Tuskegee Airmen

[Old Rocks]

I attended a dinner honoring two Tuskegee Airman last night, Bill Holloman and Alexander Jefferson. I was priveleged to sit next to a Marine that had participated in the Okinowa Campaign. Listening to the pilots talk, and talking to the Marine, reminded me how fast these very special men and women are going. My father, and five uncles participated in WW2 in uniform. Three of them in very hot combat. Now, only one is left.

A great generation that gave us all that we now have. And so soon they will be gone. Every oppertunity to say thank you, and demonstrate our appreciation to them should be taken now, for they have all to few tommorrows.

 

[waltky]

Originator of Tuskegee Airmen passes...

One of Last Original Tuskegee Airmen Instructors Dies at 96
Nov 18, 2015 -- Milton Pitts Crenchaw, a flight instructor who trained the Tuskegee Airmen -- the first African-Americans to fly combat airplanes in World War II -- has died in Georgia. He was 96.

Crenchaw died Tuesday at Piedmont Henry Hospital near Atlanta after battling cardiovascular disease and pneumonia, said his daughter, Dolores Singleton. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Crenchaw was among the last surviving instructors of the Tuskegee Airmen, Singleton said. He was among the original flight instructors in the program that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt wanted to train black pilots for war, she added. "He began that whole flying experiment -- I really think that's what it was because they didn't think it was going to work," Singleton said Wednesday. "For a black man to be able to fly, that's just like an astronaut now," she said.

The training at Tuskegee was the U.S. War Department's answer to a shortage of pilots, along with mechanics and other ground support personnel needed to maintain aircraft for battle, according to historical accounts from Tuskegee University and Tuskegee Airmen Inc., a national group that supports the airmen. In an era when black military personnel were fighting segregation and being arrested at installations like Freeman Army Airfield in Indiana, the Tuskegee Airmen were integrating the U.S. war effort at the front lines.

Milton Crenchaw, who was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen speaks with Thessia Dunn before a lecture series at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies in Little Rock, Ark.​

"At the same time that black officers were incarcerated for resisting segregation at Freeman Field, for example, other black officers were earning Distinguished Flying Crosses and aerial victory credits by shooting down enemy airplanes in combat over Europe, while still other black cadets were learning to fly military airplanes," Daniel Haulman of the Air Force Historical Research Agency wrote in a 2015 chronology of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Crenchaw, who became a pilot while studying at the Tuskegee Institute in eastern Alabama, trained hundreds of pilots there in the 1940s, according to a biography by the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies. "Crenchaw became a primary civilian flight instructor and eventually one of the two original supervising squadron commanders under Chief Pilot Charles A. Anderson," the biography states. "He and Charles Foxx were the first instructors for the first group of student pilot trainees between 1941 and 1946." Later, Crenchaw helped establish an aviation program at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, according to the center's biography.

MORE

 

[whitehall]

For God's sakes can't we get a grip on the incredible courage of the Army Air Corps during WW2 without drooling over the handful of Black pilots?

 

[Sunni Man]

By the time the Tuskegee negro airmen started flying over europe it was very late in the war.

And the once feared german Luftwaffe was basically a defeated foe and could only put up a nominal resistance using young inexperienced pilots. .......

 

[bodecea]

For God's sakes can't we get a grip on the incredible courage of the Army Air Corps during WW2 without drooling over the handful of Black pilots?

You are known by who thanks you.

 

[whitehall]

Tuskegee Black pilots and Airmen did their duty and they should be justifiably proud of their service but enduring discrimination has apparently become more important in the eyes of (mostly) liberals than the incredible sacrifices that the U.S. Army Air Corps endured in combat.

 

[waltky]

Story of little known Dominican Tuskegee airman comes to light...

Once Unknown, Story of World War II Latino Tuskegee Airman Uncovered
Nov 24, 2015 | Among the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, America's first African-American military air squadron which heroically fought in World War II, was a little known about Hispanic pilot named Esteban Hotesse.

Born in Moca, Dominican Republic, but a New Yorker since he was 4 years old, Hotesse served with the Tuskegee Airmen for more than three years before he died during a military exercise on July 8th, 1945. He was just 26. As a black Dominican, Hotesse was a part of a squadron credited for single-handedly tearing down the military's segregation policies, while helping to change America's perception of African-Americans during the Jim Crow era. He is believed to be the first Dominican soldier to serve on the well-known squadron. His historic role was recently discovered by a group of New York academics. Enlisted on Feb. 21, 1942, Hotesse was part of the 619 squadron of the 447 bombardment group known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Though his squadron never flew in combat, he took part in the battle for civil rights at home.

Hotesee took part in what is known as the Freeman Field Mutiny. In 1945, Hotesse and the rest of the Tuskegee airmen attempted to integrate an all-white officers club at the airfield base in Seymour, Indiana. Under military regulations, any military officer clubs were open to any officer regardless of race, but Freeman Field segregated black from white officers. More than 100 black officers of the Tuskegee group were arrested when they defied orders and sat in the white club anyway. It wasn't until 1995 that the record of their reprimands was expunged. Not only were they pioneers, in U.S. aviation, as black members of the U.S. armed forces -- they were pioneers in the Civil Rights movement.

