A ten-man bomber crew poses proudly before their Consolidated B-24 Liberator, 'Fords' Folly,' on 28 July 1944. The nose art's row of small bomb symbols marks each completed combat mission, a point of pride for crews who faced heavy anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition on every sortie over enemy territory. Dressed in flight jackets and life vests, these airmen of the 579th Bomb Squadron represent the thousands of young Americans who flew such missions as part of the Allied strategic bombing campaign during World War II. Project: 218549