Trump signs Bill to name Paradise Valley mountainside “B-47 Ridge” for four Airmen killed in B-47 bomber that crashed in 1962
Trump signs Bill to name Paradise Valley mountainside “B-47 Ridge” for bomber that crashed in 1962, killing four Airmen
1950’s — An overall view of a Boeing B-47 Stratojet aircraft in flight. The world’s first swept-wing bomber. 7 April 1956 (U.S. Air Force photo)
A bill to name a ridge east of the Paradise Valley for an Air Force bomber that crashed there in 1962 was enacted after being signed by the President on October 13, 2020.
Debris remains on the ridge where the plane crashed, a ridge that Montana’s congressional delegation aims to have renamed the B-47 Ridge to honor the four-man crew that perished in the wreck, according to Great Falls Tribune, Kristen Inbody Senate.gov reports.
Those who died July 23, 1962, on the southwestern slope of Emigrant Peak during a routine training mission included Capt. Bill Faulconer, Lt. Lloyd Sawyers, Lt. David Sutton and Lt. Fred Hixenbaugh.
The plane crashed into timber and set off a five-acre forest fire, which hampered the search. Only 17 hours after it disappeared did searchers find the Dyess AFB plane. Debris was scattered over a wide swath of the mountain, the AP reported at the time.
“After almost six decades, it was an honor to get this bipartisan bill signed into law that will forever recognize the brave men who tragically died in the B-47 Bomber crash near Emigrant Peak,” Daines said. “I want to thank President Trump for signing this historic bill into law, and I look forward to visiting the B-47 Ridge in the future to remember the men we lost that day.”
“The President did right by the brave men whose lives were cut short on that tragic night years ago, by signing our bipartisan bill into law today,” said Tester. “Dedicating this ridge to the four servicemen who lost their lives while serving our country will keep them alive in the memories of Montanans for generations.”
“I’m grateful President Trump today signed our bipartisan bill into law. By naming the crash site B-47 Ridge, we are forever honoring the four fallen airmen who lost their lives 58 years ago in selfless service to our country,” Gianforte said.
On July 23, 1962, a B-47 Bomber originating from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas carrying four men on a routine training mission crashed into the southwestern slope of Emigrant Peak, killing everyone on board. Capt. Bill Faulconer, Lt. Lloyd Sawyers, Lt. David Sutton, and Lt. Fred Hixenbaugh all tragically lost their lives serving our country.
Their legislation passed out of the Senate in February and out of the House last month.
The Secretary of Agriculture may authorize the installation and maintenance of a plaque on B–47 Ridge that—(A)
memorializes the 1962 crash of the B–47 aircraft at the site; and(B)
may include the names of the victims of the crash.(2)
Authorized terms and conditions
The Secretary of Agriculture may include any terms and conditions in the authorization for a plaque under paragraph (1) that the Secretary of Agriculture determines to be necessary.