Hotesse's contributions as an American pioneer -- underscoring the importance of Hispanic servicemen and women during our nation's greatest war -- would have gone unnoticed had it not been for 29-year-old Edward De Jesus. An academic working part-time as a researcher at the Dominican Studies Institute at CUNY, De Jesus, like Hotesse, was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States at the age of 4. "I had never heard or read about Dominicans in World War II," De Jesus, 29, said. "It's significant for me because growing up looking at American history documentaries it was always hard to identify because you never see someone like you in these documentaries."

De Jesus uncovered Hotesse's story while helping a team of researchers working on a three year project about the role of Dominicans in the war effort. He dug through and found his census records, naturalization form and marriage certificate, and eventually came in contact with Hotesse's relatives. Hotesse was survived by his Puerto Rican wife Iristella Lind Hotesse, with who he had two daughters: Mary Lou and Rosalie Hotesse. One of his granddaughters, Iris Rivera, donated a collection of photos and articles to the Dominican Institute. "The family was waiting for this moment, for him to be recognized," De Jesus said. Hotesse's story is among 10 on display at an exhibit at the Dominican Institute honoring Dominican veterans and their contributions during World War II.

Once Unknown, Story of World War II Latino Tuskegee Airman Uncovered | Military.com

 

[Syriusly]

For God's sakes can't we get a grip on the incredible courage of the Army Air Corps during WW2 without drooling over the handful of Black pilots?

LOL....there are some people who are still offended that black pilots flew in WW2.

 

[whitehall]

Lefties celebrate the legacy of a Latino Airman who never flew a combat mission simply because he "was part of a squadron credited with single handedly tearing down the military's segregation policies." I rest my case.

 

[Syriusly]

Tuskegee Black pilots and Airmen did their duty and they should be justifiably proud of their service but enduring discrimination has apparently become more important in the eyes of (mostly) liberals than the incredible sacrifices that the U.S. Army Air Corps endured in combat.

And you come to that conclusion because Tuskegee Airmen have been recognized.....and were part of the U.S. Army Air Corps that endured sacrifice?

Frankly the Tuskegee Airmen is a very compelling story- both of the sacrifices by the U.S. Army Air Corps and how racial discrimination was a real part of the war effort. It is an important part of our history- why do feel compelled to come into a thread about them- and complain?

Would you be as upset about a thread about the Flying Tigers? A thread about the pilots who flew the B-25's off of the Hornet? A thread devoted to the pilots and crews of B-17's and B-25's?

What is it about Conservatives that they have a knee jerk reaction to object to a thread about American veterans- if they happen to have been black?

 

[Syriusly]

Lefties celebrate the legacy of a Latino Airman who never flew a combat mission simply because he "was part of a squadron credited with single handedly tearing down the military's segregation policies." I rest my case.

Conservatives jump into a thread about African American veterans of WW2- just to complain that there is a thread about African Americans veterans in WW2.

 

[waltky]

One thing to keep in mind is while they were serving and sacrificing their lives for their country...

... they were refused service in hotels and restaurants...

... an' to go to the back of the bus, even in uniform...

... and not to drink from 'white' water fountains.

 

[Syriusly]

One thing to keep in mind is while they were serving and sacrificing their lives for their country...

... they were refused service in hotels and restaurants...

... an' to go to the back of the bus, even in uniform...

... and not to drink from 'white' water fountains.

Even better- German prisoners of war- working on farms in the South- were allowed to use "Whites only' facilities- but African American servicemen were not.

WW2 probably was a catalyst for the Civil Rights movement- as African American servicemen- who were treated the same as whites by Brits and French- came back to face the same discrimination as they left.

Like I said- the story of the Tuskegee Airmen is fascinating to anyone who is interested in WW2 and the broader ramifications on society.

 

[whitehall]

Tuskegee Black pilots and Airmen did their duty and they should be justifiably proud of their service but enduring discrimination has apparently become more important in the eyes of (mostly) liberals than the incredible sacrifices that the U.S. Army Air Corps endured in combat.

And you come to that conclusion because Tuskegee Airmen have been recognized.....and were part of the U.S. Army Air Corps that endured sacrifice?

Frankly the Tuskegee Airmen is a very compelling story- both of the sacrifices by the U.S. Army Air Corps and how racial discrimination was a real part of the war effort. It is an important part of our history- why do feel compelled to come into a thread about them- and complain?

Would you be as upset about a thread about the Flying Tigers? A thread about the pilots who flew the B-25's off of the Hornet? A thread devoted to the pilots and crews of B-17's and B-25's?

What is it about Conservatives that they have a knee jerk reaction to object to a thread about American veterans- if they happen to have been black?

