Purdy Township in Barry County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
U.S. Navy Commander Edward Estes
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 21, 2023
1. Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Marker
This Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was generously donated to the City of Purdy by the Department of Navy, Naval Air Systems, in response to the joint acquisitions efforts of the late Norman “Gabby” Gibbons and U.S. Navy Commander Edward Estes. The City of Purdy dedicated it on July 23, 1977 as a tribute to those who have sacrificed in defense of our Nation's freedom and specifically to U.S. Navy Commander Edward Estes, whose similar A-4 Skyhawk was shot down in North Vietnam. Estes was a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 1968 to 1973.
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk was produced for the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy from 1954-1979 at a cost of approximately $3 million per unit. The Skyhawk had a top speed of more than 670 mph and played a key role in the Vietnam war.
Erected by Purdy High School National Honor Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Patriots & Patriotism • War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is July 23, 1977.
Location. 36° 48.942′ N, 93° 55.138′ W. Marker is in Purdy, Missouri, in Barry County. It is in Purdy Township. Marker can be reached from the intersection of East State Highway C and Gabby Gibbons Drive, on the right when traveling east
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Purdy Veteran's Memorial (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); War Memorial (approx. 6.6 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.6 miles away); Christopher G. Stark Memorial (approx. 6.6 miles away); Secession Convention in Cassville (approx. 9.9 miles away); Butterfield Overland Mail in Missouri - 1858-1861 (approx. 9.9 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 10.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Purdy.
Also see . . .
1. Douglas A-4 Skyhawk (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a single-seat subsonic carrier-capable light attack aircraft developed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps in the early 1950s. The delta-winged, single turbojet engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later by McDonnell Douglas. The aircraft's five hardpoints support a variety of missiles, bombs, and other munitions. Skyhawks played key roles in the(Submitted on August 1, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Vietnam War, the Yom Kippur War, and the Falklands War. In 2022, nearly seven decades after the aircraft's first flight in 1954, some of the 2,960 produced (through February 1979) remain in service with the Argentine Air Force and the Brazilian Naval Aviation.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 21, 20232. Douglas A-4 Skyhawk Marker & Exhibit(marker is mounted at eye-level on the aircraft support pier, facing East State Highway C)
2. Edward D. Estes (Veteran Tributes). Excerpt:
LCDR Estes attended A-4 Skyhawk Replacement Air Group training with VA-125 at NAS Lemoore, California, from January to June 1966, followed by service as an A-4 pilot and Maintenance Officer with VA-112 at NAS Lemoore from July 1966 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on January 3, 1968. After spending 1,898 days in captivity, CDR Estes was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973. Capt Estes attended National War College in Washington, D.C., from August 1976 to June 1977, and later served as Commander of Tactical Air Control Group TWO at PSD Little Creek, Virginia, from August 1984 until his retirement from the Navy on August 1, 1986.(Submitted on August 1, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 79 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
