U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senators Steve Daines, Jon Tester and Congressman Gianforte today celebrated President Trump signing their bipartisan bill into law that will name a ridge near Emigrant Peak the “B-47 Ridge” in honor of four servicemen who tragically died in a B-47 Bomber crash.
“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.
Statements of Support:
“Thank you Senator Daines for taking the lead on the B-47 Ridge Designation Act. Thank you Senator Tester and Representative Gianforte for Cosponsoring. This is a wonderful piece of legislation for the five young children that lost their fathers in this tragic event fifty eight years ago for the widows, siblings, grandchildren and all other family members that paid a huge price for us all. So proud that Montana and Park County care about our veterans and their families.” – Bryan Wells
“Thank you Congressman Gianforte, and Senators Daines and Tester for your bipartisan leadership in making this federal designation a reality. I am proud that I was able to play a small part in the memorialization of these four American heroes, and forever grateful for the B-47 Ridge designation.” – Keith Joiner, Past Commander, VFW Post 5159 Hot Springs, Montana
“I would like to express my support and sincere gratitude for the B-47 Ridge Designation Act. Our brave service men and women are often easily forgotten, but this act will forever memorialize the brave soldiers that lost their life serving this great nation.” – Brad W. Bichler, Sheriff, Park County
“The Board of Commissioners believe that the Act provides a fitting memorial to those Air Force service men who lost their lives in 1962 during a training mission above Emigrant Peak in Park County. This memorial will be a source of comfort to surviving family members, and a source of community pride in honoring the dedication of those who were lost while serving their country.” – Park County Commissioners
Background:
On September 21st, 2020, Daines, Tester and Gianforte celebrated House passage of their bipartisan bill renaming the B-47 Ridge in honor of four fallen servicemen.
In June, Gianforte and Bryan Wells, chairman of the B-47 Memorial Committee and a resident of Emigrant, testified before a House Natural Resources subcommittee in support of the bill. The full committee reported the bill on September 14.
On February 13th, 2020, Daines, Tester and Gianforte celebrated Senate passage of their bipartisan bill renaming the B-47 Ridge in honor of four fallen servicemen.
On December 12th, 2019, Daines voted to advance his bipartisan bill to name the B-47 Ridge in honor of the four servicemen who lost their lives in an Air Force B-47 Bomber crash in Montana out of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
On May 14th, 2019, Daines urged lawmakers for swift passage of the B-47 Ridge Designation Act in a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing.
On February 2nd, 2019, Daines, Tester and Gianforte reintroduced the B-47 Ridge Designation Act.
On June 8th, 2018, Daines, Tester and Gianforte first introduced the B–47 Ridge Designation Act.