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{{Short description|United States Air Force general (1924–2015)}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|name=Calvin J. Spann
|name=Calvin J. Spann
|image=File:First Lieutenant Clavin J. Spann 15th Air Force.jpg
|image=First Lieutenant Clavin J. Spann 15th Air Force.jpg
|caption=1st Lt. Calvin J. Spann an Original Tuskegee Airmen of the 332nd Fighter Group 100th Squadron
|caption=1st Lt. Calvin J. Spann, an original Tuskegee Airman of the 332nd Fighter Group 100th Squadron
|birth_date={{birth date|1924|11|28}}
|birth_date={{birth date|1924|11|28}}
|birth_place=[[Rutherford, New Jersey]], U.S.
|birth_place=[[Rutherford, New Jersey]], U.S.
Line 8: Line 10:
|death_place=[[Texas]], U.S.
|death_place=[[Texas]], U.S.
}}
}}
'''Calvin J. Spann''' (November 28, 1924 &ndash; September 6, 2015) was an original [[Tuskegee Airman]] and fighter pilot with the 100th Fighter Squadron of the [[332nd Fighter Group]]. Spann received his wings from the Tuskegee Flight School as a part of the graduating class of 44G.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allentx.swagit.com/play/07222011-26 |title=Allen Public Library Presents: Tuskegee Airman Lt. Calvin Spann - The City of Allen, TX |publisher=Allentx.swagit.com |date= |accessdate=2013-08-24}}</ref> As a member of the [[United States Army Air Corps]], he served in Europe during [[World War II]], where Spann flew 26 combat missions before the end of the war in the European Theatre.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://northdallasgazette.com/2013/02/20/frontiers-of-flight-museum-honoring-african-american-aviation-pioneers-past-present/ |title=Frontiers of Flight Museum Honoring African American aviation pioneers past & present |publisher=North Dallas Gazette |date=2013-02-20 |accessdate=2013-08-24}}</ref>
'''Calvin J. Spann''' (November 28, 1924 &ndash; September 6, 2015) was one of the original [[Tuskegee Airmen]], a fighter pilot with the 100th Fighter Squadron of the [[332nd Fighter Group]]. Spann received his wings from the Tuskegee Flight School as a part of graduating class 44G.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allentx.swagit.com/play/07222011-26 |title=Allen Public Library Presents: Tuskegee Airman Lt. Calvin Spann - The City of Allen, TX |publisher=Allen Public Library Presents |access-date=2013-08-24}}</ref> As a member of the [[United States Army Air Corps]], he served in Europe during [[World War II]], where Spann flew 26 combat missions before the end of the war in the European Theater.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://northdallasgazette.com/2013/02/20/frontiers-of-flight-museum-honoring-african-american-aviation-pioneers-past-present/ |title=Frontiers of Flight Museum Honoring African American aviation pioneers past & present |work=North Dallas Gazette |date=2013-02-20 |access-date=2013-08-24}}</ref>


==Education==
==Education==


He attended [[Rutherford High School (New Jersey)|Rutherford High School]].<ref name="toddsouth">{{cite web|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/tuskegee-airman-returning-home-to-rutherford-for-one-final-salute-1.1409209|title=Tuskegee Airman returning home to Rutherford for one final salute|author=TODD SOUTH|work=NorthJersey.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/rutherford-native-calvin-spann-famed-tuskegee-airman-dies-at-age-90-1.1405064|title=Rutherford native Calvin Spann, famed Tuskegee Airman, dies at age 90|author=RICHARD COWEN|work=NorthJersey.com}}</ref>
He attended [[Rutherford High School (New Jersey)|Rutherford High School]].<ref name="toddsouth">{{cite web|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/tuskegee-airman-returning-home-to-rutherford-for-one-final-salute-1.1409209|title=Tuskegee Airman returning home to Rutherford for one final salute|author=Todd South|work=NorthJersey.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/rutherford-native-calvin-spann-famed-tuskegee-airman-dies-at-age-90-1.1405064|title=Rutherford native Calvin Spann, famed Tuskegee Airman, dies at age 90|author=Richard Cowen|work=NorthJersey.com}}</ref>


==Military career==
==Military career==
[[File:Tuskegee airmen playing cards.jpg|thumb|Spann (standing at right) watches fellow Tuskegee Airmen playing cards in the officers club in the evening while stationed in Italy (March 1945)]]
[[File:Tuskegee airmen playing cards.jpg|thumb|Spann (standing at right) watches fellow Tuskegee Airmen playing cards in the officers club in the evening while stationed in Italy (March 1945)]]


