CAF TO NAME EDUCATIONAL FACILITY AFTER MIDLANDER GEORGE O'BRIEN

MIDLAND, Texas (Nov. 21, 2003) - The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) will hold a press conference 9 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003, at the CAF in the museum foyer to announce that its newest and largest educational facility will be named after Medal of Honor recipient George H. O'Brien. O'Brien will be among several special guests at the press conference.

The educational facility, to be named O'Brien Hall, will be located on the second floor of the soon-to-be-constructed World War II ground transportation museum and restoration facility. The museum, which will be approximately 80,000 square feet, will display World War II ground transportation vehicles and aircraft related artifacts as well as the CAF's B-29 Superfortress, more commonly known as Fifi, and B-24/LB30 Liberator known as Diamond Lil . The 9,000 square foot multi-purpose O'Brien Hall will provide facilities for seminars, symposia and conferences.

CAF officials selected O'Brien as the namesake of the hall because they felt as a recipient of the Medal of Honor, O'Brien was representative of all the military men and women who have served our nation. "This Medal of Honor is not mine; I hold it in trust for so many young people who didn't become grandfathers," O'Brien said.

O'Brien was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest decoration, for leading a daring charge as a Marine Second Lieutenant fighting in Korea. O'Brien's actions resulted in the recapture of a vitally important hill. He was presented the medal by President Eisenhower at a White House ceremony on Oct. 27, 1953.

Funding to build the museum facility came from a $2.35 million grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) in February of 2002. Under provisions of the grant, state funds will provide 80 percent of the total hangar cost while the CAF will be required to raise the remaining 20 percent.

A fundraising committee has been established to raise $300,000 for the O'Brien Hall. Committee members include Frank Kell Cahoon, Arden Grover, Nancy Anguish, Roy Williamson and Paul Morris.

The new museum facility will be located northeast of the existing hangar. An asphalt apron will also be laid to the north of the hangar to accommodate aircraft display, a taxi area and parking. Groundbreaking for the hangar is expected to take place in August of 2004. Construction is expected to be complete in time for a grand opening at AIRSHO 2005.

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