Fighting Stallions Memorial (Pierre, South Dakota)

 memorial, sculpture

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Fighting Stallions Memorial was constructed by the people of South Dakota as a lasting memorial to eight South Dakotans who perished in an airplane crash on April 19, 1993. The state plane, N86SD, crashed due to propeller assembly failure in poor weather on a farm near Dubuque, Iowa.

Four state employees, the Governor, and three Sioux Falls corporate leaders were on an economic development mission to save the largest agricultural processing employer in South Dakota.

"Fighting Stallions" is enlarged in bronze from the 1935 mahogany carving by South Dakota sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski. The sculpture was selected because it symbolically represents South Dakota's struggle to overcome adversity, desire for achievement and courage to believe in the future. It is a tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Fighting Stallions memorial was authorized and funded by the special session of the 68th session of the South Dakota legislature. In addition, hundreds of South Dakotans have volunteered labor, materials, and monetary contributions to the completion of this project.