Near Del Rio in Val Verde County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Rudolf Anderson, Jr.
Photographed by James Hulse, October 19, 2019
1. Rudolf Anderson, Jr. Marker
U.S. Air Force pilot Rudolf Anderson was the only American airman shot down during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Born in 1927 in South Carolina, Anderson joined the military in 1951 and soon began flying reconnaissance missions during the Korean Conflict. Stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base by 1957, he was here when the Cuban Missile Crisis developed in October 1962. On October 27, while piloting a U-2 plane over Cuba to provide surveillance of a medium range ballistic missile site under construction, antiaircraft fire hit his plane, killing him. The Air Force decorated Anderson posthumously and in 2001 renamed Laughlin's operation building Anderson Hall. He is buried in South Carolina.
Erected 2006 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13695.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1962.
Location. 29° 22.069′ N, 100° 47.929′ W. Marker is near Del Rio, Texas, in Val Verde County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 90 and Liberty Drive, on the left when traveling west on U.S. 90. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Del Rio TX 78840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Military Aviation in Val Verde County (here, next to this marker); Lt. Jack T. Laughlin (here, next to this marker); Laughlin Army Air Field (a few steps from this marker); San Felipe Independent School District
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Rudolph Anderson. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 11, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. How the Death of a U.S. Air Force Pilot Prevented a Nuclear War. History website entry (Submitted on September 14, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
via Wikipedia, unknown
2. Major Rudolf Anderson, Jr. USAF
Photographed by James Hulse, October 19, 2019
3. Rudolf Anderson, Jr. Marker
The Rudolf Anderson, Jr. Marker is the fourth marker from the left in this group of four markers.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 686 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 14, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2. submitted on April 11, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on September 14, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
