United States Air Force Academy in El Paso County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

B-52D Stratofortress

"Diamond Lil"

— 1957 - 1983 —

B-52D Stratofortress Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 23, 2024

1. B-52D Stratofortress Marker

Inscription. Dedicated to the men and women of the Strategic Air Command who flew and maintained the B-52D throughout its 26-year history in the command. Aircraft 55-083, with over 15,000 flying hours, is one of two B-52Ds credited with a confirmed MIG kill during the Vietnam Conflict.

Flying out of U-Tapao Royal Thai Naval Airfield in Southern Thailand, the crew of “Diamond Lil” shot down a MIG northeast of Hanoi during “Linebacker II” action on Christmas Eve, 1972.

Erected 1984 by General Bennie L. Davis, CINSAC.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold • War, Vietnam. A significant historical year for this entry is 1972.

Location. 39° 1.279′ N, 104° 51.035′ W. Marker is in United States Air Force Academy, Colorado, in El Paso County. It is at the intersection of North Gate Boulevard and Stadium Boulevard, on the left when traveling west on North Gate Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: USAF Academy CO 80840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front

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Range

and in Pikes Peak Region.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Comanchería.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "That Others May Live" 1943 — 1975 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Foundations of Air Power (about 400 feet away); World War I (about 400 feet away); "That Others May Live" 1976 — 2000 (about 400 feet away); The Interwar Period (about 400 feet away); World War II (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named World War II (about 400 feet away); "That Others May Live" 2001 — Present (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in United States Air Force Academy.

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 23, 2024

2. B-52D Stratofortress Marker

"Diamond Lil" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert L Weber, July 15, 2006

3. "Diamond Lil"

B-52 D Stratofortress image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert L Weber, July 15, 2006

4. B-52 D Stratofortress

Photographed by Robert L Weber, July 15, 2006

5. Tail view

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 23, 2024

6. B-52D Stratofortress

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 23, 2024

7. B-52D Stratofortress

Information Panel at site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert L Weber, July 15, 2006

8. Information Panel at site

Photographed by Robert L Weber, July 15, 2006

9. Information Panel at site

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2011, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,353 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 7, 2011, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. 6. submitted on August 24, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7. submitted on August 25, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 8, 9. submitted on June 7, 2011, by Bob (peach) Weber of Dewey, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.