Beckley in Raleigh County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Samuel B. Antonio

October 20, 2023

1. Samuel B. Antonio Plaque

Dual plaques mounted co-mounted in single ceremony.

Inscription. Captain Sam Antonio (b. Pax, 3 Jan 1916), learned to fly at the Beckley-Mount Hope Airport formerly located here, then became a pilot for Pennsylvania Airlines. He died on 21 May 1943, at the age of 27. Antonio was reportedly on a classified mission for the U.S. Military when his aircraft crashed near Macon, Georgia.

Erected 2023 by Raleigh County Historical Society & The Interdonato Family.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.

Location. 37° 48.677′ N, 81° 11.061′ W. Marker is in Beckley, West Virginia, in Raleigh County. Marker is on Beckley Plaza north of Industrial Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Beckley Plaza, Beckley WV 25801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cleared for Takeoff (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Aerial Gateway to Beckley (about 500 feet away); Beckley's Flying Circuses (about 500 feet away); From Agriculture to Mining (approx. 1.9 miles away); The Indian Path (approx. 1.9 miles away); Mortality (approx. 1.9 miles away); Clarence W. Meadows (approx. 1.9 miles away); Dinky Locomotive (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beckley.

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Antonio (circled) posing with Canadian and American pilots, Albert. Date unknown. image. Click for full size.

October 19, 2023

2. Antonio (circled) posing with Canadian and American pilots, Albert. Date unknown.

Principal Celebrants. image. Click for full size.

August 20, 2023

3. Principal Celebrants.

Seated, L TO R: Tom Harvey, Mayor Rob Rappold, Gene Harvey. Standing: RCHS officers Pio DeFlavis, treasurer; Becky Leach, secretary; Sam Interdonato, historian.

Historian Sam Interdonato relates the tale of his gallant uncle. image. Click for full size.

August 21, 2023

4. Historian Sam Interdonato relates the tale of his gallant uncle.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2023, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 74 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 22, 2023, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. 2. submitted on October 21, 2023. 3, 4. submitted on October 21, 2023, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

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