Capitol Hill in Tallahassee in Leon County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Sarasota County
Florida World War II Memorial
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, November 13, 2022
1. Sarasota County Marker
The 97th Bomb Group, U.S. Army Air Corps arrived in Sarasota, FL
on March 29, 1942 with four squadrons and all service units.
The 97th trained in Sarasota until deployed to England on
May 14, 1942. The 97th was the first U.S. bomb group in England
and the first Americans in American planes to fly high altitude
bombing raids.
Captain Paul Tibbets, Jr., commander of one of the 97th Squadrons,
while in Sarasota, flew the lead. He later gained fame when
he flew the Enola Gay, named after his mother, to Hiroshima.
In the heart of Sarasota County, Venice Army Air Base and its
station hospital were established, housing over 6,000 troops and
serving a three county area. Over 20,000 American, British and
Chinese P-39, P-40, P-47 and P-51 Mustang fighter pilots were trained
there, including the all-Chinese 14th Service Group founded at the
request of Madam Chiang Kai-Shek.
Erected 2005 by The State of Florida.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is May 14, 1942.
Location. 30° 26.264′ N, 84° 17.069′ W. Memorial is in Tallahassee
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in North Florida. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep 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: St. Lucie County (here, next to this marker); Putnam County (here, next to this marker); Sumter County (here, next to this marker); Palm Beach County (here, next to this marker); Pinellas County (here, next to this marker); Taylor County (here, next to this marker); Orange County (here, next to this marker); Okaloosa County (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tallahassee.
Also see . . .
1. Sarasota Army Airfield Training Footage and Home Movies. (Submitted on November 17, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. State of Florida Veterans Memorials. (Submitted on November 17, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
Photographed by Brandon D Cross, November 13, 2022
2. Sarasota County Marker (center)
Public Domain
3. Captain Paul Tibets Jr., 97th Bomb Group
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 274 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 17, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
