March 2012 Newsletter - Tuskegee Airmen San Diego

Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
Editor: Oscar D. Teel
President: Paulette Mello
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greeting chapter members.
Hard to believe
that 2012 is already in full
swing. Also hard
to believe that I
was nominated
as president of
this chapter! I
have big shoes to
fill following the
leadership of
George Watson
who has done
great things for
our chapter. I am
most appreciative
President Paulette Mello
of the encouragement and support that I have received from you
and believe me; I will continue to need it!
On a side note, I want to personally thank you
all for your thoughts and prayers as I recently lost
my father, Major Wolf, this past February. It was
tumultuous at times with him being sick as well as
my daughter Cheyenne, so I ended up temporarily withdrawing from Embry Riddle Aeronautical
University. As my dad used to say, it’s time to get
back on the saddle.
General
Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.
Chapter
San Diego
San Diego, CA.
March 2012
The past few months have been amazing and
jammed packed with TAISD activities! From the
release of the “Red Tails” movie in January, to
the numerous speaking engagements in February for Black History month, we have been a little
busy! It was especially great seeing our own DOTAs (George Mitchell, Nelson Robison, Alfonso
Harris, and Claude Rowe) at the Red Tails movie
premiere. I want to extend a big “Thank You” and
kudos to all who were able to volunteer to speak
and/or to represent the chapter at various events.
My vision for this year involves continuing to
educate the public about the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, as well as encourage and provide
mentorship to youth via outreach opportunities.
We have business to do, things to plan; but we
also want our volunteer experience in this chapter
to be enjoyable and rewarding. Let’s make the
rest of 2012 an awesome year!
DOTAs IN OUR CHAPTER
Nelson Robinson
George Mitchell
Rest in Peace Dad
Major A. Wolf
July 24, 1921 February 9, 2012
Alfonso Harris
Claude Rowe
Page 2
By Request
OLDEST SURVIVING
TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
Mr. Brew O. Graham of Riverdale,
Georgia was born
on February 20,
1915., in Greenwood, Mississippi.
He served overseas during WW II
as an airplane mechanic with the
99th Fighter
Mr. Brew O. Graham
Squadron and later
with the 332nd Fighter Group. Mr. Graham’s
Separation Qualification Records lists him as an
Airplane Mechanic and inspector at an advanced
base close to the front lines. He examined the
planes and made a detailed report as to the
amount of damage or worn parts. He was qualified to run the engines and assign mechanics to
repair damage. He then supervised and inspected the work and tested the planes including
taxiing it around the field before it was cleared for
flying.
In the above photo, taken by Stan Coleman,
Mr. Graham displays a memento from his WW II
days ..an original PILOT’S CHECK-OFF LIST
(Engine Instructions) for the P-40L airplane, just
one of the many aircraft he serviced.
HISTORY OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
PRESENTED AT CAREFUSION.
On February 7th,
Paulette Mello accompanied Claude
Rowe to CareFusion, a global medical technology corporation, in Del Mar
for a presentation
in honor of Black
History month. Also
in attendance were
Dorothy and Winnie Rowe. CareFusion employee
Karen Heldrich
made the request
via chapter member Arlys Erickson and the end product resulted
in a $1500 contribution to the chapter’s scholarship fund!
Chapter President Paulette Mello
Definitely a
and Capt. Claude Rowe
wonderful
surprise that
we are grateful for. Paulette presented a 20 minute presentation about the Tuskegee Airmen and
about Mr. Rowe’s career to an audience of about
100 staff and guests. Mr. Rowe proceeded to do
a Q&A session to an excited audience who offered their admiration and gratitude to Mr. Rowe
and the Tuskegee Airmen.
(Thanks to Zellie Rainey Orr for the above article.)
(Note: Ms. Orr is President of the TAI Atlanta Chapter, Former TAI National Historian and Consultant to Lucasfilms)
Red Tails Companion piece) Documentary—Double Victory.)
Many thanks for
the leadership of
our Immediate
Past President.
