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

Jon McBride

1. Jon McBride Marker

Inscription.
Born Charleston, 14 August 1943, relocate to Beckley which he considered home Graduated Woodrow Wilson (1960), attended WVU, received BS U.S. Naval Postgraduate School (1971) Navy pilot in Vietnam (54 combat missions' thereafter served as test pilot and aeronautical engineer; retired as captain (O-6) in 1989. NASA astronaut 1979-1990. Piloted space shuttle STS-41-(1984), later gubernatorial candidate and politician.

Erected 2023 by Raleigh County Historical Society; City of Beckley.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Vietnam. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 37° 46.3′ N, 81° 11.373′ W. Marker is in Beckley, West Virginia, in Raleigh County. Marker is on Park Avenue just west of Granville Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 215 Park Avenue, Beckley WV 25801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Armory (1923 - 1961) (here, next to this marker); King’s Daughters / Raleigh General Hospital (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chris Sarandon (about 800 feet away); Sudden Death from the Skies (approx. ¼ mile away); Spanish Influenza Hospital

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. ¼ mile away); We Will Never Forget. (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alfred Beckley (approx. 0.3 miles away); Site of First State Police Headquarters (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beckley.

Jon McBride / First Armory Dual Plaques image. Click for full size.

October 25, 2023

2. Jon McBride / First Armory Dual Plaques

Mayor Rappold (r) and the Color Guard image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Becky Leach, October 24, 2023

3. Mayor Rappold (r) and the Color Guard

Woodrow Wilson HS Air Force JROTC Color Guard adding a mMilitary flavor image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Becky Leach, October 25, 2023

4. Woodrow Wilson HS Air Force JROTC Color Guard adding a mMilitary flavor

Dedication Program Principals image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sam Interdonato, October 25, 2023

5. Dedication Program Principals

From left, Merle Cole, RCHS Marker Program Officer; Rob Rappold, Mayor of Beckley; SMSgt. Shane Aston, WWHS AFROTC Instructor; and Becky Leach, RCHS Secretary.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2023, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 56 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on November 18, 2023, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on November 18, 2023, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. 2. submitted on October 26, 2023, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. 3. submitted on October 27, 2023, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. 4. submitted on October 26, 2023, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. 5. submitted on October 30, 2023, by Merle T. Cole of Daniels, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clearer photos of the marker and its context. • Can you help?