Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

12 Pages·2012·13.5 MB·English

Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

General
Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.
Chapter
San Diego
San Diego, CA.
Editor: Oscar D. Teel President: Paulette Mello March 2012
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
The past few months have been amazing and
jammed packed with TAISD activities! From the
Greeting chap- release of the “Red Tails” movie in January, to
ter members. the numerous speaking engagements in Febru-
Hard to believe ary for Black History month, we have been a little
that 2012 is al- busy! It was especially great seeing our own DO-
ready in full TAs (George Mitchell, Nelson Robison, Alfonso
swing. Also hard Harris, and Claude Rowe) at the Red Tails movie
to believe that I premiere. I want to extend a big “Thank You” and
was nominated kudos to all who were able to volunteer to speak
as president of and/or to represent the chapter at various events.
this chapter! I My vision for this year involves continuing to
have big shoes to
educate the public about the legacy of the Tuske-
fill following the
gee Airmen, as well as encourage and provide
leadership of
mentorship to youth via outreach opportunities.
George Watson
We have business to do, things to plan; but we
who has done
great things for also want our volunteer experience in this chapter
our chapter. I am to be enjoyable and rewarding. Let’s make the
President Paulette Mello most appreciative rest of 2012 an awesome year!
of the encourage-
ment and support that I have received from you
and believe me; I will continue to need it!
DOTAs IN OUR CHAPTER
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 temporar-
ily withdrawing from Embry Riddle Aeronautical
University. As my dad used to say, it’s time to get
back on the saddle.

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 HISTORY OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
PRESENTED AT CAREFUSION.
TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
On February 7th,

Paulette Mello ac-
Mr. Brew O. Gra-
companied Claude
ham of Riverdale,
Rowe to CareFu-
Georgia was born
sion, a global medi-
on February 20,
cal technology cor-
1915., in Green-
poration, in Del Mar
wood, Mississippi.
for a presentation
He served over-
in honor of Black
seas during WW II
History month. Also
as an airplane me-
in attendance were
chanic with the
Dorothy and Win-
99th Fighter
nie Rowe. CareFu-
Mr. Brew O. Graham Squadron and later
sion employee
with the 332nd Fighter Group. Mr. Graham’s
Karen Heldrich
Separation Qualification Records lists him as an
made the request
Airplane Mechanic and inspector at an advanced
via chapter mem-
base close to the front lines. He examined the
ber Arlys Erickson and the end product resulted
planes and made a detailed report as to the
in a $1500 contribution to the chapter’s scholar-
amount of damage or worn parts. He was quali-
ship fund!
fied to run the engines and assign mechanics to Chapter President Paulette Mello
Definitely a
repair damage. He then supervised and in- and Capt. Claude Rowe
wonderful
spected the work and tested the planes including
surprise that
taxiing it around the field before it was cleared for
we are grateful for. Paulette presented a 20 min-
flying.
ute presentation about the Tuskegee Airmen and
In the above photo, taken by Stan Coleman,
about Mr. Rowe’s career to an audience of about
Mr. Graham displays a memento from his WW II
100 staff and guests. Mr. Rowe proceeded to do
days ..an original PILOT’S CHECK-OFF LIST
a Q&A session to an excited audience who of-
(Engine Instructions) for the P-40L airplane, just
fered their admiration and gratitude to Mr. Rowe
one of the many aircraft he serviced.
and the Tuskegee Airmen.

(Thanks to Zellie Rainey Orr for the above article.)
(Note: Ms. Orr is President of the TAI Atlanta Chapter, For-
mer TAI National Historian and Consultant to Lucasfilms)
Red Tails Companion piece) Documentary—Double Vic-
tory.)

Many thanks for
the leadership of
our Immediate
Past President.

