Red Bluff in Tehama County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

In Memory - Ken Carlson

World War II Ace

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 29, 2010

1. In Memory - Ken Carlson Marker

Inscription. Ken went to war against the Germans with the American Eagle Squadron in 1940. He became an ace before the U.S.A. entered the war against Germany.

He shot down 13 German aircraft in the war torn skies over England and France in World War II. Ken was shot down twice by ground fire while strafing German air fields. Each time he escaped and made his way through the "French Underground" back to England. Two days later he was fighting the Germans.

In Korea, Ken was the first man to shoot down a Russian Mig jet with an obsolete P-51 fighter.

A bomb hung up in the same fighter and blew up on landing, tearing the P-51 apart.

May God Bless This Boy
"Who once did so much for America - and for all of us"

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Heroes • War, Korean • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.

Location. 40° 10.557′ N, 122° 14.113′ W. Marker is in Red Bluff, California, in Tehama County. Marker is at the intersection of Washington Street and Oak Street on Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 555 Washington Street, Red Bluff CA 96080, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. I.O.O.F. Odd Fellows Lodge No. 76 (within shouting distance of this marker); Tehama County World War I Memorial

Paid Advertisement

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

Click or scan to see
this page online

(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Peter's Episcopal Church (about 400 feet away); Cone & Kimball Building Clock Tower Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Moore's Blacksmith Shop (approx. ¼ mile away); The First Christian Church (approx. ¼ mile away); William B. Ide Adobe (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named William B. Ide Adobe (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Red Bluff.

More about this marker. The marker is mounted on a brick monument on the corner of Oak Street and Washington, in front of the Red Bluff City Hall.

Photo of Ken Carlson inset in marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown, May 29, 2010

2. Photo of Ken Carlson inset in marker

In Memory - Ken Carlson Marker - wide view, with the Red Bluff City Hall in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 29, 2010

3. In Memory - Ken Carlson Marker - wide view, with the Red Bluff City Hall in the background

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,170 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 20, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.