The Lucky Legacy Project, in conjunction with the Luckadoo family, is raising funds to support the establishment of a commemorative bronze plaque dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of Major John H. “Lucky” Luckadoo.

On September 1, 2025, Major Luckadoo left formation and took flight on his final mission to bluer skies. This nation said farewell to an extraordinary individual; a larger-than-life officer and a gentleman who led by example, and whose story continues to inspire through the legacy that survives him.

While stationed in England with the 8th Air Force's 100th Bomb Group, Lucky overcame insurmountable odds, being one of only four other pilots out of his original class of 40 to complete the requisite 25 daylight bombing runs. His service and sacrifice in the air were a vital piece of the puzzle that eventually gained the Allied forces air supremacy, paving the way for the D-Day invasion on the beaches of Normandy that turned the tide of the war in Europe.

But Lucky’s legacy didn’t end there. Up until age 103, as one of the last remaining pilots of the 8th Air Force's 100th Bomb Group, Lucky felt it was his duty to share the stories of what he and his fellow airmen endured for this nation, for history, and for subsequent generations. It was a way to set the record straight, but also a way to pay homage to those who died in combat facing the same horrors he somehow survived.

Lucky dedicated himself to educating the next generation on the lessons of war. He delighted in speaking to school groups of all ages, and also tried to take every opportunity to speak to service members from all branches of the military. Those interactions were a unique window into the impact his service had on the next generation, and were always deeply rewarding for Lucky as well as for those he spoke to.

In January 2024, the release of the Apple TV series Masters of the Air, hurled Lucky into the spotlight. From his role as a primary consultant for producers Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, Lucky, drawing from his first-hand accounts, helped shape the narrative of the series that dramatized the experiences of the 100th Bomb Group and its contribution to the war. The series bolstered Lucky’s continued efforts to educate the next generation on the significance of WWII in history, and to emphasize the high cost of war.

Though Lucky seemed to gain celebrity status wholly against his will, he never changed from the gentleman he always was. He was, first and foremost, a family man, and dedicated himself to his family the same way he did to his country. His legacy continues through his family and through those of us fortunate to have been touched by his wisdom, his grace, and his humor.

The Lucky Legacy Project’s goal is to memorialize not only Lucky’s service to this nation and to all of us, but also to honor the man himself: a singular individual who left an indelible mark on all those he touched. Your contribution will go towards the creation of an 18" x 28" bronze plaque, cast in 3D relief, that will be placed in the memorial garden at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler, GA. Once established, we trust it will serve as a place where those who knew him can still connect with him, and following generations can still have the opportunity to learn from his story.

Draft of plaque to memorialize Lucky and his legacy.

We sincerely hope you’ll join us in honoring Lucky for all he has given to our nation, to history, and so many of us over the years. No donation is too small; it is your acknowledgement of Lucky and his legacy through your giving that matters the most. It seems impossible to repay the debt of gratitude we owe him and his generation for all they sacrificed to safeguard our freedoms and or way of life, but the Lucky Legacy Project humbly hopes this memorial can be a step in the right direction.

“I'm no hero. I'm a survivor. And if you lived through what we did, you were just a survivor."

~ Major John H. "Lucky" Luckadoo

For more information on the memorial plaque, or to learn more about Major Luckadoo, visit https://www.luckyluckadoo.com.