Gosnell in Mississippi County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Brave Men from the 97th Bombardment Wing

1. Brave Men from the 97th Bombardment Wing Marker

Inscription. To honor the memory
of these brave men from
the 97th Bombardment Wing
at Blytheville Air Force Base
who did not return after their
B-52 aircraft was shot down
over Hanoi, North Vietnam in
December 1972
Col. Keith R. Heggen
Lt. Col. Donald L. Rissi
Major Bobby A. Kirby
Capt. Randall J. Craddock
Capt. George D. Lockhart
Capt. Ronald D. Perry
Capt. Robert J. Thomas
Capt. Charles E. Darr
SmSgt. Walter L. Ferguson

Erected by their families, compatriots and friends.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1972.

Location. 35° 57.54′ N, 89° 57.74′ W. Marker is in Gosnell, Arkansas, in Mississippi County. Marker is at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Chestnut Drive, on the right when traveling east on Memorial Drive. Located on the former Eaker Air Force Base (also known as Blytheville Air Force Base), a few blocks inside the west gate. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gosnell AR 72319, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Blytheville Black Commercial Historic District (approx. 3.8 miles away); Mississippi County Korean War Memorial (approx. 3.8 miles away);

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In Memoriam to those Men From Mississippi County Who Gave Their Lives in The Viet Nam War (approx. 3.8 miles away); Medal of Honor (approx. 3.8 miles away); United States of America (approx. 4 miles away); Hornersville (approx. 10 miles away in Missouri); Herman Davis (approx. 12.9 miles away).

More about this marker. The Gosnell community has taken steps to ensure this memorial is preserved for future generations.

Also see . . . Eaker Air Force Base. Blytheville/Eaker was an active Strategic Air Command until the post Cold War draw down in the 1990s. (Submitted on November 4, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Close Up of the Plaque image. Click for full size.

2. Close Up of the Plaque

Photos at the Base of the Memorial (Part 1) image. Click for full size.

3. Photos at the Base of the Memorial (Part 1)

Photos at the Base of the Memorial (Part 2) image. Click for full size.

4. Photos at the Base of the Memorial (Part 2)

Photos at the Base of the Memorial (Part 3) image. Click for full size.

5. Photos at the Base of the Memorial (Part 3)

6. B-52 Model

7. Brave Men from the 97th Bombardment Wing Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 3,626 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 4, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.