Preserving WWII Air Force Stories
Uncovering lost histories of brave airmen and their missions.
Preserving WWII Air Force Stories
Uncovering lost histories of brave airmen and their missions.
About Our Mission
Our Story
At Greatest Generation Restoration, we focus on uncovering the untold stories of World War II United States Army Air Forces personnel. Our mission is to preserve these vital histories for future generations to appreciate and learn from.
ABOUT GGR
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About Greatest Generation Restoration
About Alan Skiffins
Greatest Generation Restoration
Greatest Generation Restoration
Alan Skiffins first became interested in aviation through building Airfix aircraft models, a hobby that sparked a lifelong passion. As a youngster, and continuing into adulthood, Alan Skiffins regularly attended airshows across the UK, developing a particular love for WWII warbirds. Although work commitments at times took precedence, his
Alan Skiffins first became interested in aviation through building Airfix aircraft models, a hobby that sparked a lifelong passion. As a youngster, and continuing into adulthood, Alan Skiffins regularly attended airshows across the UK, developing a particular love for WWII warbirds. Although work commitments at times took precedence, his enthusiasm for aviation endured. After moving to Hatfield, Hertfordshire, he began volunteering at a local aviation museum—the de Havilland Aircraft Museum (formerly the Mosquito Museum)—a role he continues to this day.
Alan Skiffins also serves as a remote volunteer supporting the Imperial War Museums’ American Air Museum at Duxford website. One of his earliest projects involved documenting all 189 de Havilland Mosquitos operated by the USAAF under reverse Lend-Lease, including their fates and detailed crew information.
While popular USAAF aircraft such as the P-51 Mustang and B-17 Flying Fortress are already well documented, Alan focuses on lesser-studied types like the P-47 Thunderbolt and the B-24 Liberator, working to fill gaps in the historical record. For the past ten years, he has conducted much of this research from home in the evenings after work, creating new database entries, tracking down crews, and recording their outcomes.
Alan Skiffins describes his work as “planting acorns in history” for others to discover. He regularly assists individuals who have reached dead ends after being told by U.S. archives that their relatives’ records were destroyed in the massive 1973 fire, and he takes great satisfaction in helping them begin the process of reconstructing those lost files.
Greatest Generation Restoration
Greatest Generation Restoration
Greatest Generation Restoration
Contact Us
1025 Alameda de las Pulgas #825, Belmont, CA, USA
About Meredith Larsen
Greatest Generation Restoration
About Meredith Larsen
Meredith Larsen is a volunteer researcher specializing in the history of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Her interest began with a personal search for answers about her relative, Ralph Munoz, a bombardier listed as MIA from the crew of Full House (42-3322), 96th Bomb Group. That journey led her through years of research, uncove
Meredith Larsen is a volunteer researcher specializing in the history of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Her interest began with a personal search for answers about her relative, Ralph Munoz, a bombardier listed as MIA from the crew of Full House (42-3322), 96th Bomb Group. That journey led her through years of research, uncovering hard-to-find sources and learning where fragments of WWII history still survive online and in private collections.
After discovering that Ralph’s official records were lost in the 1972 National Archives fire along with thousands of others, Meredith became determined to reconstruct his story through alternative records and methodologies. Through this work, she has developed strong skills in genealogy, including locating and connecting with family members of the service members she researches, and has also assisted individuals with their own personal research efforts. This experience inspired her to help others researching relatives whose histories were similarly fragmented or lost. Meredith has since assisted multiple groups internationally in commemorating American service members abroad. Passionate about preserving history, she values collaboration and enjoys connecting with people from all backgrounds who share an interest in USAAF history.
Filling holes in history
Support Our Mission to Preserve History
Your generous donations help us uncover and preserve the untold stories of World War II U.S. Army Air Forces personnel. Together, we can assist families and museums in piecing together their legacies and ensure their stories are never forgotten.