Ms. Zellie Rainey Orr
GEORGE WATSON
By Request
Page 3
CHAPTER MEMBERS ATTEND
BLACK HISTORY EVENT
THANKS FOR THE CONCERN
By Ted Leimbach
Submitted by,
Bill McNeil
At the January
18th screening of the
RED TAILS movie, I
On leap day Mary
became ill at the end
and I attended a
of the movie. I tried
Black History event
to get to the restat Northrop Grumroom but could even
man Corporation loget three or four
cated in Rancho
rows up the
Bernardo, CA.
aisle. My lights were
The feature
going out. Paramedspeaker was Mr. Bufics were called and I
ford Johnson. Mr.
was on my way to
Johnson spoke
the hospital. Long
about his experistory short, I was ok
ences as an Aircraft
Ted Leimbach
in a few days. It
Mechanic in the segseems that the fancy
regated Army Air
Bill McNeil
nut mixture that had been setting in my refreshCorp during World
ment fridge had expired two or three years
War II.
ago. They had caused the gastridious attach that
The audience consisted mainly of AfricanAmerican Aerospace Engineers; it was appropri- over took me. I am doing great now.
ately a total of 125 in attendances. Mr. Johnson
I was very amazed at the actions of my fellow
spoke and entertained questions for about an
members of the Tuskegee Airmen who had just
hour, not bad for an 84 year old. The local ABC
witnessed the show. I could not see what was
news channel 10 covered the event recorded it
going on but all at once I had a cool wet cloth apon the news that evening. Shirley Deese who
sponsored this event allowed me to speak about plied to my forehead, someone gave me an
empty popcorn bucket that I requested, as I was
our local chapter in San Diego.
quite nauseous. People were talking to me in
I spoke about the
hopes of giving me encouragement and trying to
two main functions of
calm me down. I was very anchious for my wife
B.O. Davis, Jr. Chapwho is pretty much confined to a scooter or
ter was to preserved
wheelchair. She called our daughter to come
the legacy of the Tusdown and get her and the scooter. The last that I
kegee Airmen and
barely saw, when I was being wheeled out, was a
provide financial asbunch of Tuskegee Airmen and Women standing
sistance to college
around her. She told me that they stayed with
bound local high
her until my daughter got there.
school students.
Mary Snear-McNeil
The main purpose of this note is to say a big
THANK YOU to all of those who were there and
performed in the way that Tuskegee Airmen have
always performed. I am real proud to be a member of this organization.
Page 4
By Request
more young people could see them because he
doesn't believe they understand military history.
"This is something I couldn't have done
50 years ago because I would not have been re3/21/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air
ceived in this way," he added.
Force hosted one of the original Tuskegee AirThe challenge of racial barriers was somemen and his family March 16 during a tour of the thing he and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen had to
Pentagon.
face in the segregated landscape of the then
Retired Lt. Army Air Forces but it was a challenge he and his
Col. Walter
fellow Airmen undertook.
McCreary, his
"As a cadet, we won the battle and were acdaughter
cepted as a cadet," McCreary said. "Racial barriStephanie
ers were the main stumbling block because you
Lynch and
never got a chance to prove your ability both edugrandson
cationally and physically because of segregation.
Nicholas Lynch You always stayed on 'the other side of the
were given a
track'."
tour of the Air
McCreary was able to break down some of the
Force
Art
racial barriers he and his fellow Airmen faced by
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz preGallery, the
sents an American flag that was flown over the
focusing on his goal of flying. This must be the
Pentagon
Pentagon to retired Lt. Col. Walter McCreary on
attitude of young Airmen today, he said.
9/11 MemoMarch 16, 2012. Schwartz hosted McCreary, an
"If you have a goal in your life continue with it
original Tuskegee Airman, for an office call. (U.S.
rial and the
regardless of the trials and tribulations and the
Air Force photo/ Andy Morataya)
Tuskegee Air- setbacks," he said. "Prove yourself to be sucmen exhibit in cessful."
the Pentagon.
McCreary, who is 94, also met with Air Force
Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, who preNEWS FROM
sented him with a flag that was flown over the
GEORGE S. “SPANKY’ ROBERTS
Pentagon to commemorate his visit.
CHAPTER
A World War II aerial combat veteran with 89
(SMSgt
Walter
M. Suggs, USAF (Ret.)
missions in the European theater, he spent time
as a prisoner of war in Germany after his P-51
On January 14, 2012 we partnered with the
Mustang was hit by anti-aircraft fire that deCommemorative
Air Force to pay tribute to 14
stroyed its radiator over the skies of Bucharest,
Original
Tuskegee
Airmen with Arizona connecRomania.
tions. We have bio info on each of them. A nice
McCreary recalled coming to the Pentagon
touch to our Western Region newsletter would be
while on active duty in the 1950s when he flew
to have a featured section that highlights a couple
courier missions to deliver classified messages
Airmen per newsletter. I nominate Bob Ashby and
for the then Air Force Security Services from
Luke Weathers for the next article. Bob is one of
Kelly Air Force Base, Texas.
