When it comes to military museums, the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio is one of the largest and oldest of its kind. It also has a unique history that includes tales of ghosts and other paranormal activity. In this article, you will learn about some of the legends, rumors and stories associated with the Air Force Museum.
A claim to fame of the museum is the collection of Air Force One planes that are on display. One of the standouts is the aircraft that transported John F. Kennedy’s body after he was assassinated. It was also the same plane that Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as president. A trip to the museum provides access to the National Aviation Hall of Fame, which has hundreds of airplanes and memorabilia on display. It has been a long-held belief that the Air Force Museum is also home to a handful of ghosts. This is why it has been listed as one of the most haunted places in the Dayton region, as well as in the state of Ohio.
The museum has become a popular place where psychics and other paranormal enthusiasts come to absorb the energy of the surroundings. Many have claimed to feel a presence described as ‘unsettling.’ Some visitors that don’t even have any psychic abilities have reported to spy a ghost or have an intense experience.
While paranormal activity is said to have occurred in all areas of the museum, there are some places that tend to attract more strange happenings and ghosts. Aviators that visit the grounds are said to have also had a special connection to the museum. The POW (Prisoners of War) exhibit has brought on feelings of uneasiness and dread. This part of the museum is especially interesting since more of the ghostly activity has been linked to the aircrafts.
Haunted Helicopter
During the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War, the Hop-Along was a helicopter that saw action. One of the last missions where the helicopter engaged in battle resulted in the death of the pilot. The blood is actually still visible on the pilot’s seat. It is said that the pilot that lost his life sometimes makes an appearance in the middle of the night , becoming visible to maintenance workers who have spotted the pilot sitting in his former seat. It seems that he continuously relives his last moments over and over again.
The Black Maria
During the Vietnam War, the Black Maria was an aircraft that was used to rescue soldiers and participate in high-level secret missions. When you see the body of the plane, you will notice bullet holes riddled in the side. Many people died inside of the plane, but an exact count is not available. Sometimes, when visitors come to the museum to see the plane, they can hear voices and moans coming from the inside of the aircraft. It is suspected that the voices are associated with the soldiers that may have died inside.
