Near McKinney in Lincoln County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Crash of the B-58 "Hustler"
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 8, 2015
1. Crash of the B-58 "Hustler" Marker (Front)
At the height of the Cold War, on the night of Dec. 12, 1966, the residents of McKinney were startled by the sound of an explosion. Many locals converged on this hill to find a large fiery crater, and the wreckage of an Air Force B-58. All three crew members perished. Official cause never released to public. Over
Given by friends, family, & citizens of Lincoln Co.
Fallen officers included the pilot, Major Richard F. Blakeslee, the navigator, Major Floyd E. Acker, and the defense systems operator, Captain C. Dale Lunt. They were returning from a training mission to Bunker Hill Air Force Base, Ind. B-58 was first supersonic bomber and a vital weapons system of the Strategic Air Command. Over
Given by friends, family, & citizens of Lincoln Co.
Erected 2012 by the Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2369.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Disasters. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 12, 1836.
Location. 37° 27.044′ N, 84° 46.533′ W. Marker is near McKinney, Kentucky, in Lincoln County. Marker is on Short Pike (Kentucky
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. PFC William B. Baugh, USMC / Medal of Honor Winner (approx. 0.9 miles away); McKinney's Fort (approx. 0.9 miles away); McCormack Christian Church (approx. 5.6 miles away); Boneyville (approx. 6 miles away); Dedicated to the Memory of General Christopher Riffe (approx. 6.9 miles away); Ottenheim (approx. 7.7 miles away); The Cedars (approx. 8 miles away); Traveler's Rest (approx. 8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McKinney.
Also see . . . Explore Kentucky History story about crash. (Submitted on May 19, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Additional commentary.
1. Later renaming of Bunker Air Force Base.
Bunker Air Force Base was renamed Grissom Air Force Base in 1968 in memory of astronaut "Gus" Grissom, who perished in the Apollo 1 fire at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on January 27th, 1967. In 1994 it was again renamed to Grissom Air Reserve Base under the Base Realignment and Closure process.
— Submitted March 9, 2024, 
by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 8, 2015
2. Crash of the B-58 "Hustler" Marker (Reverse)
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 8, 2015
3. Hill in background where crash occurred.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 8, 2015
4. Marker and "tobacco" barn in background.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 8, 2015
5. View of area looking north on Short Pike.
Public Domain
6. Convair B-58 "Hustler"
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,981 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 19, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