"I would land at Bolling Air Force Base, take a the most active members of TAI. He won the Parrish award in 2009.
water taxi to the Pentagon, deliver information,
take a water taxi back to Bolling and fly back to
Luke Weathers was interned at Arlington
San Antonio," he said. "It wasn't as busy back
on
Jan 20, 2012 - the day Red Tails opened at
then and it seems there is a lot more hustle and
the
movies. He shot down two German fightbustle going on today."
The historical displays in the building were im- ers in WW II.
pressive, McCreary said. He said he wished
‘RED TAIL’ MEMBER
VISITS THE PENTAGON
By Request
Page 5
YANKS AIR MUSEUM
4 February.2012
Our Immediate Past President, George Watson,
and George B. Barankovich planned a Salute to
Tuskegee Airmen and the Yanks Air Museum in
Chino, CA. It was a great success with many
people paying to enter the event. George Watson flew in with his T-34 escorted by two of his
fellow flyers.
Capt. Claude Rowe autographing a flyer. I think he got
writer’s cramp that day.
George Barankovich, who with George Watson
organized the event, with Lowell Bowles of the LA
Our Chapter’s Immediate Past President George Watson
Chapter
and Randy Hall, CA ANG.
Bufford Johnson, Tuskegee Airmen and mechanic during
the Top Gun Meet
George Watson and Annette Widmark a staff member
of the museum.
Page 6
Capt. Claude Rowe, Randy Hall and George Watson.
LTC Bob Friend of the Inland Empire Chapter. Where did
he get that bottle of Champagne?
Capt Rowe with George Watson and a Tuskegee Airmen
admirer, Max Ehrlich
By Request
Part of the very large appreciative, paying crowd
George Watson, Alysa Haslerig and Winnie Rowe
George and his wingman head home after a very
successful event.
By Request
Page 7
100th Street Depot Now Renamed as the Tuskegee Airmen Bus Depot
MTA's 100th Street Bus Depot has been renamed The Tuskegee Airmen Bus Depot in honor of the World War II AfricanAmerican military pilots and support personnel.
These heroes made up the famed flight-training program at
Tuskegee Army Air Field. Over the years, twelve former Tuskegee Airmen have been employed in the New York City Transit
system, serving New Yorkers and creating an unbreakable link
between the two organizations.
Held at the depot, the rededication ceremony was attended
by MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota, NYC Transit
President Thomas F. Prendergast and Darryl Irick, President of
MTA Bus and Senior Vice President NYC Transit's Department
of Buses. Also part of the celebration, were local community
leaders and former members of the illustrious 332nd Fighter
Group.
The centerpiece of the rededication was a bronze commemorative plaque newly installed in the depot's entryway. Listing the names of each of the twelve Tuskegee Airmen
who became employees of the New York City transit system, the plaque will serve as a living reminder of their bravery
and dedication to duty. A logo, bearing an artistic rendering of three Tuskegee Airmen and the red-tail P-40 Mustangs
they flew, has been incorporated in the plaque, while depot signage has been installed and decals affixed to each bus
assigned to the depot.
"The Tuskegee Airmen overcame so much to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of the War,
thanks to the numerous civil rights organizations that convinced the Army to create this iconic African-American pursuit
squadron," said Chairman Lhota. "These heroes included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support
staff. We see a very similar dynamic at the bus depot. Bus Operators,
mechanics and other personnel all working together toward one common goal. That is what makes today's dedication ceremony that much
more special."
"It is with a feeling of great pride that we name this bus depot after
a group of true American heroes, men who first served their country
valiantly and then served our City in various jobs throughout the transit system," said NYC Transit President Thomas F. Prendergast.
"This dedication of the Tuskegee Airmen Bus Depot points out their
history of achievement and sacrifice and we are all honored to have
had a number of them working for the transit system."
The 332nd Fighter Group, or "The Red Tails," as they were
known, had the combined duties of battling both American prejudice
at the time and Nazi militarism. The Group maintained an impressive
Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Tuskegee Airmen, addresses
record of protecting American bombers as they pounded enemy taraudience at Depot renaming ceremony
gets.
Tuskegee Airmen: Reginald T. Brewster, Victor A. Collymore,
Conrad A. DeSandies, Harry R. Dickenson, John R. Freeman, Noel R. Harris, Oscar W. Hawkins, Austin D. McKenzie,
Maury M. Reid, Jr., Percy E. Sutton, Victor W. Terrelonge and Fred O. Wilson. There are currently two surviving airmen
from this group, Reginald T. Brewster and Noel R. Harris.
