PORTLAND, Ore. -- During the Second World War, some 16 million Americans served in uniform in a global conflict against the forces of fascism and militarism. Out of the US population at that time, about 140 million people, 11 % wore the military uniforms of our country. Around two million servicemen and women deployed to the European Theater of Operations and contributed to the defeat of Nazi Germany.
It was on May 8, 1945 that US President Harry S. Truman proclaimed the Victory in Europe on what we now commemorate as V-E Day:
"For this victory, we join in offering our thanks to the Providence which has guided and sustained us through the dark days of adversity. Our rejoicing is sobered and subdued by a supreme consciousness of the terrible price we have paid to rid the world of Hitler and his evil band. Let us not forget, my fellow Americans, the sorrow and the heartache which today abide in the homes of so many of our neighbors--neighbors whose most priceless possession has been rendered as a sacrifice to redeem our liberty.
War ends for the 371st Fighter Group
The 142nd Wing at Portland Air National Guard Base was one of many air units which contributed to the Allied victory. At the time, before its postwar assignment to the Oregon Air National Guard, it was designated as the 371st Fighter Group and operated the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter bomber in the USAAF’s Ninth Air Force.
When the war in Europe ended, the group was in the middle of yet another one of its many wartime moves, in this case, from Advanced Landing Ground Y-74, Frankfurt-Eschborn Airfield, Germany to ALG R-30 at Fürth-Industriehafen Airfield, just northwest of Nuremberg, Germany.
From the group’s blue-leather covered warbook published in 1946, The Story of the 371st Fighter Group in the ETO, is this reflection on the arrival of V-E Day: “There had been so many false announcements of the end of the war, we had expected it for so long, that when VE Day was finally proclaimed it was anticlimatic (sic). A little schnapps would have helped put us in a celebrating mood, but its absence only lent sobriety to our thoughts. They were of many things: home and our families, the point system---would we have enough for a discharge?---the Army of Occupation---not a pleasant thought, the CBI Theatre of War, in other words, “Little man, what now?””
Fifty-five comrades never returned from the war; as of today, five men are still carried as missing.
The 371st Fighter Group and Victory in Europe Day History
For those wishing to learn more about the 371st Fighter Group’s V-E Day experience, as well as the group’s achievements and sacrifices in the war, please see the series of previously published V-E Day articles:
May 8, 2025. A look at V-E Day from squadron level, and some of the many Distinguished Flying Cross citations for 371st Fighter Group P-47 pilots awarded the DFC in helping achieve the victory, in “The War in Europe is Definitely Over” – The 371st Fighter Group and Victory in Europe, 1945,” here.
May 8, 2023. Excerpts from President Truman’s proclamation and a summary of the group’s mission results and losses in ““…a solemn but glorious hour” – Remembering the 371st Fighter Group on Victory in Europe Day, 2023” here.
May 7, 2020. An overview of the last combat missions of the war flown by the group right before the victory in “There at the Finish – The 371st Fighter Group on Victory in Europe Day” here.
May 8, 2015. A statistical recap of unit achievements and sacrifices 1944-1945, in “We Remember Victory in Europe Day (VE-Day), 1945” here.
Remembering V-E Day
On this 81st anniversary of V-E Day, let us remember the service and sacrifice of the 371st Fighter Group and all those who fought, bought and brought the victory over fascism in Europe.
Freedom isn’t free, not in 1945, nor in the modern day, as the Citizen Airmen of the 142nd Wing transition from the esteemed F-15C Eagle jet fighter to the powerful new F-15EX Eagle II. They continue to defend the sovereign airspace of the greater Pacific Northwest and serve community, state and nation even as this conversion takes place.