Del Rio Dedicates Texas Historical Marker to Cuban Missile Crisis Heroes

May 24, 2008
By Stacy S. Jensen
Special to LIVE!

The 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing was celebrated May 23, 2008 at Star Park. The unit formerly stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base was praised for its work throughout its history, but especially for its work during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

People who flew, worked and supported the U-2 planes were all recognized at the ceremony, which unveiled a Texas Historical Marker commemorating their work. The 11 pilots who flew the missions to Cuba from Oct. 14 to 27, 1962 are named on the marker.

Four of the remaining pilots were present at the ceremony. Attending were USAF retired Col. Edwin G. Emerling, retired Brigadier General Gerald E. McIlmoyle, Buddy L. Brown and Charles W. Kern.

The other pilots listed on the marker include: Rudolf Anderson Jr., Richard S. Heyser and James Qualls, George M. Bull, Roger H. Herman, Robert L. Primrose and Daniel W. Schmarr.

Val Verde County Historical Commission Chairwoman Christina Tevington noted the marker also makes history, because it lists men who are still living. The Texas Historical Commission has a rule that people be deceased for at least 10 years before being named on a marker.

"This marker honors a specific time," Tevington said, "but I would like to pay tribute to the 4080th in its entirety. … All deserve our recognition today."

William McWhorter, a military historian with the Texas Historical Commission, said the agency has the task of identifying historical places around the state.

The Val Verde County Historical Commission worked to get the marker to honor the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. McWhorter said the Texas Historical Commission was privileged to be part of the marker honoring the 4080th SRW.

A large crowd gathered at Star Park on May 23, 2008 for the "Operation Brass Knob" historical marker dedication. The 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing was stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base during the spy plane flights over Cuba during the Missile Crisis. (click image to enlarge)	Four of the remaining U-2 pilots who flew during the Cuban Missile Crisis were present during the Texas Historical Commission Marker dedication ceremony on May 23, 2008. The event coincided with the final 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing reunion. (click image to enlarge)
Air Force JROTC TX-66 Color Guard from Del Rio High School posted the colors prior to the "Operation Brass Knob" marker dedication ceremony on May 23, 2008 at Star Park in Del Rio. (click image to enlarge)	Those attending the "Operation Brass Knob" marker dedication show their respect during the singing of the national anthem by Cadet 1st Lt. Brittany Lugo from Air Force JROTC TX-66. (click image to enlarge)

 

"We hope people will stop to read this historical marker," he said.

If people can't see it in person, he said the text is available online. The Texas Historical Commission Web site is www.thc.state.tx.us.

The "Operation Brass Knob" marker outlines how Laughlin Air Force Base pilots flew secret surveillance missions during the height of the Cold War. "Operation Brass Knob" was the codename for the effort to photograph 95 percent of Cuba's territory following the discovery of launch sites. "Based on intelligence reports, President John Kennedy ordered military flights over Cuba to investigate a suspected buildup of soviet-supplied missiles with nuclear warheads close to American soil."

McWhorter said photographs obtained during "Operation Brass Knob" showed Cuba would have capabilities by December to reach the United States.

Based on information gathered from U-2 crews, Kennedy announced a naval quarantine of Cuba on Oct. 22. Tensions heightened on Oct. 27 when Major Rudolf Anderson Jr. was shot down when a surface to air missile shot down his U-2, according to the marker. He was the only combat casualty, but all 11 U-2 pilots experienced enemy fire. The planes were not equipped for combat. They were armed only with cameras.

"When Kennedy presented the 4080th [SRW] with an outstanding unit award, he noted 'The work of these units has contributed as much to the security of the United States as any unit in our history, and any group of men in our history,'" McWhorter said.

"While the Cuban Missile Crisis was not a war like the others, the outcome had just as much potential of impacting the world," McWhorter said.

Following the reading of the marker's text, two T-38 Talon jets from Laughlin Air Force flew over the dedication ceremony.

Val Verde County Sheriff A. D'Wayne Jernigan speaks with USAF retired Brigadier General Gerald E. McIlmoyle following the dedication of a Texas Historical Marker in honor of "Operation Brass Knob." U-2 pilots signed souvenirs following the dedication ceremony at Star Park on May 23, 2008. (click image to enlarge)

Four of the remaining 11 U-2 pilots who flew missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis attended the dedication ceremony on May 23, 2008 for the "Operation Brass Knob" Texas Historical Marker. Shown are USAF retired Brigadier General Gerald E. McIlmoyle, retired Col. Edwin G.Emerling, Buddy Brown and Charles Kern. Several hundred gathered for the marker dedication at Star Park in Del Rio. (click image to enlarge)

USAF retired Col. Edwin G. Emerling and Kenneth Van Zandt sign souvenirs following the dedication of a Texas Historical Marker commemorating the work of the 4080th SRW's U-2 pilots during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The marker was unveiled May 23, 2008 at Star Park in Del Rio. (click image to enlarge)

KWMC radio personality Javier Martinez interviews Del Rio Mayor Efrain Valdez about the historical marker dedication to the 4080th SRW in Star Park on May 23, 2008. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde) (click image to enlarge)

 

McIlmoyle accepted the marker on behalf of the 4080th SRW – all of its men, women, wives and children and even rabbits. "We had a lovely time here and enjoyed living in Del Rio," he said.

"We love coming here," he said, but noted "We seem to be taking our last flight quite often" as the 4080th SRW's reunion committee has dwindled from 13 to three.

Ginette Magaña, field representative for Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez, said the congressman made comments into the Congressional Record about the 4080th.

"While President Kennedy's decision making during the Cuban Missile crisis is properly designated as lore, the eleven U-2 pilots have spent the past 45 years in relatively humble obscurity. Because of the sensitivity of their mission, most of these men were denied the public praise and recognition warranted by their mission," Rodriguez said in his Congressional Record statement.

Christina Tevington, chairwoman of the Val Verde County Historical Commission. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde) (click image to enlarge)	Ed Emerling unveils the historical marker while Jerry McIlmoyle helps. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde) (click image to enlarge)
Ed Emerling unveils the historical marker while Jerry McIlmoyle helps. Val Verde County reserve deputy sheriff Jim Butterworth looks on. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde) (click image to enlarge)	General Mcilmoyle jokes about the introduction of the current Laughlin AFB wing commander as being "sweet." "Things have changed in our Air Force since I left," he said. "We never referred to our wing commanders as 'sweet' back in the day," he joked. (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde) (click image to enlarge)
Col. Buddy Brown signing autographs (LIVE! Photo/Joe Hyde) (click image to enlarge)

All photos by Stacy Stenberg, except as marked