Mr. Driessen founded the museum and dedicated it to the preservation of the historical significance of the American liberation of the Netherlands and the education of the Dutch youth. In addition, he was the driving force in establishing a series of commemorative events to honour and thank American World War II veterans that began in 1945. His dedicated and selfless service to the United States and its veterans reflects great credit upon him, the Department of the US Army and the people of the Netherlands. The United States Secretary of Defense, the Honourable Mr. William J. Perry also recognized Mr. Driessen efforts by providing him a US Department of Defense World War II 50th Anniversary Commemoration Committee Designee as Commemorative Community Award.

The 101st Airborne Division landed on September 17, 1944, in the area where the museum is located and they were very successful in obtaining their objectives. "Wings of Liberation" is connected with the C-47 and C-53, which flew thousands of paratroopers into the Netherlands during Operation "Market Garden" (considered to be the greatest Airborne operation of World War II) and Operation "Overlord" in Normandy otherwise known as D-Day.

The DC-3, first built by Douglas Aircraft Company in 1935, was originally manufactured for commercial airline use but was "drafted" to help the Allied cause during the war. Militarized DC-3's, also known as C-47's and C-53's, were named Skytrain and Skytrooper respectively. Britain's Royal Air Force also used C-47's and C-53's under the designation "Dakota". The RAF's use of the Dakota's has become somewhat of a living legend to such a degree that throughout the aviation world the name Dakota is commonly used to describe all DC-3 derivatives used during World War II. The primary difference between a C-47 and a C-53 was the cargo door. C-47's were used more for transporting cargo so they had an extra cargo door in the rear section of the plane. The C-53's were designed for paratroopers and glider tows. Although originally commissioned as a C-53C, this particular C-53C has a cargo door making it also a C-47C. In any case, by all accounts of aviation experts, the DC-3, in its many variants, is the most enduring transport plane in aviation history.

The paint scheme on this aircraft is exactly to the US Army Air Corps specifications for planes that flew over the Netherlands, helping to liberate the Country in 1944 in Operation Market Garden.

This particular aircraft was originally ordered as a DC-3 for Northwest Airlines and allocated the US registration N30026 but never delivered, being one of the 17 DC-3A transports acquired from these three airlines at a price of $160,470 each. It became C-53C, 43-2022 delivered on October 13, 1942 to the US Army Air Corps. The aircraft was transferred to the Reconstruction Finance Corporation on January 12, 1946. After the war it continued service with various airlines in the United States and most recently was a pilot trainer. During its service years it has continued to preform a myriad of duties such as crop spraying, air cargo service, fire fighting operations, and training, having accumulated over 55,000 hours.

This aircraft returned home -- roughly 50 years after its World War II tour of duty was finished, and with enough help the Dakota Squadron will keep the Dakota flying as a living tribute to the liberators of Holland and the men and women to whom the museum is also dedicated. The museum has a reconstructed typical Brabantine scene, in which original vehicles and equipment are placed, recalling the days of World War II. Further subjects found at the museum are D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of South-Limburg. Two audio-visual presentations presented at the museum illustrate the liberation of the Netherlands, from the beginning of Operation Market Garden on September 17th, 1944 until the Germans surrender on May 5th, 1945.

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