The Lady Be Good: An intrepid symbol of two peoples’ shared sacrifice and history
On a spring day in 1943 a crew of nine American air-men set off from the shores of Libya and crossed the Mediterranean to conduct a daring bombing run in Axis-occupied Italy. Tragically, the plane crashed in Libya while returning to base and the valiant crew members perished in the Sahara Desert. The fate of the Lady Be Good and US airmen remained a mystery until prospecting oilmen first spotted the wreckage in 1953. Over the decades, the Lady Be Good and its crew have come to symbolize the ultimate sacri-fice made for freedom and democracy. But their story also speaks to the unique bond between Libya and the United States. The Lady Be Good is a reminder that the two countries’ histories and security are intertwined. When tyranny descended on Europe in the darkest hours of WWII, Libya remained an outpost for armies of the free world waging a battle against Nazi Germany.
Once again, war is raging in Europe and democracy is threatened, while the fate of Libya and the US are tied together. At this crucial time the Libyan-American Coalition is preparing a major undertaking which will further cement the bond between our two countries. We are embarking on an ambitious project to repatriate the Lady Be Good from Tobruk, Libya to the US. The welcoming ceremony will mark the bravery of the US soldiers, and enduring spirit of cooperation between the American and Libyan people. We are proud to undertake this event with the support and partnership of dignitaries, esteemed business figures, and political leaders from both countries. We would like to invite you to join us in this exciting endeavor uniting two people across oceans and continents to share in a common history.