During Spann's wartime service (1944–1946), he was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group under the command of Col. [[Benjamin O. Davis Jr.]], who on September 2, 1941, was the first African American officer to solo an aircraft under the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]]. Davis would later rise to the rank of General in the [[United States Air Force]].
During Spann's wartime service (1944–1946), he was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group under the command of Colonel [[Benjamin O. Davis Jr.]], who on September 2, 1941, was the first African American officer to solo an aircraft under the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]]. Davis would later rise to the rank of general in the [[United States Air Force]].
While assigned to the 332nd, he flew in the longest bomber escort mission of 15th Air Force, a 1600-mile round trip mission on March 24, 1945,<ref>Freedom Flyers The Tuskegee Airmen of World War II {{ISBN|978-0-19-538655-4}} by Moye, J. Todd</ref> from [[Ramitelli Airfield|Ramitelli]], Italy, to Berlin, Germany, to destroy a Daimler-Benz manufacturing facility under the leadership of his squadron commander, Captain [[Roscoe Brown]].
While assigned to the 332nd, he flew in the longest bomber escort mission of 15th Air Force, a 1600-mile round trip mission on March 24, 1945,<ref>Freedom Flyers The Tuskegee Airmen of World War II {{ISBN|978-0-19-538655-4}} by Moye, J. Todd</ref> from [[Ramitelli Airfield|Ramitelli]], Italy, to Berlin, Germany, to destroy a Daimler-Benz manufacturing facility under the leadership of squadron commander Captain [[Roscoe Brown]].

==Congressional Gold Medal==
⚫
On February 28, 2006, the U.S. Congress approved a bill authorizing President [[George W. Bush]] to award the [[Congressional Gold Medal]] to the Tuskegee Airmen, the highest civilian honor awarded by the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kirtland.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123063831 |title=Tuskegee Airman presented Congressional Gold Medal of Honor |publisher=Kirtland.af.mil |date=2007-08-08 |accessdate=2013-08-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714233643/http://www.kirtland.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123063831# |archive-date=2014-07-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Later life==
==Later life==
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Later in his life, Spann spoke at schools, churches and organizations about the Tuskegee Airmen experience and how their courage and valor helped them to triumph. During these speeches, he encouraged students to make a commitment to excel in the study of mathematics and science, and reminding them that through preparation and perseverance they can succeed.
Later in his life, Spann spoke at schools, churches and organizations about the Tuskegee Airmen experience and how their courage and valor helped them to triumph. During these speeches, he encouraged students to make a commitment to excel in the study of mathematics and science, and reminding them that through preparation and perseverance they can succeed.


Spann lived in [[Englewood, New Jersey]] and worked in the pharmaceutical industry.<ref name="toddsouth"/> Spann died on September 6, 2015 at the age of 90 in [[McKinney, Texas]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://time.com/4024333/tuskegee-airman-calvin-spann/|title=Tuskegee Airman Who Flew 26 Missions Over Germany Dies at 90|author=Megan Gibson|work=TIME.com}}</ref> where he had moved in 2006 to be close to his daughter, Carla Spann and his grandchildren Carson and Cameron.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Tuskegee-Airman-Calvin-Spann-Laid-to-Rest-in-Carrollton-327135021.html|title=North Texas Funeral Held for Tuskegee Airman Calvin Spann|work=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth}}</ref> He is buried in East Ridgelawn Cemetery in [[Clifton, New Jersey]].<ref>[https://www.phillytrib.com/obituaries/calvin-spann-90-original-tuskegee-airman/article_1faca231-336a-5b43-a04e-243b713db1bd.html ''Philadelphia Tribune'' obituary]</ref>
Spann lived in [[Englewood, New Jersey]], and worked in the pharmaceutical industry.<ref name="toddsouth"/> Spann died on September 6, 2015, at the age of 90 in [[McKinney, Texas]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://time.com/4024333/tuskegee-airman-calvin-spann/|title=Tuskegee Airman Who Flew 26 Missions Over Germany Dies at 90|author=Megan Gibson|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref> where he had moved in 2006 to be close to his daughter, Carla Spann and his grandchildren Carson and Cameron.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Tuskegee-Airman-Calvin-Spann-Laid-to-Rest-in-Carrollton-327135021.html|title=North Texas Funeral Held for Tuskegee Airman Calvin Spann|date=12 September 2015 |publisher=NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth}}</ref> He is buried in East Ridgelawn Cemetery in [[Clifton, New Jersey]].<ref>[https://www.phillytrib.com/obituaries/calvin-spann-90-original-tuskegee-airman/article_1faca231-336a-5b43-a04e-243b713db1bd.html ''Philadelphia Tribune'' obituary]</ref>


==Military awards==
==Military awards==
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*The American Campaign Ribbon
*The American Campaign Ribbon
*The World War II Victory Medal
*The World War II Victory Medal
⚫
*The Congressional Gold Medal (Tuskegee Airmen)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kirtland.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123063831 |title=Tuskegee Airman presented Congressional Gold Medal of Honor |publisher=Kirtland.af.mil |date=2007-08-08 |access-date=2013-08-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714233643/http://www.kirtland.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123063831 |archive-date=2014-07-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*The Congressional Gold Medal (Tuskegee Airmen)

