Greenville Daily Photo - living downtown » Dedicated to Major Rudolf Anderson Jr.

March 7, 2008 - Dedicated to Major Rudolf Anderson Jr.

Yesterday, over lunch, I went for a walk in Cleveland Park and took this photo of a monument dedicated to Major Rudolf Anderson Jr. I understand he was a Greenville native and that he was shot down over Cuba during The Cuban Missile Crisis. A Wikipedia article gives additional detail. The plaque on the monument in part says:

“In a period of great international stress he performed his duty of great responsibility with honor. He … gave his life that America could proceed on a course toward peace …”

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Kate said,

March 7, 2008 @ 12:47 am

An appropriate and fitting memorial for this man. It’s a bit different than most, isn’t it?

Galley said,

March 7, 2008 @ 1:41 am

I suggest you check out the film “Thirteen Days”; scary stuff!

Kim said,

March 7, 2008 @ 3:22 am

The jet looks animated. How fun to see it mounted this way.
-Kim
Seattle Daily Photo

Tigerlily said,

March 7, 2008 @ 8:05 am

Yes, He was a Greenville Native and the ONLY casualty of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The plane in the memorial is an exact replica of the one he was shot down in. Its a great memorial and was the fodder for our imaginations growing up. Great picture! Thanks for showing a bit of Greenville people do not always see.

Pipermom said,

March 7, 2008 @ 9:21 am

I loved seeing this when I was growing up. It was one of my favorite Greenville Landmarks! Thanks for the memories!

Southern Heart said,

March 7, 2008 @ 10:39 pm

My son enjoyed seeing this post with me today!

Jason greer said,

March 8, 2008 @ 3:52 pm

Tigerlily, that is not the exact replica of the plane he was shot down in. That is a Sabre jet, similar to the one Maj. Anderson flew during the Korean War.

Maj. Anderson was shot down in a U2 spy plane. The Sabre jet is a fighter, used to take on other fighters, like Soviet made MIG’s. The U2 spy plane, besides being too large to fit into a space like it is in in Cleveland Park, is still classified and still used to this day for reconnaissance missions over hostile territory.

Maj. Anderson is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery and also memorialized at his alma mater, Clemson.

Lucy said,

July 27, 2008 @ 3:33 pm

I remember the day that the plane was unveiled. As a young child, I loved riding by it and remembering a hero from my hometown that was killed for our freedom. Kennedy didn’t take any bull from Castro and the Soviets, he showed them the muscle of the US.

SH2 WAYNE ROPER PO2 USN said,

October 13, 2008 @ 4:10 pm

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THESE PHOTOS. MAJOR ANDERSON IS TRUELY A GREAT HERO TO ALL AMERICANS AND AS A FELLOW GREENVILLIAN MY SELF I WAS ALWAYS PROUD TO VISIT THIS MONUMENT AS A CHILD AND NOW AS AN ADULT.BEING IN THE MILITARY AND STATIONED OVER SEAS I DONTGET THE CHANCE TO PAY MY RESPECTS TO THIS GREAT AMERICAN LLIKE I USED TO BUT NOW I HAVE THIS PHOTO SAVED ON MY COMPUTER TO REMEMBER AND TO OFFER PRAYERS TO HIS MEMORY AND FOR HIS FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS.
WAYNE R ROPER
PETTY OFFICER SECOND CLASS UNITED STATES NAVY

Deliz said,

October 22, 2008 @ 6:48 am

Thanks for writing this.

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