History Behind the Monument
Those who came to be known as "The Gunfighters"
For years members of the 366th Fighter Association had discussed the possibility of creating a monument to honor members of the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing who had given their last full measure of devotion, in Southeast Asia, during the conflict commonly known as The Vietnam War. But it was not until the Association's 2014 meeting that talks began in earnest. That year Association members voted to inquire as to requirements for placing a monument, in Memorial Park, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. At that time members were asked to think about possible designs and be prepared to submit their recommendations at the Association's meeting the following year.
At the 2015 meeting we found that virtually everyone wanted the Monument design to include "The Phantom" and "The Gunfighters" moniker. Museum guidelines dictate that proposals be reviewed, and approved, prior to installation of any monument. Monuments must conform to strict design standards and all depictions and inscriptions must be historically accurate. Inclusion of a logo or emblem in a monument design is permitted only if the graphic is/was registered and recorded, as official unit heraldry, with the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA). Following presentation and discussion of Museum guidelines and options available, design considerations and costs were discussed. Members voted to submit requests for proposals, along with detail of our design, to the monument companies listed on the Museum's approved vendor list. An Artist Rendering of the proposed monument, and our request for approval, were submitted to the Museum.
If asked, most of those who served during the Vietnam era would likely say they believed "The Gunfighters" moniker below the Phantom firing a 20mm cannon was the official emblem of the 366th, but they would be mistaken. Upon submission of our preferred design we learned that the AFHRA had no record of the 366th Phantom logo or the 366th ever having been known as "The Gunfighters". Unfortunately, the Phantom design was never registered as official heraldry with AFHRA and, as such, Museum guidelines stipulated that it could not be etched into the monument. Several attempts were made to obtain approval for inclusion of "The Phantom" but none were successful. In order to even secure approval for inclusion of the words "The Gunfighters", we were required to submit evidence, to AFHRA, that the 366th had indeed come to be known as "The Gunfighters" during that time period. Written and photographic evidence were subsequently provided and the words "The Gunfighters" ultimately approved for inclusion on the monument. Although "The Gunfighters" moniker received AFHRA and Museum approval for inclusion, the "Phantom firing a 20mm cannon" logo did not. The Museum approved design includes the official, AFHRA registered, emblem of the 366th which bears the Latin phrase "Audentes Fortua Juvat" (Fortune Favors The Bold).
The Artist Rendering below depicts the monument design that ultimately received AFHRA and Museum approval.
At the 2016 meeting, Association Members voted to proceed with acquisition of the monument. The Monument, designed to honor all Vietnam Era veterans of the 366th, was to be placed in Memorial Park, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Members further agreed that, rather than use monies from the Association's treasury, a fund would be established and donations solicited to finance the monument project.
When sufficient funds had been raised Dodds Monuments, of Xenia Ohio, was commissioned for manufacture and placement of the monument. A dedication ceremony was then scheduled to take place during the Association's 2017 reunion. On September 22, 2017 a formal dedication ceremony was held in Memorial Park at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The 366th Fighter Association Officers, a Representative of the Air Force Museum, an Air Force Honor Guard Unit, and more than 100 others were present for the ceremony which included donation of the Monument to, and formal acceptance of by, the museum.
At the 2015 meeting we found that virtually everyone wanted the Monument design to include "The Phantom" and "The Gunfighters" moniker. Museum guidelines dictate that proposals be reviewed, and approved, prior to installation of any monument. Monuments must conform to strict design standards and all depictions and inscriptions must be historically accurate. Inclusion of a logo or emblem in a monument design is permitted only if the graphic is/was registered and recorded, as official unit heraldry, with the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA). Following presentation and discussion of Museum guidelines and options available, design considerations and costs were discussed. Members voted to submit requests for proposals, along with detail of our design, to the monument companies listed on the Museum's approved vendor list. An Artist Rendering of the proposed monument, and our request for approval, were submitted to the Museum.
If asked, most of those who served during the Vietnam era would likely say they believed "The Gunfighters" moniker below the Phantom firing a 20mm cannon was the official emblem of the 366th, but they would be mistaken. Upon submission of our preferred design we learned that the AFHRA had no record of the 366th Phantom logo or the 366th ever having been known as "The Gunfighters". Unfortunately, the Phantom design was never registered as official heraldry with AFHRA and, as such, Museum guidelines stipulated that it could not be etched into the monument. Several attempts were made to obtain approval for inclusion of "The Phantom" but none were successful. In order to even secure approval for inclusion of the words "The Gunfighters", we were required to submit evidence, to AFHRA, that the 366th had indeed come to be known as "The Gunfighters" during that time period. Written and photographic evidence were subsequently provided and the words "The Gunfighters" ultimately approved for inclusion on the monument. Although "The Gunfighters" moniker received AFHRA and Museum approval for inclusion, the "Phantom firing a 20mm cannon" logo did not. The Museum approved design includes the official, AFHRA registered, emblem of the 366th which bears the Latin phrase "Audentes Fortua Juvat" (Fortune Favors The Bold).
The Artist Rendering below depicts the monument design that ultimately received AFHRA and Museum approval.
At the 2016 meeting, Association Members voted to proceed with acquisition of the monument. The Monument, designed to honor all Vietnam Era veterans of the 366th, was to be placed in Memorial Park, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Members further agreed that, rather than use monies from the Association's treasury, a fund would be established and donations solicited to finance the monument project.
When sufficient funds had been raised Dodds Monuments, of Xenia Ohio, was commissioned for manufacture and placement of the monument. A dedication ceremony was then scheduled to take place during the Association's 2017 reunion. On September 22, 2017 a formal dedication ceremony was held in Memorial Park at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The 366th Fighter Association Officers, a Representative of the Air Force Museum, an Air Force Honor Guard Unit, and more than 100 others were present for the ceremony which included donation of the Monument to, and formal acceptance of by, the museum.