National Museum of Transporation near Kirkwood in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Douglas Aircraft C-47A

"Gooney Bird"

— Military transport aircraft —

Douglas Aircraft C-47A Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, November 1, 2026

1. Douglas Aircraft C-47A Marker

Inscription.
This twin engine military transport plane began its career in service with the Ninth Air Force during World War. Built in Long Beach, California, it departed for the European front in May 1944, while its wartime service is unconfirmed by archival records, evidence suggests this plane was part of the D-Day invasion fleet in Normandy, France. The camouflage paint pattern shows invasion stripes placed to identify Allied aircraft during this historic battle. The C-47, the military counterpart to the civilian DC-3, acquired the nickname "Gooney Bird when troops serving on Midway Island in the South Pacific noted a resemblance to a local bird.

Following retirement from war service, the C-47A became a commercial passenger plane unit was acquired by the Missouri Air National Guard. An account from the National Guard claims that dignitaries including President Harry S Truman and a number of Missouri governors, US Congress people, and other elected officials flew aboard the C-47A during its 22 years in service to Missouri.

Erected by National Museum of Transportation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these

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topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.

Location. 38° 34.369′ N, 90° 27.692′ W. Marker is near Kirkwood, Missouri, in St. Louis County. It is in National Museum of Transporation. It can be reached from Barrett Station Road 0.1 miles Trossock Lane, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2967 Barrett Station Rd, Saint Louis MO 63122, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Douglas Aircraft C-47A Transport (a few steps from this marker); The H.T. Pott Towboat (within shouting distance of

Photographed by Garrett Koch, November 14, 2025

2. Douglas Aircraft C-47A Marker

this marker); Laclede Christy #2 (within shouting distance of this marker); Laclede-Christy Clau Products Company #2 (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Pacific #6944 (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Pacific #900081 (within shouting distance of this marker); Union Pacific "Big Boy" #4006 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Louis Southwestern Maintenance of Way #95589 (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kirkwood.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Tow Boat H.T. Pott (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on November 25, 2025, by Garrett Koch of Saint Louis, Missouri. Photos: 1. submitted on November 10, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. 2. submitted on November 23, 2025, by Garrett Koch of Saint Louis, Missouri. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.