The National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force received a generous contribution from one of its own recently.  Henry H. Bloch, the Kansas City tax services entrepreneur, made famous for starring in his company’s national TV ads, recently made a donation of $25,000 to the Mighty Eighth Museum.

Mr. Bloch flew 32 missions as a navigator on a B-17 Flying Fortress. His first mission was one of the early raids over Berlin by the Allies.  Mr. Bloch credits his experience as a World War II flight navigator for the successful trajectory in his business career. 

Mr. Bloch’s wartime experiences are detailed in a new book from BkMk Press at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Navigating a Life: Henry Bloch in World War II by John Herron and Mary Ann Wynkoop, soon to be available at the Museum’s Gift Shop.

“We are always heartened to learn that, behind an American success story, is a veteran of the Mighty Eighth,” said Museum President Scott Loehr.  “The fact that Mr. Bloch credits his experiences as a navigator with providing some of the sound judgment and fundamental preparations that made his company a household name is frankly thrilling to us here.  We thank him for his generous gift to the Museum and especially for his service to the country.”