Brownwood in Brown County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Marvin Lee "Lefty" Gardner

Confederate Air Force

Photographed by James Hulse, May 30, 2024

1. Marvin Lee "Lefty" Gardner Marker

Inscription. Marvin Lee "Lefty" Gardner was born on 10 September 1921. He joined the Army Air Corps at age 21. Lefty flew 34 missions in the European theater in World War II in B-24s and B-17s and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze stars. Instead of returning home, he volunteered to join an elite group of pilots flying clandestine missions from Sweden. They flew top secret missions at night in bad weather to recover downed flyers and bring supplies and classified documents to the underground movement and POW's. After 12 missions, he returned to Texas and finished his education at Texas A&M. Lefty started a crop dusting business and developed a process to control mesquites and noxious brush on West Texas ranches. Lefty helped found the Confederate Air force (CAF), now known as the Commemorative Air Force, and was the first procurement officer for the Confederate Air Force enabling him to travel the world to repair and ferry vintage World War II aircraft home. He was

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the chief check pilot and maintenance engineer for the CAF. He was legendary for his flying ability, especially in his P38 "White Lightnin" which he flew in many Reno air races and air shows. He won first place in the Reno Unlimited Gold Race in 1976 flying his P 51 Mustang "Thunderbird". Lefty was the long time Brownwood airport manager, crop duster, flight instructor, and fixed base operator, specializing in World War II airplane repair, restoration, and aircraft rental. Marvin Lee "Lefty" Gardner died on 24 December 2008.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II.

Location. 31° 40.621′ N, 98° 59.521′ W. Memorial is in Brownwood, Texas, in Brown County. It is on Crockett Drive south of Memorial Park Drive, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located at the northwest section of the Camp Bowie Memorial Park. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 3710 Crockett Drive, Brownwood TX 76801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Big Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico

The view of the Marvin Lee "Lefty" Gardner Marker along the pathway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, May 30, 2024

2. The view of the Marvin Lee "Lefty" Gardner Marker along the pathway

state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: LTC John S Palmer Jr (here, next to this marker); Roy Eldon "Buck" White (a few steps from this marker); S.J. "Skipper" Howard Jr. (a few steps from this marker); 1Lt Joe Henry (J.H.) Childs (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Jack Carlson (within shouting distance of this marker); Military Families and Spouses (within shouting distance of this marker); Obice da 149/19 modello 37 (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Billy T Branch (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownwood.

Also see . . . Marvin Lee 'Lefty' Gardner. National Air and Space Museum (Submitted on June 2, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 840 times since then and 124 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 2, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.