Ms. Zellie Rainey Orr GEORGE WATSON
By Request Page 3
CHAPTER MEMBERS ATTEND THANKS FOR THE CONCERN
BLACK HISTORY EVENT
By Ted Leimbach
Submitted by,
Bill McNeil At the January
18th screening of the
On leap day Mary RED TAILS movie, I
and I attended a became ill at the end
Black History event of the movie. I tried
at Northrop Grum- to get to the rest-
man Corporation lo- room but could even
cated in Rancho get three or four
Bernardo, CA. rows up the
The feature aisle. My lights were
speaker was Mr. Buf- going out. Paramed-
ford Johnson. Mr. ics were called and I
Johnson spoke was on my way to
about his experi- the hospital. Long
ences as an Aircraft story short, I was ok
Ted Leimbach
Mechanic in the seg- in a few days. It
regated Army Air seems that the fancy
Bill McNeil
Corp during World nut mixture that had been setting in my refresh-
War II. ment fridge had expired two or three years
The audience consisted mainly of African- ago. They had caused the gastridious attach that
American Aerospace Engineers; it was appropri- over took me. I am doing great now.
ately a total of 125 in attendances. Mr. Johnson
spoke and entertained questions for about an I was very amazed at the actions of my fellow
hour, not bad for an 84 year old. The local ABC members of the Tuskegee Airmen who had just
news channel 10 covered the event recorded it witnessed the show. I could not see what was
on the news that evening. Shirley Deese who going on but all at once I had a cool wet cloth ap-
sponsored this event allowed me to speak about plied to my forehead, someone gave me an
our local chapter in San Diego. empty popcorn bucket that I requested, as I was
I spoke about the quite nauseous. People were talking to me in
two main functions of hopes of giving me encouragement and trying to
B.O. Davis, Jr. Chap- calm me down. I was very anchious for my wife
ter was to preserved who is pretty much confined to a scooter or
the legacy of the Tus- wheelchair. She called our daughter to come
kegee Airmen and down and get her and the scooter. The last that I
provide financial as- barely saw, when I was being wheeled out, was a
sistance to college bunch of Tuskegee Airmen and Women standing
bound local high around her. She told me that they stayed with
school students. her until my daughter got there.

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 mem-
ber of this organization.
Mary Snear-McNeil
Page 4 By Request
more young people could see them because he
‘RED TAIL’ MEMBER
doesn't believe they understand military history.
VISITS THE PENTAGON
"This is something I couldn't have done
50 years ago because I would not have been re-
3/21/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air
ceived in this way," he added.
Force hosted one of the original Tuskegee Air-
The challenge of racial barriers was some-
men 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 ac-
daughter
cepted as a cadet," McCreary said. "Racial barri-
Stephanie
ers were the main stumbling block because you
Lynch and
never got a chance to prove your ability both edu-
grandson
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 pre-
Gallery, 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.
March 16, 2012. Schwartz hosted McCreary, an 9/11 Memo- "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 suc-
men exhibit in
cessful."
the Pentagon.

McCreary, who is 94, also met with Air Force
Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, who pre-
NEWS FROM
sented him with a flag that was flown over the
GEORGE S. “SPANKY’ ROBERTS
Pentagon to commemorate his visit.
A World War II aerial combat veteran with 89 CHAPTER
missions in the European theater, he spent time (SMSgt Walter M. Suggs, USAF (Ret.)
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 de-
Commemorative Air Force to pay tribute to 14
stroyed its radiator over the skies of Bucharest,
Original Tuskegee Airmen with Arizona connec-
Romania.
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.
the most active members of TAI. He won the Par-
"I would land at Bolling Air Force Base, take a
rish 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 fight-
bustle going on today."
ers in WW II.
The historical displays in the building were im-
pressive, McCreary said. He said he wished
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 Capt. Claude Rowe autographing a flyer. I think he got
people paying to enter the event. George Wat- writer’s cramp that day.
son flew in with his T-34 escorted by two of his
fellow flyers.
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
George Watson and Annette Widmark a staff member
the Top Gun Meet
of the museum.
Page 6 By Request

