Smyrna in Rutherford County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Captain Jeff Kuss, USMC

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 12, 2021

1. Captain Jeff Kuss, USMC Marker

Inscription. Born in Durango, Colorado in 1983 to parents Michael and Janet Kuss, Jeff Kuss was the older of two boys; alongside brother, Eric Kuss. Kuss dreamed of being a pilot as a child. Beginning flying lessons before he could drive, Kuss obtained his pilot’s license at the young age of 17. After high school, he attended Fort Lewis College, graduating in 2006 with a degree in Economics. Kuss was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and reported to Pensacola, Florida for aviation indoctrination in July 2007. He earned his wings of gold in 2009. In January 2011, Kuss was promoted to Captain and went on to graduate from the Navy Fighter Weapons School, also known as Topgun, in 2012.

Marine Captain Jeff Kuss was a decorated pilot who, through his career, accumulated more than 1,400 flight hours and 175 carrier landings. Captain Kuss served in Afghanistan and earned the Strike Flight Air Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal during his time in the military. He joined the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron in September 2014, and flew as Opposing Solo for the 2016 team. Captain Kuss’ favorite part of airshows was meeting his youngest fans, as he was once one of those young fans and remembered the impact meeting pilots had on him.

On June 2, 2016, at the age of 32, Marine Captain

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Jeff Kuss lost his life in a tragic in-flight accident while flying as Blue Angel #6 in practice for the Great Tennessee Airshow. He is survived by his wife, Christina, children Calvin and Sloane, parents Janet and Michael, and brother Eric.

Captain Jeff “Kooch” Kuss was a fearless leader, a son, a brother, a husband, a father, and a hero. It is with great honor that the Town of Smyrna and its citizens pav tribute.

Erected by Town of Smyrna, Tennessee.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Disasters • Military. A significant historical date for this entry is June 2, 2016.

Location. 35° 59.758′ N, 86° 31.196′ W. Memorial is in Smyrna, Tennessee, in Rutherford County. It is on Sam Ridley Parkway (Tennessee Route 266) east of Nolan Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 102 Sam Ridley Parkway East, Smyrna TN 37167, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Middle Tennessee

and in Greater Nashville.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Smyrna Airport (within shouting distance of this marker); Smyrna, Tennessee World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Smyrna, Tennessee Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Smyrna Railroad Depot (approx. 0.9

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 12, 2021

2. Captain Jeff Kuss, USMC Marker

The memorial plaza includes a replica of Kuss' #6 Blue Angels jet.

miles away); Sam Davis (approx. 0.9 miles away); Dewitt Smith Jobe (approx. one mile away); Sam Davis Gravesite (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Sam Davis Boyhood Home (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smyrna.

Also see . . .
1. Capt. Jeff Kuss USMC Memorial. Site dedicated to the pilot and memorial to him, as well as the history of the Blue Angels and aviation in Smyrna. (Submitted on April 17, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. The mistakes that led to a deadly Blue Angels crash — and how the Navy wants to prevent them. By Meghann Myers in Navy Times. Posted Sept. 15, 2016. (Submitted on April 17, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 12, 2021

3. Captain Jeff Kuss, USMC Marker

The memorial plaza viewed from the east.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,004 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 17, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.