"I'm extremely proud to be the leader of the MTA's bus operations as we establish this historically relevant New York
City memorial to authentic American heroes," said Darryl Irick, President of MTA Bus and Senior Vice President NYC
Transit's Department of Buses. "Honoring these former subway, bus and trolley workers who served as Tuskegee Airman and all Tuskegee Airmen for their valiant service, sacrifice and achievement in the face of adversity reflects the
honor that they have brought to all Americans, all New Yorkers and to the dedicated men and women of NYC Transit."
The depot is a state-of-the-art bus maintenance and storage facility designed to have as little impact as possible on the
surrounding community, far less impact, in fact, than the cramped, 108-year-old streetcar barn that it replaced when it
was opened in 2003. Taking into account two major community concerns, additional space was provided to allow indoor
parking for the entire fleet and additional bus service lanes that eliminate queuing on the street.
The facility consists of four fully enclosed floors and a mezzanine. Each floor is approximately 80,000 square feet and
the mezzanine is 29,500 square feet, for a total building area of 349,500 square feet. The depot is currently home to
seven bus routes, 130 buses and a total of 460 employees.
Page 8
By Request
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
CELEBRATION FEATURING THE
SAN DIEGO BENJAMIN O DAVIS, JR.
CHAPTER OF THE
TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
February 18, 2012
San Diego Tuskegee Airmen of the Benjamin O
Davis Chapter unite with Luca Films, represented
by Chris McIntyre and the Spirit of “45” Conference to present a special screening of critically
acclaimed “Red Tails”. Invited were over 400
youth to attend the screening and to get pictures
and autographs from 4 original Tuskegee Airmen
which included, Mr. Karl Rowe, Mr. George
Mitchell and Mr. Nelson Robinson of the San
Diego Chapter. Also on hand was Colonel
Harlan Leonard visiting from Los Angeles, CA on
behalf of Lucas Films. Mr. Harlan was schedule
to attend the NAACP Image Awards also scheduled for the night of February 17, but he chose to
spend his time with the youth instead.
The screening included a showcase provided by
Mr. George Mitchell and Nelson Robinson of their
years and service in Tuskegee Alabama during
the historical Tuskegee Experience. Both gentlemen were proud to assist with taking pictures and
signing autographs. Mr. Rowe proved to be
equally adept at signing autographs and it was
apparent from the number of request for both his
picture and his signature that he enjoyed the
honor and the opportunity to share his experiences with the youth and their families that attended the event.
We were honored with remarks from San Diego
Mayor Jerry Sanders and the
appearance of Supervisor
Ron Roberts from the
County of San Diego. The
Mayor thanked the Tuskegee Airmen for their bravery,
their love of country and for
their service. During the
ceremony, all four original
Tuskegee Airmen were
asked to stand to a round of
applause and a standing
ovation for their service.
For me, it was a real pleasure being in the room with all
of the participants and particularly the youth that got a
chance to see a film that
showed that despite the odds and the obstacles,
when you put your mind to doing something and
you remain dedicated, you will overcome the
challenges and rise to the top of the mountain.
The film was focused on the war and the part the
Tuskegee Airmen played, but it also reflected the
struggled of life in the 40’s and for that matter,
even today’s struggles.
Following the film, you could see nothing but
tears, smiles and excited fans for a bunch of
young men known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
Young men that have left a legacy of bravery, determination and integrity that should be emulated
by anyone facing life’s obstacles.
RONALD E LACEY
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE OF THE W ESTERN REGION
BOARD MEMBER OF THE SAN DIEGO CHAPTER OF THE
BENJAMIN O DAVIS TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
By Request
Page 9
Photos by Ron Lacey
Page 10
TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CHAPTERS IN
WESTERN REGION
Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter
(Mr. Larry Jackson)
Artis-Baham- Goldsborough Chapter
(MSgt Chandra (Davis) Mark, USAF)
Buford A. Johnson Chapter
(Mr. Keith Beard)
Central Coast/Vandenberg Chapter
( Dr. Arthur N. Hicks)
Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Chapter
(Mrs. Paulette Mello)
Gen. Lloyd "Fig" Newton Chapter
(Lt. Col. Sekou Billings, USAF)
George S. “Spanky” Roberts Chapter
(SMSgt Walter M. Suggs, USAF (Ret.)
By Request
HOW THE CONFEDERATE AIR
FORCE GOT AND LOST ITS NAME
The origin of the Confederate Air Force dates back to
1951 with the purchase of a surplus Curtiss P-40
Warhawk by Lloyd Nolen. Nolen and four friends then
purchased a P-51 Mustang sharing in the $2500.00 cost
of the aircraft. With the purchase of the Mustang, known
as Red Nose, the group now known as the Confederate
Air Force was unofficially founded. Legend has it that
upon arriving at the Mercedes airfield deep in Texas one
Sunday morning in 1957, the group noticed that someone
had painted a sign on the fuselage of the P-51 as a joke.
