Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I.
Friends of Jenny, a group of volunteers in Kentucky and Tennessee, is working to preserve a piece of that history by purchasing the last remaining fuselage of a DeHavilland DH4, known as the Liberty Plane. The aircraft was the first fighter plane manufactured in the U.S. for the war.
Army veteran and pilot Dorian Walker of Bowling Green says once the fuselage is purchased, the Liberty will be reconstructed and placed back into flying status.
"Four of the eight medals of honor awarded for air service in World War I were awarded to DH4 crews," Walker told WKU Public Radio. "It's an amazing story and we're trying to remember those folks that we've long since forgotten."
Once restored, the Liberty Plane will be taken on a nationwide tour in 2017 alongside the Jenny, which was the nation’s first military trainer.
A Kickstarter campaign is underway through next Tuesday to raise $60,000.
