The memorial is located directly behind the Arc Light memorial aircraft display at the Air Base facing NW.
Monument The memorial consists of an AN/MSQ-77 (AN/TSQ-81) parabolic antenna poised at 45 degrees elevation. The radar is facing the Vietnam Theatre in tribute to the men who flew and operated aircraft out of Guam during the Vietnam War. The memorial features two bronze plaques mounted on granite bases; one tells the history of the B-52 in combat, while the other is dedicated to 18 servicemen of the 1st Combat Evaluation Group who died during B-52 missions over SE Asia. All plaque text is embossed and in English.
Plaque I:
The introduction of the B-52 into the Vietnam war brought an incredibly devastating weapons system within the control of ground force commanders. However, the delivery accuracy was often limited by a complete lack of cultural radar returns and suitable geographic points. To solve this problem, SAC began using ground based radar equipment operated by the 1st Combat Evaluation Group (CEG) to direct aerial bombing raids. This tactic was labeled Ground Directed Bombing (GDB) and given the code name COMBAT SKYSPOT. CEG personnel would guide the bombers along a designated route and, at the proper moment, signal the aircrew to release their weapons. COMBAT SKYSPOT not only provided flexibility in targeting, but its accuracy soon surpassed that of the B-52. In fact, these GDB sites were so formidable, the enemy conducted daring raids to eliminate them or force their relocation. During their 90 month period of service in Southeast Asia, COMBAT SKYSPOT crews directed over 300,000 USAF, Navy, Marine and RVN re-supply, reconnaissance, rescue, and tactical air missions, as well as 75 percent of all B-52 strikes.
Plaque II:
COMBAT SKYSPOT
Seventy-five percent of the B-52 combat missions flown over Southeast Asia were directed from the ground by a technique code-named COMBAT SKYSPOT. Over 3000 men of the 1st Combat Evaluation Group (CEG) manned ground radar sites in South Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos 24 hours a day from March 1966 until August 1973. This memorial is dedicated to the eighteen members of CEG who gave their lives in this effort.
WE WILL NOT FORGET
LT COL CLARENCE F. BLANTON
TSGT JAMES H. CALFEE
SSGT JAMES W. DAVIS
CMSGT RICHARD L. ETCHBERGER
SSGT HENRY G. GISH
SSGT JOHN P. GUERIN
SSGT WILLIS R. HALL
TSGT MELVIN A. HOLLAND
TSGT BRUCE E. MANSFIELD
TSGT ANTONE P. MARKS
SSGT DAVID S. PRICE
SSGT JERRY OLDS
TSGT PATRICK L. SHANNON
TSGT LOWELL V. SMITH
TSGT DONALD K. SPRINGSTEADAH
SSGT EPHRAIM VASQUEZ
SSGT DON F. WORLEY
