to get another one. I also have the order from General de Gaulle. Lots of pictures, aerial shots and documents.
I am a retired Army NCO and would very much like to learn more about my Fathers missions, achievements, but, especially why he was awarded the Croix de Guerre.
Thank you, Katherine Irvin-Buchanan
Hello Katherine,
We think we have heard Henry speak of your father. I will contact Henry later this morning and read him your comment. I will also let Lee Hauenstein at the 487th know.
Stay Tuned….
Smudew