Myrtle Beach in Horry County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Cuban Missile Crisis
By many accounts, the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis was the nearest the world has come to nuclear war. In the summer of 1962, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev secretly decided to install intermediate range ballistic missiles in Cuba to counter an emerging United States lead in strategic missiles.
In October 1962, high altitude reconnaissance photographs showed missile installations under construction in Cuba. President John Kennedy ordered a naval blockade of Cuba, and substantial Army and Air Force forces were positioned in Florida.
All four 354th Tactical Fighter Wing squadrons deployed and began a conventionally armed 24/7 alert posture at McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando, Florida.
The crisis lasted 13 days until a compromise was reached, but elements of the Wing remained in place in Florida until mid-January 1963.
Brigadier General Gilbert Meyers, commander of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, and Major Stanley Mamlock, commander of the 352nd Tactical Fighter squadron, discuss the Cuban deployment. The General, along with the Major, had just landed at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base on December 1 after spending six weeks at McCoy Air Force Base, Florida, where he commanded the Air Division Provisional 2.
Tired and weary, but happy to be home again, are these personnel of the 354th Combat Support Group. They returned to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, December 2, 1962, after a six-week deployment to a Florida base during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Cold.
Location. 33° 40.05′ N, 78° 56.399′ W. Marker is in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in Horry County. Memorial is at the intersection of Hackler Street and Howard Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Hackler Street. Located in Market Common Valor Memorial Garden. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Myrtle Beach SC 29577, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mr. Fred Nash (here, next to this marker); The Berlin Crisis 1961 (a few steps from this marker); Desert Storm (a few steps from this marker); Lt Col Colin Arnold Clarke (a few steps from this marker); Cold War - Dominican Republic (a few steps from this marker); The Cold War Era 1956 - 1958 (within shouting distance of this marker); Valor in Combat (within shouting distance of this marker); Prisoners of War and Missing in Action (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Myrtle Beach.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2017. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 429 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 20, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.