Capt. Charles Ervin Shelton was shot down over Laos on his 33rd birthday, 29 April 1965. He was the pilot on a Voodoo aircraft which departed Udorn Airbase in a flight of two aircraft on a photo-reconnaissance mission. Although radio contact was made with Shelton on the ground, he could not be rescued even though over 140 missions were flown to find him. He was declared MIA, than a POW, and finally KIA in 1994. A native of the area, his family and friends worked to incorporate the memorial to Vietnam POWs and MIAs in the end of the existing city park. First completed in 1999, it was refreshed and rededicated in 2012 to all POWs and MIAs.
Installation Date:
23 Aug 1999
Organization Responsible for Installation:
Related families of Captain Charles Shelton, and the city of Owensboro
Memorial War Era(s):
- Vietnam
Memorial Condition:
Good
Website:
https://visitowensboro.com/listing/smothers-park/
Location:
99 West Veterans Boulevard, Owensboro, KY 42301