St. Cloud in Osceola County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Bell AH-1 Cobra

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 20, 2022

1. The Bell AH-1 Cobra “Snake” Marker

Inscription. The Bell AH-1 Cobra, “Snake”, was the world’s first specifically designed armed attack helicopter. During the Vietnam War, the need for a gunship to protect unarmed helicopters quickly became apparent, when many were lost to ground fire. First deployed to Vietnam in September 1967, it has seen action during the invasions of Granada and Panama and in Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. The Army removed the Cobra from active service in 1999.

The AH-1 used to fight forrest fires for the United States Forrest Service. Other countries that currently utilize the AH-1 aircraft are Bahrain, Japan, Jordan, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand and Turkey.

Crew: (2) pilot rear seat, gunner front seat, Speed: 175 mph, Weight: 14,750lbs, Max., Range: 395 miles, Length: 58 ft., Width: 38 in., Armament: chin-mounted 20 mm cannon, 8 Tow missiles, 19-shot 70mm rocket pods, wing mount rockets, cluster munitions, napalm, stinger missiles, and mini gun.

Erected 2004 by City of St. Cloud.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Parks & Recreational Areas • War, 1st Iraq & Desert Storm • War, Vietnam. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1967.

Location. 28° 14.742′ N, 81° 16.966′

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W. Marker is in St. Cloud, Florida, in Osceola County. It can be reached from the intersection of 13th Street (U.S. 192) and Pennsylvania Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located within Veterans Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Cloud FL 34769, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Orlando

and in Central Florida.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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 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 walking distance of this marker: The Thunderstorm Project (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Veterans Monument (a few steps from this marker); Veterans Park and Bandshell (within shouting distance of this marker); The Grand Army of the Republic (within shouting distance of this marker); First National Bank/St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Mule Stable (about 600 feet away); Hamilton Disston Purchases Four Million Acres (about 600 feet away); Four Firsts (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Cloud.

Also see . . . Veterans Park. (Submitted on October 25, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

The Bell AH-1 Cobra “Snake” Marker image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 20, 2022

2. The Bell AH-1 Cobra “Snake” Marker

Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society website entry
Click for more information.

Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, October 20, 2022

3. Dedication Plaque

Veteran’s Memorial Park helicopter pad

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 563 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 25, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.