United States Air Force Academy in El Paso County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

71st Fighter Squadron

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2020

1. 71st Fighter Squadron Marker

Inscription.

In Memory of those who served, those who gave their lives
and those who now serve defending our
precious gift of Freedom.

71st Fighter Squadron
1 Jan. 1941 - 30 June 1971

71st Tactical Fighter Squadron
1 July 1971 - 31 Oct. 1991

71st Fighter Squadron
1 Nov. 1991 -

1st Pursuit Group
5 May 1918 - 14 May 1942

1st Fighter Group
15 May 1942 - 30 Sept. 1970

1st Tactical Fighter Wing
1 Oct. 1970 - 31 Oct. 1991

1st Fighter Wing
1 Nov. 1991 -

World War II Engagements
Air Combat Europe-Africa-Mediterranean Theater • Air Offensive-Europe
Algeria-French Morocco • Tunisia • Siciliy • Naples-Foggia • Anzio • Rome-Arno
Normandy • Northern France • Southern France • North Apennines
Rhineland • Central Europe • Po Valley

Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citations;

Italy Aug. 25, 1943 • Italy Aug. 30, 1943
Ploesti, Rumania, May 18, 1944

Desert Shield-Desert Storm

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Patriots & Patriotism • War, 1st Iraq & Desert Storm • War, World II.

Location. 39° 0.926′ N, 104° 51.31′

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W. Marker is in United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, in El Paso County. Marker is in the United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, on Parade Loop west of Stadium Boulevard, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: USAF Academy CO 80840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 20^th Air Force (here, next to this marker); 18th Fighter Group • 318th Fighter Group (here, next to this marker); Seventh Fighter Command (here, next to this marker); 499th Bombardment Group (VH) (here, next to this marker); 497th Bombardment Group (VH) (here, next to this marker); 414th Fighter Group • 506th Fighter Group (here, next to this marker); 15th Fighter Group • 21st Fighter Group (here, next to this marker); 500th Bombardment Group (VH) (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in United States Air Force Academy.

More about this marker. Must have a valid ID to enter the USAF Academy grounds.

Also see . . . 71st Fighter Squadron. American Air Museum in Britain website entry (Submitted on December 9, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

2LT Albert Franklin Smith image. Click for more information.

via Find A Grave, unknown

2. 2LT Albert Franklin Smith

Papers of Albert Franklin Smith, a fighter pilot with the 71st Fighter Squadron
Wisconsin Veterans Museum website entry
Click for more information.

71st Fighter Squadron Marker on Memorial Wall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 10, 2020

3. 71st Fighter Squadron Marker on Memorial Wall

71st Fighter Squadron WWII patch image. Click for more information.

via Pinterest, unknown

4. 71st Fighter Squadron WWII patch

Joint Base Langley-Eustus Fact Sheet
Click for more information.

P-38J-15-LO #43-28777 Code: #48; 1st Fighter Group - 71st Fighter Squadron - 15th AF image. Click for full size.

via American Air Museum in Britain, unknown

5. P-38J-15-LO #43-28777 Code: #48; 1st Fighter Group - 71st Fighter Squadron - 15th AF

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 9, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on September 4, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on December 9, 2020, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on July 15, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 5. submitted on May 20, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.