At the base of a large tree on private property.

A small blue inscribed metal plaque.

The Coyote named “Jeep” was the pet of Lieutenant John “Wild Bill” Crump of the 360th Fighter Squadron, 356^th Fighter Group and became the mascot for the unit.

Bill found a coyote pup in 1944 while in pilot training at Harding Field, Nebraska. The pup was only two weeks old and Bill named him “Jeep” after Popeye’s pet (Cartoon Character) . He took him south to Baton Rouge for P-47 training and Jeep became accustomed to flying. 

Jeep was smuggled aboard the Queen Elizabeth with Bill when he travelled to the UK, and eventually became a formal member of the 356th Fighter Group at Martlesham Heath. Jeep even had his own dog tags, log book and immunization record. He accompanied Bill on 5 missions in his P-47 Thunderbolt "Jackie".

Jeep was unfortunately run over by a base vehicle on 28 October 1944. He received a military funeral and was laid to rest in the grounds of Playford Hall, where Bill was billeted.

When Bill transferred to P-51 Mustangs, he decorated his aircraft, also nicknamed "Jackie" with a portrait of Jeep in his honor.

Visit the nearby Martlesham Heath Control Tower Museum for more on “Jeep” and the 356^th Fighter Group.