While the British continued to bomb German cities at night, the Americans decided to take on the much more dangerous task of bombing defense industries by day.

The Alhambra Theatre in Sacramento.

Source: Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center (2001/ x-03/ 007)

A squadron leader briefs bomber crews moments before the next mission. England, November 11, 1943.

Source: National Archives (342-AF-26058AC)

In Hardwick, England, A B-24 Liberator crew of the 93rd Bomb Group prepares for a mission.

Source: National Archives (342-AF-26052AC)

Earl Burke was born in Sacramento on August 18, 1923 and graduated from McClatchy High School. His only sibling, his older brother, Thomas, served in the Army Air Corps, and was killed on a training mission in Puerto Rico in October of 1942. Earl enlisted in the Army a few . . .

Airmen Earl Burke of Sacramento. A ball turret gunner on a B-17, he was wounded while serving with the 8th Air Force in France and Germany.

Source: Earl Burke

Earl Burke beside a B-17 ball turret gun. The Sacramento native would be wounded while serving with the 8th Air Force in France and Germany.

Source: Earl Burke

Sacramento's Earl Burke, front row center, with other airmen of the 8th Air Force.

Source: Earl Burke

Earl Burke in 1942. A ball turret gunner on a B-17, he was wounded while serving with the 8th Air Force in France and Germany.

Source: Earl Burke

Earl Burke in England. 1943. A ball turret gunner on a B-17, he was wounded while serving with the 8th Air Force in France and Germany.

Source: Earl Burke

Earl Burke at Reno Army Air Base. 1942. Photo is Inscribed to his father. A ball turret gunner on a B-17, Earl was wounded while serving with the 8th Air Force in France and Germany.

Source: Earl Burke

Sacramento's Earl Burke, left, recovers from a wound. Burke served with the 8th Air Force as a ball turret gunner aboard a B-17.

Source: Earl Burke

Earl Burke, right, his mother and brother, Tom. Earl would fly as a ball turret gunner in the 8th Air Force.

Source: Earl Burke

Western Union telegram notifying Earl Burke's family of Tom's death. 1941

Source: Earl Burke

Japanese-American evacuees, under the watchful eye of U.S. soldiers, wait outside trains at Santa Anita Assembly Center. April 5, 1942.

Source: National Archives (WC-0780)

Under the watchful eye of the U.S. Army, Japanese-Americans are evacuated from Salinas, California. May 1942.

Source: Library of Congress (LC-USF34-072513-D)

Aerial of downtown Sacramento, including the Capitol building, ca. 1940.

Source: Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center (83-01-111)

Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, ca. 1940.

Source: Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center (83/01/7288)

The dome of the State Capitol rises above a tree lined street in Sacramento.

Source: Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center (83-01-10,436)

A boy delivers the Sacramento Bee by bicycle. Burt Wilson served as a Bee carrier during the early 40s.

Source: Sacramento Archives and Museum Collection Center (83-01-10446)