During World War II, men and women at the North American Aviation plant in Kansas City, Kansas, built B-25 bombers in the Fairfax District. Between December 1941 and August 1945, more than 50,000 employees produced 6,608 of the aircraft. The B-25 Mitchell, named for General William "Billy" Mitchell, became widely known when 16 B-25s were launched from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet on a secret raid over Tokyo and other Japanese cities on April 18, 1942. Although the mission had limited military value, it provided a major morale boost for the U.S.A. The workers' pride, patriotism, and teamwork helped preserve freedom.