Most Veterans understand the difference between casualties and heroism related to combat as opposed to the personal insults in the struggle for integration. It's insulting to the undisputed legacy of the incredible heroism of the U.S. Air Corps in WW2 to compare it to the discomfort endured by of a couple of Black guys and a Latino or two to get into flight school.

 

[whitehall]

The legacy of the "Tuskegee Airman" might belong in the "religion and ethics" forum or maybe the "history" forum but the legacy of the " Tuskegee Airman" has little military foundation. The 66 brave Tuskagee Airman who were killed in WW2 doesn't come close to a single mission of the Army Air Corps during the dark days of bombing missions. Tuskegee Airmen simply were not a factor in the freaking war.They were a factor in the social integration of the Military and lefties who never served and usually have nothing but distain for the Military drool over the limited service of the Tuskegee folks.

 

[waltky]

Do a little research on the Redtails...

... a Tuskegee squadron...

... and their contribution to ending the war...

... especially note that they never lost a bomber...

... they flew escort for, even though suffering loses themselves.

 

[waltky]

Original Tuskegee Airman passes on to the wild blue yonder...

Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr., an original Tuskegee Airman, dies at 94
3 July,`16 - Another original member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen has died, according to a short statement released by his family Monday.

Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr., a Washington, D.C. native, died on Saturday at age 94. The notice shared on his Public Figure Facebook page reads: "Our beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away on July 2, 2016. We thank you all for your love and support during this time."

The NBC affiliate in New York City wrote Monday that Brown had fallen critically ill over the winter and had a pacemaker installed. He was trying to get back into exercising when he was interviewed in May. Not one for idleness, Brown completed the NYC Marathon nine times! Capt. Brown commanded the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group, known as the Tuskegee Airmen, during World War II. He flew 68 long-range missions from August of 1944 to March of 1945. He's credited with being the first 15th Air Force pilot to shoot down a German jet fighter, a feat that happened on March 24, 1945 while escorting bombers near Berlin. It was the longest escort mission to take place in the war.

Brown's airplane, a P-51 Mustang named "Bunnie" was named for his eldest daughter, Doris, born while he was fighting overseas. The Airman earned multiple awards for his actions in WWII including: The Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters. In 2000 he was among those in attendance when President George W. Bush presented the Airmen the Congressional Gold Medal. And in 2006 he, and the Airmen, were presented the Congressional Medal of Honor by unanimous vote of Congress.

Brown served as a Production Advisor in 2012 for the production of the stage play "Fly" and sat down for an interview with Ford's Theatre. "The reason the Tuskegee Airmen are really being recognized now is that we challenged the stereotype," Brown said during the interview. "We defeated a stereotype that African-Americans didn't have the intelligence, the ability to do this. And we did it, we did it as well, may times better than other folks..." After leaving the Air Force, Dr. Brown went on to a long career in education. He was the Director of the Center for Urban Education Policy and University Professor at the Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York (CUNY). He was also the past President of Bronx Community College of CUNY, and was formerly Director of the Institute of Afro-American Affairs at New York University.

Brown also sat on numerous boards, among them national boards of Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the American Council on Education, the New York Botanical Garden, the Museum of the City of New York, the Phipps Community Development Corporation, the City Parks Foundation, Libraries for the Future, and the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute. He was also Vice Chairman of the Arthur Ashe Athletic Association and of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, and chaired the National Scholarship Selection Committee of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. Brown is survived by four children, as well as multiple grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr., an original Tuskegee Airman, dies at 94

 

[Daryl Hunt]

Geez. I read this whole thing in utter estonishment. Here, we have, some great Americans that Served the United States, died, blead and more. THE TA contributed to a very long ranged, dangerous part of the war that was flown by more than the TA. But each part meant that less and less fuel was made available for the Germans to wage war with. The second that mission began, all phylosophical reasons stopped being a factor.

 

[ThunderKiss1965]

I attended a dinner honoring two Tuskegee Airman last night, Bill Holloman and Alexander Jefferson. I was priveleged to sit next to a Marine that had participated in the Okinowa Campaign. Listening to the pilots talk, and talking to the Marine, reminded me how fast these very special men and women are going. My father, and five uncles participated in WW2 in uniform. Three of them in very hot combat. Now, only one is left.

A great generation that gave us all that we now have. And so soon they will be gone. Every oppertunity to say thank you, and demonstrate our appreciation to them should be taken now, for they have all to few tommorrows.

Sad truth is eventually we won't get the stories straight from the people who lived them. Both of my Grandfathers served in WWII. . I'm from a family with a long military history and talking about combat experiences was always a taboo subject. Now that they are gone I wish I had asked more questions.

 

[ThunderKiss1965]

Lefties celebrate the legacy of a Latino Airman who never flew a combat mission simply because he "was part of a squadron credited with single handedly tearing down the military's segregation policies." I rest my case.

Conservatives jump into a thread about African American veterans of WW2- just to complain that there is a thread about African Americans veterans in WW2.

Real Conservative celebrate all those who honorably served.