Battle of Britain 85th Anniversary Plaque Dedication & Reception

The British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia proudly partners with the British & Commonwealth Remembrance Project, the Royal Air Force and Saint Joseph’s University to host a by invitation only reception and plaque dedication ceremony commemorating the 85^th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

The plaque includes the names of two pilots from Pennsylvania who risked their lives in this endeavor.

In the summer and autumn of 1940, Great Britain was alone, fighting Nazi Germany. A tremendous aerial battle was fought from July to October over the skies of England; the Nazi Luftwaffe fought the Royal Air Force for command of the skies. Had Great Britain lost this battle, the invasion of the country would have followed. In this conflict, fighter pilots showed great bravery, flying multiple missions per day in the harshest of conditions. Britain’s Royal Air Force was supported by pilots from across the globe. There were 10 pilots born in the United States, a country which at the time was still neutral. These pilots joined the Royal Air Force and fought valiantly in the Battle of Britain.

Now on the 85^th anniversary, the time has come to honor the pilots in their home states where they were born. This project acts as a physical permanent marker of these mens’ brave efforts. By placing bronze plaques in the states these men called home, we draw attention to their valiant acts and heroism. As Sir Winston Churchill said, “never before has so much been owed by so many, to so few.”

Saint Joseph’s University hosts the only Air Force ROTC program in the region, serving 22 area colleges and universities. The program has been operating since the 1950s and serves about 80 cadets annually, with 6-12 graduates who enter the Air Force each year. The University has an active Veterans Affairs Office, and they are honored to be the custodians of the plaque commemorating the long-standing ties and allyship between Great Britain and the Greater Philadelphia region. Please contact babc@babcphl.com with questions.

This special event is one of several taking place across the United States between the Battle of Britain Day, September 15 and Armistice Day, November 11, 2025.

Hosted by:

Posthumous honorees: