Tampa in Hillsborough County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Richard “Dick” Arens, Major USAF (Ret)
Hillsborough County Veterans Memorial Park
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, March 7, 2022
1. Richard “Dick” Arens, Major USAF (Ret) Marker
Major Arens was a Vietnam veteran who flew 443 combat missions as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) in the O-1 BIRD DOG. His military flying career also included flying the B-58 HUSTLER supersonic bomber, the B-47 STRATOJET and the F-4 PHANTOM. During his service Dick was Marker located within Hillsborough County Veterans Memorial Park. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor, the Bronze Star and the Air Medal with 18 Oak Leaf Clusters. Dick was a founding member and president of Ye Mystic AirKrewe (YMA), Tampa, FL. He was a skilled Instructor Pilot, training civilian aviators in the art of precision formation flying. Dick organized YMA "missing man" flights for funeral ceremonies at the Florida National Cemetery where he now rests. He worked tirelessly for the veterans organizations he loved, often coordinating Memorial Day and Veterans Day flyovers. Dick will be remembered for his enormous heart and handsome smile. He will be greatly missed by the YMA membership and those who were lucky enough to have known and loved him. Dick was a man of distinction who truly loved his country.
The Veterans Memorial Park and Museum, Tampa, FL
In Honor of Richard F. Arens, Major USAF (Ret)
this page online
Erected by Ye Mystic Airkrewe.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Valor in Aerial Operations series list.
Location. 27° 58.558′ N, 82° 21.757′ W. Marker is in Tampa, Florida, in Hillsborough County. Memorial can be reached from U.S. 301, 0.2 miles south of East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located within Hillsborough County Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3602 N US Highway 301, Tampa FL 33619, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Army Otter - Caribou Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Lt Col James Michael Basta (a few steps from this marker); Hillsborough County Vietnam Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The Green Beach Point of Incheon Landing Operation (a few steps from this marker); Lt. Baldomero Lopez (a few steps from this marker); K-9 Corps/K-9 Handlers (a few steps from this marker); Vietnam Women’s Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Korean Mother (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tampa.
Photographed By Brandon D Cross, March 7, 2022
2. Richard “Dick” Arens, Major USAF (Ret) Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 17, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
