Sanford in Seminole County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Vietnam War

1954-1975

By AGS Media, December 30, 2011

1. Vietnam War Marker

Inscription. The Vietnam War began when Vietnamese nationalists ended one hundred years of colonial rule by forcing the French out of the country. The 1954 Geneva Peace Accords divided the country into North and South Vietnam to separate the opposing groups seeking control to the government. In 1961, President John Kennedy's administration began sending advisers into South Vietnam to train and arm the local population to halt the advance of the Communist forces of the north. The war escalated under President Lyndon Johnson and President Richard Nixon, with major battles in the late 1960s, and early 1970s. The war also spread to the neighboring countries of Laos and Cambodia. In January 1973, the Paris Peace Agreement brought an end to American involvement in the war. Fighting continued among the Vietnamese and South Vietnam fell to Communist forces in 1975. More than 58,000 Americans were killed in Vietnam, including 14 men from Sanford.

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• Captain Terry Cordell with Colonel Robert W. Garrett and a Vietnamese Montagnard Soldier

Sanford native Capt. Terry Cordell, of the US Army Special Forces, served as an advisor to the indigenous Montagnard people of Vietnam. He was killed when his helicopter was shot down in 1962.

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Naval Air Station Sanford was active during Vietnam

By AGS Media, December 30, 2011

2. Vietnam War Marker

Photo of Capt. Terry Cordell, Colonel Garrett, and Vietnamese soldier

until the closing of the base in 1968 when operations were moved to Albany, Georgia. The land was deeded back to the City of Sanford and today it is the site of the Orlando Sanford International Airport.

[ image: POW-MIA logo ] • "You are not forgotten"
Nine Vigilante pilots and Naval flight officers from Naval Air Station Sanford were held a prisoners of war in North Vietnam.

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The supersonic North American A3J Vigilante arrived in Sanford in 1961. This heavy attack bomber was converted to use as a high speed photographic reconnaissance aircraft for pre-target and battle damage assessment in enemy territory during the Vietnam War. All Vigilantes in the United States flew out of Sanford.

Location. 28° 48.916′ N, 81° 16.087′ W. Marker is in Sanford, Florida, in Seminole County. Marker is on Seminole Boulevard north of North Park Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. The marker is located in the City of Sanford's Veterans Memorial Park, which extends over a pier out into Lake Monroe. The marker is one of a few found along the pier's west boardwalk. Marker is in this post office area: Sanford FL 32771, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Korean War (a few steps from this marker); World War II

By AGS Media, December 30, 2011

3. Vietnam War Marker

Naval Air Station Sanford

(a few steps from this marker); Civil War (a few steps from this marker); City of Sanford World War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Seminole County World War Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Second Seminole War (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Gate City of South Florida (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sanford.

Categories. • Air & Space • War, Vietnam •

By AGS Media, December 30, 2011

4. Vietnam War Marker

POW-MIA logo

By AGS Media, December 30, 2011

5. Vietnam War Marker

A3J Vigilante

By AGS Media, December 30, 2011

6. Vietnam War Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on July 16, 2012, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. This page has been viewed 483 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 16, 2012, by Glenn Sheffield of Tampa, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.