Bowling Green in Warren County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Brigadier General Edward Cherry, USAF
McDonnell-Douglas F-4D Phantom II
General Cherry was born in Youngstown, OH, on March 4, 1939 and moved to Bowling Green, KY as an infant. He and his family lived here until his father Henry Hardin Cherry Jr., began his career as an aeronautical engineer after serving in World War II. This required the family to live in many places, usually near airports, which resulted in Cherry's early interest in aviation. He graduated from South Cobb High School in Austell, GA, Florida Southern College, and received a Master's Degree from the University of Southern California.
Cherry joined the United States Air Force as an Aviation Cadet in 1959 and completed his service in 1988, retiring as a Brigadier General. He flew 295 combat missions during the Vietnam War and held the positions of Commander/Leader of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds; Commander of Moody Air Force Base, GA; Inspector General of the Pacific Air Forces; Commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing; and Commander of the Air Force Recruiting Service. Cherry accumulated over 4,000 hours of flying time and earned several military awards and decorations including: the Distinguished Flying [Cross]; the Silver Star with one oak leaf cluster; the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters; the Distinguished Flying Cross with nine oak leaf clusters; and the Air Medal with 34 oak leaf clusters. Cherry served in state government as Secretary of the Kentucky Justice Cabinet and was inducted into the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame October 2000.
McDonnell Douglas F-4D — SN 66-7550
On April 16, 1972 Cherry and his Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) Jeff Feinstein were flying this aircraft, F-4D #66-7550, as number three in a flight of four F-4D's on a combat air patrol mission over North Vietnam. After an intense five minutes dogfight, Cherry and Feinstein scored their first kill. It was a camouflaged MiG-21 flown by Lieutenant Nguyen Hong My, who survived the crash and the war, and was later the guest of honor on April 16, 2009 when Aviation Heritage Park was formally opened to the public. The incredible story is chronicled in Cherry's book, My Enemy—My Friend. Phantom 550 was manufactured in 1967 and completed her service in 1989 after accumulating over 6,000 flying hours. She was acquired by Aviation Heritage Park in December 2005, restored to her original colors and put on display in October 2008.
The USAF credited F-4 crews with 44 MiG kills over Southeast Asia, more than any other type of aircraft. Phantom II production ended in 1979 after more than 5000 had been built.
This aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
Crew: 2 (pilot and weapons system officer)
Length: 58 ft 2 in
Wingspan: 38 ft 5 in
Height: 16 ft 6 in
Powerplant: 2 x General Electric J79 turbojets
Weight:
Empty: 30,328 lb
Loaded: 41,500lb
Max take-off weight: 61,795 lb
Max Speed: Mach 2.23 at altitude
Cruise speed: 585 mph
Range: 1,615 miles with 3 external fuel tanks
Armament:
Air-toAir missiles
AIM 7 Sparrow
AIM 9 Sidewinder
Air-to-Ground missiles
General Purpose Bombs
Nuclear Weapons
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Valor in Aerial Operations series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1950.
Location. 36° 55.17′ N, 86° 26.095′ W. Marker is in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in Warren County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Three Springs Road (Kentucky Route 884) and Smallhouse Road, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in Aviation Heritage Park at Basil Griffin Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1825 Three Springs Road, Bowling Green KY 42104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Grumman F9F-5 Panther (a few steps from this marker); Lockheed T-33A-5 Shooting Star (a few steps from this marker); Col. Terrence ("Terry") W. Wilcutt, USMC (a few steps from this marker); Colonel Arnie Franklin USAF (within shouting distance of this marker); Jacob Skiles and Three Springs (approx. ¼ mile away); McFadin's Station / Cumberland Trace (approx. 2 miles away); John Hunt Morgan (approx. 2.9 miles away); Lost River Blue Holes, Trees, Wild Flowers And Quarrying Ruins (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bowling Green.
Also see . . . Above and Beyond: My Enemy, My Friend Dan Cherry and Hong My met in the skies over North Vietnam. Smithsonian Air & Space magazine website entry:
Can you imagine it taking 36 years before you were able to talk with your adversary and “get their side of the story?” That’s what Brigadier General Dan Cherry did for his engagement on April 16, 1972. (Submitted on September 30, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,100 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 30, 2011, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.