The sign read ”Confederate Air Force”. It was decided
that the name should stay. All members of the CAF are
‘Colonels’.
The name Confederate Air Force was not
deemed ‘Politically Correct’ by many donors. To
keep the money flowing the named was
changed to the Commemorative Air Force.
There is a chapter at Gillespie Field and they
give us free booth space each year at their
Wings Over Gillespie Airshow.
ROBIN ROBERTS HONORARY
MEMBER OF TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
Holloman Air Force Base Chapter
(unknown)
Hubert L. Hooks” Jones Chapter
(Mrs. Marsha A. Mallory Bennett)
James B. Knighten Chapter
(MSgt Bryan E. Jones, USAF)
Lee A. Archer, Jr. Chapter
(Mr. Clyde B. Jones, Sr.)
Los Angeles Chapter
(Mr. Lowell C. Steward, Jr.)
Sam Bruce Chapter
(Mr. Tommie Lamb)
William “Bill” Campbell Chapter
(Mr. David Cunningham)
TAI President Leon Johnson along with
Dr. Roscoe Brown presented Good Morning
America's host, Robin Roberts with a Tuskegee
Airmen "Red Jacket" making her an honorary
member of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
Robin Roberts is the anchor of ABC's "Good
Morning America."
By Request
Page 11
YANKEE AIR MUSEUM
CHINO AIRPORT
By J. Donaldson
Yankee Air Museum Volunteer
The February 4th “Meet the Real Red Tails”
event was an overwhelming success! Anticipation ran high among a crowd of over five hundred, as George Barankovich introduced three
special guests: Master Sergeant Buford Johnson, Lieutenant Colonel Bob Friend, and Captain Claude Rowe. These Tuskegee Airmen beguiled the crowd with accounts of combat pilot
and mechanic exploits, and history truly came
to life in the Yanks Museum hangar. Johnson,
Friend, and Rowe, who championed higher education and a service-oriented work ethic, each
received a framed commemorative “Declaration
of Independence” in honor of their service to
American ideals.
See photos pages 6 and 7
HISTORICAL CLIP
On March 31, 1963, Captain Edward Dwight,
Jr., USAF, was the first man of color to be chosen for astronaut training.
Ed Dwight,
the first Afr i c a n
American
trained as
an
astronaut
and
the sculptor
of
major
m o n u ments, was
born on the
outskirts of
Kansas
City, KanEdward Dwight, Jr
sas,
in
1933. His father, Ed Dwight, Sr., played second
base for the Kansas City Monarchs in baseball's
Negro League. Child rearing fell primarily on
Dwight's Catholic mother, Georgia Baker
Dwight, who convinced her son that he could
accomplish almost anything.
Dwight grew up an avid reader and talented
artist who was mechanically gifted and enjoyed working with his hands.
Dwight joined the U.S. Air Force in 1953,
pursuing his dream of flying jet aircraft. He became a test pilot, and in 1961 earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from Arizona
State University.
At the suggestion of the National Urban
League's Whitney M. Young, Jr., the John F.
Kennedy administration chose Dwight as the
first black astronaut trainee in 1962. Facing
severe discrimination from other astronauts,
Dwight persevered until Kennedy's death,
when government officials created a threatening atmosphere. He resigned in 1966, never
having gone into space. Dwight's talents then
led him to work as an engineer, in real estate
and for IBM. In the mid-1970s, he turned to art
and studied at the University of Denver, learning to operate the university's metal casting
foundry. He received an M.F.A. in 1977 and
gained a reputation as a sculptor. Ed Dwight
Studios in Denver is now one of the largest
privately owned production and marketing facilities in the western United States. His engineering background helps him face the problems of creating mammoth sculpture and his
well-stocked library of African American history and culture informs his work. Dwight is
recognized as the innovator of the negative
space technique.
Dwight has sculpted great works of celebratory African American art, including international monuments, the Underground Railroad
in Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario; a
Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial in Denver's
City Park; a bust of George Washington Williams in the Ohio State Capitol in Columbus,
Ohio; the Black Patriots Memorial on the mall
in Washington, D.C.; the South Carolina Black
History Memorial in Columbia, South Carolina;
and the Alex Haley-Kunta Kinte Memorial in
Annapolis, Maryland. The Quincy Jones
Sculpture Park in Chicago brings his total major works to thirty-five, some of which are on
permanent display at the Smithsonian Institute.
www.tuskegeesdai.org
10711 Esmeraldas Dr
San Diego, CA 92124