Near Dateland in Yuma County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Boeing B-50A The "Long Ranger"

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 13, 2010

1. Boeing B-50A The "Long Ranger" Marker

Inscription. On the morning of March 23, 1950, an Air Force B-50 Bomber on a routine training mission, exploded and crashed north of the communities of Dateland and Hyder AZ. Two of the 14 crewman on board, Capt. John H. Lee and 1st. Lt. William T. Gentry, managed to escape the disintegrating aircraft and parachuted to safety. The 12 remaining crew members all perished in the crash.

This memorial is erected and dedicated to the memory of the crew of the "Long Ranger" who, while serving their country, made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of freedom.

Lt. Col. Harold E. Mignola • Tech Sgt. Cecil B. Horton Capt. Robert H Stephenson • Tech Sgt. Lewis E Womble Capt. Fred B. Smith • Staff Sgt Raymond D Darby 1st. Lt. Newell G Shepherd • CPI. Melvin E Gelino Sgt. William E Stovall • CPI. James I. Jones

43rd Bomb Wing, 65th Bomb Sqdn.

Erected 2005 by Stratgic Air Command.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Events. A significant historical date for this entry is March 23, 1943.

Location. 32° 47.968′ N, 113° 32.443′ W. Marker is near Dateland, Arizona, in Yuma County. It is on Ave 64E near Interstate 8, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located at the Dateland Travel Center at exit 67.

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Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dateland AZ 85333, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Colorado River Valley,

in the Sonoran Desert,

and in the Yuma Area.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Gadsden Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Datelan Army Air Field (here, next to this marker); Hyder Divisional Camp-Horn Divisional Camp Desert Training Center (here, next to this marker); The 81st Infantry Division (approx. 8.4 miles away).

Additional commentary.
1. B50 Long Ranger Marker, Dateland AZ
The B-50 Marker was erected by Richard Johnson of Tucson, AZ. I designed the layout and Richard paid for and organized the memorial service that was attended by multiple families of the crew.

— Submitted September 17, 2022, by Brad Gray of Gilbert, Arizona.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 13, 2010

2. Boeing B-50A The "Long Ranger" Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 13, 2010

3. Boeing B-50A The "Long Ranger" Marker

Marker is on right in photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,750 times since then and 65 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 21, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.