Ellsworth Air Force Base in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
VB-25J Mitchell
General Eisenhower's Ride
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
1. VB-25J Mitchell Marker
This was General Dwight D. Eisenhower's personal transport in 1944 and 1945, when he led the Allied Expeditionary Force in retaking northwest Europe from the Nazis. Eisenhower traveled frequently to meet with other leaders or to visit troops at the front. All of the bomber's weapons were removed to make room for seating and bunks, a fold-down table as wide as the plane, extra electronics for navigation and communication, bulletproofed extra fuel tanks, and a life raft.
The Army feared that Germany might identify and target Eisenhower's plane. This is a rare time photo of this plane.
The windows added to General Eisenhower's transport still remain.
General Eisenhower was a licensed private pilot before the war, but never got good marks from his instructors.
DATA CARD
Top Speed mph · 300
Crew · 4
Range: Continental
Payload: No weaponry, modified for passengers
Erected by South Dakota Air and Space Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.
Location. 44° 8′ N, 103° 4.354′ W. Marker is in
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in West River, in the Badlands, and in Greater Rapid City. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: B-25 Mitchell (here, next to this marker); Interceptor Alert Hangar (a few steps from this marker); F-100A Super Sabre (a few steps from this marker); B1-B Lancer (within shouting distance of this marker); MIM-3 Nike Ajax (within shouting distance of this marker); Duke Corning (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial Park (approx. 0.9 miles away); South Dakotans Killed in Action in Afghanistan
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
2. VB-25J Mitchell and Marker
Right marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Rockwell B-1B "Lancer" (was within shouting distance of this marker).
Regarding VB-25J Mitchell. Although an official field museum of the US Air Force Heritage Program and is adjacent to Ellsworth AFB main gate, the museum does not require access onto the base.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
3. VB-25J Mitchell
Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 6, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
