The Karl W. Richter Memorial - Montgomery, Alabama - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

Smithsonian Description: "Full-length figure of Karl Richter stands on a low square base in the center of a circular paved area. The figure wears a flight suit, parachute, and carries a helmet in his proper left hand."

Smithsonian Remarks: "The memorial was commissioned by the Lt. Karl W. Richter Foundation, formed by the City of Montgomery and the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. The funds for the $120,000 work came from the City and private donations raised by the Chamber of Commerce in addition to $5,000 contributed by Air Force cadets. When the Chamber of Commerce approached Lt. Gen. Charles G. Boyd about erecting a monument, Gen. Boyd suggested a statue of Karl W. Richter, a Vietnam fighter pilot who flew some 200 combat missions before being killed in action in 1967."

Lt. Richter was an Air Force Academy graduate who flew F-105 Thunderchief fighters in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. He became the youngest pilot to shoot down a MIG in Vietnam. He completed 100 missions over North Vietnam at a time when 43% of the F-105 pilots failed to complete that milestone. He volunteered to do another 100 missions, using his experience to train newer pilots. He was near the end of the second 100 missions and was teaching a new pilot when his aircraft was damaged and he had to eject over rocky terrain. The rescue helicopter was able to find him, but he sustained so many injuries among the sharp limestone rocks that he died on the helicopter.

As John L. Frisbee wrote in Air Force Magazine in 1992: "The statue of Karl Richter was unveiled at Maxwell AFB on June 13, 1992. An inscription from the prophet Isaiah at its base reads: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Here am I. Send me." These words epitomize Karl Richter's spirit of commitment--a spirit that underlies the Air Force tradition of valor in the service of this nation. It will inspire those who follow him, as it did his comrades who flew Downtown." source (visit link)

The Karl W. Richter Memorial is located on Academic Circle on Maxwell Air Force Base. On the pedestal are the words:

1LT KARL W. RICHTER
KIA JULY 28, 1967, NORTH VIETNAM
-OF THE WARRIOR BREED-

TITLE: The Karl W. Richter Memorial ARTIST(S): Goodacre, Glenna, 1939- , sculptor. Shidoni Foundry, founder. DATE: Commissioned 1991. 1992. Copyrighted 1992. Dedicated June 13, 1992. MEDIUM: Sculpture: bronze; Base: red granite. CONTROL NUMBER: IAS AL000354 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: Chennault Circle by Poplar Street, Maxwell AFB, AL DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: none

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