Part of the very large appreciative, paying crowd
Capt. Claude Rowe, Randy Hall and George Watson.
LTC Bob Friend of the Inland Empire Chapter. Where did
he get that bottle of Champagne? George Watson, Alysa Haslerig and Winnie Rowe
George and his wingman head home after a very
successful event.
Capt Rowe with George Watson and a Tuskegee Airmen
admirer, Max Ehrlich
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 Tus-
kegee Airmen Bus Depot in honor of the World War II African-
American military pilots and support personnel.
These heroes made up the famed flight-training program at
Tuskegee Army Air Field. Over the years, twelve former Tuske-
gee 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 com-
memorative 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 com-
mon 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
agroup of true American heroes, men who first served their country
valiantly and then served our City in various jobs throughout the tran-
sit 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 tar-
audience 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 Air-
man 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 the historical Tuskegee Experience. Both gentle-
CELEBRATION FEATURING THE men were proud to assist with taking pictures and
signing autographs. Mr. Rowe proved to be
SAN DIEGO BENJAMIN O DAVIS, JR.
equally adept at signing autographs and it was
CHAPTER OF THE
apparent from the number of request for both his
TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
picture and his signature that he enjoyed the
honor and the opportunity to share his experi-
February 18, 2012 ences with the youth and their families that at-
tended the event.
We were honored with re-
marks from San Diego
Mayor Jerry Sanders and the
appearance of Supervisor
Ron Roberts from the
County of San Diego. The
Mayor thanked the Tuske-
gee 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 pleas-
ure being in the room with all
of the participants and par-
ticularly 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
San Diego Tuskegee Airmen of the Benjamin O
Davis Chapter unite with Luca Films, represented you remain dedicated, you will overcome the
by Chris McIntyre and the Spirit of “45” Confer- challenges and rise to the top of the mountain.
ence to present a special screening of critically The film was focused on the war and the part the
acclaimed “Red Tails”. Invited were over 400
Tuskegee Airmen played, but it also reflected the
youth to attend the screening and to get pictures
struggled of life in the 40’s and for that matter,
and autographs from 4 original Tuskegee Airmen
even today’s struggles.
which included, Mr. Karl Rowe, Mr. George
Mitchell and Mr. Nelson Robinson of the San
Following the film, you could see nothing but
Diego Chapter. Also on hand was Colonel
tears, smiles and excited fans for a bunch of
Harlan Leonard visiting from Los Angeles, CA on
young men known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
behalf of Lucas Films. Mr. Harlan was schedule
Young men that have left a legacy of bravery, de-
to attend the NAACP Image Awards also sched-
termination and integrity that should be emulated
uled for the night of February 17, but he chose to
by anyone facing life’s obstacles.
spend his time with the youth instead.
RONALD E LACEY
The screening included a showcase provided by
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE OF THE WESTERN REGION
Mr. George Mitchell and Nelson Robinson of their BOARD MEMBER OF THE SAN DIEGO CHAPTER OF THE
years and service in Tuskegee Alabama during BENJAMIN O DAVIS TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
By Request Page 9
Photos by Ron Lacey
Page 10 By Request
TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CHAPTERS IN HOW THE CONFEDERATE AIR
WESTERN REGION FORCE GOT AND LOST ITS NAME

The origin of the Confederate Air Force dates back to
Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter
1951 with the purchase of a surplus Curtiss P-40
(Mr. Larry Jackson)
Warhawk by Lloyd Nolen. Nolen and four friends then
purchased a P-51 Mustang sharing in the $2500.00 cost
Artis-Baham- Goldsborough Chapter of the aircraft. With the purchase of the Mustang, known
as Red Nose, the group now known as the Confederate
(MSgt Chandra (Davis) Mark, USAF)
Air Force was unofficially founded. Legend has it that
upon arriving at the Mercedes airfield deep in Texas one
Buford A. Johnson Chapter Sunday morning in 1957, the group noticed that someone
had painted a sign on the fuselage of the P-51 as a joke.
(Mr. Keith Beard)
The sign read ”Confederate Air Force”. It was decided
that the name should stay. All members of the CAF are
Central Coast/Vandenberg Chapter ‘Colonels’.
( Dr. Arthur N. Hicks) The name Confederate Air Force was not
deemed ‘Politically Correct’ by many donors. To
Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Chapter keep the money flowing the named was
changed to the Commemorative Air Force.
(Mrs. Paulette Mello)
There is a chapter at Gillespie Field and they

give us free booth space each year at their
Gen. Lloyd "Fig" Newton Chapter Wings Over Gillespie Airshow.
(Lt. Col. Sekou Billings, USAF)
ROBIN ROBERTS HONORARY
George S. “Spanky” Roberts Chapter MEMBER OF TUSKEGEE AIRMEN
(SMSgt Walter M. Suggs, USAF (Ret.)

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.)

TAI President Leon Johnson along with
Sam Bruce Chapter Dr. Roscoe Brown presented Good Morning
(Mr. Tommie Lamb) America's host, Robin Roberts with a Tuskegee
Airmen "Red Jacket" making her an honorary
William “Bill” Campbell Chapter member of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
Robin Roberts is the anchor of ABC's "Good
(Mr. David Cunningham)
Morning America."