Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Curtis P-40
Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 20, 2010
1. The Curtis P-40 Marker
The Curtis P-40 saw action on every front throughout WWII but gained lasting fame through the exploits of Claire Lee Chennault's American Volunteer Group (AVG) - The "Flying Tigers."
As inheritors of the flying legacy, Fourteenth Air Force fighter crews adopted the famous Tiger Shark mouth motif seen here. This is a replica of the P-40E flown by Bruce K. Holloway (1912-1999), who commanded the 23d Fighter Group of the 14th Air Force in World War II. Holloway finished the war with thirteen confirmed kills, tying him as the leading P-40 fighter ace in 15th Air Force. In addition to the P-40, 14th Air Force crews in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater flew a variety of aircraft with distinction, including the B-25 Mitchell, the B-24 Liberator, the P-38 Lightning, the P-51 Mustang, and the P-47 Thunderbolt.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II.
Location. 34° 44.28′ N, 120° 32.195′ W. Marker is in Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, in Santa
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Regionally, this marker is on California’s Central Coast, specifically on the Coast Ranges, and specifically in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 40th Infantry Division Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Camp Cooke Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); USAF Medal of Honor Recipients (approx. 0.4 miles away); Vandenberg Air Force Base (approx. half a mile away); Space Launch Complex 10 (approx. 5.2 miles away); Ronald W. Reagan Missile Defense Site (approx. 5.9 miles away); La Purisima Mission (approx. 6 miles away); First Successful Cement Job (approx. 7.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Photographed by Michael Kindig, October 20, 2010
2. The Curtis P-40 and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,067 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 15, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
