Soda Springs in Caribou County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)
Ground Observer Corps National Campaign
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 21, 2017
1. Ground Observer Corps National Campaign Marker
America Needs You in the Ground Observer Corps; YOUR HOME IS WITHIN EASY RANGE OF RED BOMBERS; 89 U.S. Cities Could Be Bombed In A Single Day; It was the Patriotic Duty of Each Individual....
The United States Government was afraid an enemy had the ability to attack our interior cities and rural areas in strong force with little or no warning.
In March 1954, a letter from N.F. Twining, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, voiced his concern about the growing capabilities of the Soviet Union to launch a surprise air attack against the country and stated how extremely important the Ground Observer Post was. This was emphasized further in June 1954 by Dwight D. Eisenhower.
With the belief that the Korean War served as a precursor to a possible Soviet attack, Air Defense Command had little difficulty recruiting volunteers. The Air Force used a variety of means to recruit volunteers, including newspaper, magazine, and radio ads. One radio advertisement announced:
"It may not be a very cheerful thought but the Reds right now have about a thousand bombers that are quite capable of destroying at least 89 American cities in one raid ... Won't you help protect your country, your town, your children? Call you local Civil Defense office and join the Ground Observer Corps today."
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Cold. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1954.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ground Observation Corps Soda Springs Post (within shouting distance of this marker); Ground Observer Corps National Planning (within shouting distance of this marker); George W. and Leah Wallet Gorton (within shouting distance of this marker); The Springs of Soda Springs (within shouting distance of this marker); "It Roars Like a Mad Dragon" (within shouting distance of this marker); Niels Anderson ---- Mary Christoffersen Anderson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Caribou Mountain (about 300 feet away); Wagon Box Grave of 1861 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Soda Springs.
More about this marker. This marker is located in Geyser Park.
Also see . . . Ground Observer Corps -- Radomes.org. (Submitted on July 27, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 21, 2017
2. Ground Observer Corps National Campaign Marker
Soda Springs, Idaho Ground Observer Corps Skywatch Post, 1956-1959 (on the hilltop)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 292 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 27, 2017, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
