Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Republic F-105D Thunderchief

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, February 10, 2008

1. Republic F-105D Thunderchief Marker

Inscription.
This aircraft, of a type used extensively in Southeast Asia air operations, is dedicated to all the courageous airmen who gave their lives in honor during that conflict.

Erected by United States Air Force.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Heroes • War, Vietnam.

Location. 38° 50.708′ N, 77° 0.699′ W. Marker is in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB). Marker is at the intersection of MacDill Boulevard Southeast and Brookley Avenue Southwest, in the median on MacDill Boulevard Southeast. Marker is two blocks west of the Arnold Gate (the main entrance to Bolling AFB) and is directly accessible from the intersection of South Capitol Street and Malcolm X Ave. in Washington, DC, southwest. However, visitors without military identification are currently required to proceed south on South Capitol Street and to enter via the south entrance. After obtaining a visitor's pass, proceed north on Brookley Ave. to McDill. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: MacDill Boulevard Southeast, Washington DC 20032, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In Memory of Col. Raynal C. Bolling (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Carroll (approx.

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0.6 miles away); Bolling Air Force Base (approx. 0.6 miles away); Congress Heights School (approx. ¾ mile away); St. Elizabeths Hospital Civil War Cemetery (approx. 0.8 miles away); "The Gun" (approx. 0.8 miles away); History of St. Elizabeths Hospital (approx. one mile away); Redevelopment of St. Elizabeths (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southwest Washington.

Regarding Republic F-105D Thunderchief. With a nickname of "Thud" one might consider this aircraft lackluster, but it was actually among the most advance types used in the Vietnam War.

Also see . . . Republic F-105 Thunderchief. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 13, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. F 105 actual installed to its current display area
In 1976 SSgt Virgin A1C Spencer and dug the footer for the now current Republic F-105D Thunderchief #61-0138 in Bolling AFB (DC). If you were to dig to the footer foundation,

Thunderchief image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, February 8, 2008

2. Thunderchief

you will find our names written in the concrete along with the date it was poured. SSgt Virgin and I, using a crane, placed the aircraft on the steel beam you currently see. This was to say we both actually placed it on its pedestal.

I mention this because it is our legacy to the Air Force. Robert Virgin retired in 1978 and a few short years after he lost his battle with cancer. I have been to the site a couple of times and very glad to see her in very good maintenance shape. A little note, the aircraft was brought through the fence near the AF Honor Guard off Route 295. I ruined a good uniform on the fence that night when we brought her in.

Thank you for watching over her.
Art Spencer, USAF, retired. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted May 14, 2012, by Art Spencer of Rome, New York.

Additional keywords. Air Force Cross; 512th Equipment Maintenance Squadron (AFRES).

Dedication Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, February 8, 2008

3. Dedication Plaque

This F-105D is dedicated with honor and respect to those combat pilots whose courage and bravery under fire during the Southeast Asia conflict resulted in the award of the Air Force Cross - the nation's second highest award for valor.

Maj Richard K. Atlee
Maj Robert S. Beale
Capt Charles G. Boyd
Maj Aquilla F. Britt
Col Jacksel M. Broughton
Lt Col Earl G. Cobeil
Lt Col Eugene O. Conley
Col William C. Cooper
Maj Dean E. Detar
Capt Nicholas J. Donelson
Capt John A. Dramesi
Capt Jeffrey T. Ellis
Col John P. Flynn
Col Lawrence L. Guarino
Maj Gerald C. Gustafson
Maj John S. Hamilton
Capt Hal P. Henning
Lt Col James R. Hopkins
Capt Harold E. Johnson
Maj James H. Kasler
Col Melvin J. Killian
Lt Col Thomas A. Kirk
Maj Paul F. Koeltzow
Capt Darel D. Leetun
Lt Col James E. McInerney
Capt Monte L. Mooreberg
Lt Col William C. Norris
Maj Dean A. Pogreba
1st Lt Karl W. Richter
Lt Col Robinson Risner
Maj William P. Robinson
Maj John M. Rowan; Capt James E. Sehorn
Lt Col Harry W. Schurr
Capt Fred Shannon
Lt Col Robert W. Smith
Capt Rowland F. Smith, Jr.
Maj Bruce D. Stocks
Maj Wayne N. Watley
Capt Norman L. Wells
Col Robert M. White.

Restoration Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, February 8, 2008

4. Restoration Plaque

Restoration of this aircraft was performed with
tender loving care by
members of the
512th Equipment Maintenance Squadron (AFRES),
Dover Air Force Base, Delaware,
from October 1992 to August 1993.
A special thanks to the
devotion and professionalism of:
CMSGT Briana W. Wasko, Sr.
SMSGT Kenneth Yarborough
MSGT Thomas M. Corbeil
MSGT Carlton Rinehart
MSGT Victor Gonzales
MSGT David M. Schmid
TSGT John D. Manganello
SSGT James C. Fry
SSGT Matthew K. Sirkis
SSGT George J. George J. Lee.
(1100 CES, Bolling AFB, D.C.)

"Avenue of the Fifty-Six Flags" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, February 8, 2008

5. "Avenue of the Fifty-Six Flags"

Honoring the contributions to our defense by the men and women of the fifty United States, the U.S. Territories and the District of Columbia. (McDill Blvd. adjacent to the "Thunderchief.")

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,627 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on March 24, 2013, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 22, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.