==See also==
* [[Dogfights (TV series)|''Dogfights'' (TV series)]]
* [[Executive Order 9981]]
* [[Freeman Field Mutiny]]
* [[List of Tuskegee Airmen]]
* [[Military history of African Americans]]
* [[The Tuskegee Airmen|''The Tuskegee Airmen'' (movie)]]


==References==
==References==
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*[http://northdallasgazette.com/2013/02/20/frontiers-of-flight-museum-honoring-african-american-aviation-pioneers-past-present/ Northdallasgazette.com]
*[http://northdallasgazette.com/2013/02/20/frontiers-of-flight-museum-honoring-african-american-aviation-pioneers-past-present/ Northdallasgazette.com]
*[http://www.northtexas.va.gov/features/Tuskegee_Aviators.asp Northtexas.va.gov]
*[http://www.northtexas.va.gov/features/Tuskegee_Aviators.asp Northtexas.va.gov]
*[https://archive.is/20130705141302/http://www.tuskegeeairmen.org/newsevents/motonfield.aspx Tuskegeeairmen.org]
*[https://archive.today/20130705141302/http://www.tuskegeeairmen.org/newsevents/motonfield.aspx Tuskegeeairmen.org]
*[https://archive.is/20130630142727/http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/64583662.html Wfaa.com]
*[https://archive.today/20130630142727/http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/64583662.html Wfaa.com]
*[http://www.americanveteranscenter.org/events/conference/speaker-biographies/ Americanveteranscenter.org]
*[http://www.americanveteranscenter.org/events/conference/speaker-biographies/ Americanveteranscenter.org]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120309055702/http://www.aafha.org/ohsample.html Aafha.org]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120309055702/http://www.aafha.org/ohsample.html Aafha.org]
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{{Tuskegee Airmen|state=autocollapse}}
{{Tuskegee Airmen|state=autocollapse}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spann, Calvin J.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spann, Calvin J.}}
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:1924 births]]
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[[Category:People from McKinney, Texas]]
[[Category:People from McKinney, Texas]]
[[Category:Rutherford High School (New Jersey) alumni]]
[[Category:Rutherford High School (New Jersey) alumni]]
[[Category:United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II]]
[[Category:African-American aviators]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American people]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Texas]]
[[Category:Military personnel from New Jersey]]

Latest revision as of 09:49, 16 May 2024

Calvin J. Spann
1st Lt. Calvin J. Spann, an original Tuskegee Airman of the 332nd Fighter Group 100th Squadron
Born(1924-11-28)November 28, 1924
Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedSeptember 6, 2015(2015-09-06) (aged 90)
Texas, U.S.

Calvin J. Spann (November 28, 1924 – September 6, 2015) was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, a fighter pilot with the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group. Spann received his wings from the Tuskegee Flight School as a part of graduating class 44G.[1] As a member of the United States Army Air Corps, he served in Europe during World War II, where Spann flew 26 combat missions before the end of the war in the European Theater.[2]

Education

[edit]

He attended Rutherford High School.[3][4]

Military career

[edit]
Spann (standing at right) watches fellow Tuskegee Airmen playing cards in the officers club in the evening while stationed in Italy (March 1945)

During Spann's wartime service (1944–1946), he was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group under the command of Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr., who on September 2, 1941, was the first African American officer to solo an aircraft under the U.S. Army Air Corps. Davis would later rise to the rank of general in the United States Air Force. While assigned to the 332nd, he flew in the longest bomber escort mission of 15th Air Force, a 1600-mile round trip mission on March 24, 1945,[5] from Ramitelli, Italy, to Berlin, Germany, to destroy a Daimler-Benz manufacturing facility under the leadership of squadron commander Captain Roscoe Brown.

Later life

[edit]
Spann speaks with members of the 11th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base as they sit inside the bomb bay of a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (December 2014)

Later in his life, Spann spoke at schools, churches and organizations about the Tuskegee Airmen experience and how their courage and valor helped them to triumph. During these speeches, he encouraged students to make a commitment to excel in the study of mathematics and science, and reminding them that through preparation and perseverance they can succeed.

Spann lived in Englewood, New Jersey, and worked in the pharmaceutical industry.[3] Spann died on September 6, 2015, at the age of 90 in McKinney, Texas,[6] where he had moved in 2006 to be close to his daughter, Carla Spann and his grandchildren Carson and Cameron.[7] He is buried in East Ridgelawn Cemetery in Clifton, New Jersey.[8]

Military awards

[edit]
  • The Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
  • A Presidential Unit Citation
  • The European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon
  • The American Campaign Ribbon
  • The World War II Victory Medal
  • The Congressional Gold Medal (Tuskegee Airmen)[9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Allen Public Library Presents: Tuskegee Airman Lt. Calvin Spann - The City of Allen, TX". Allen Public Library Presents. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  2. ^ "Frontiers of Flight Museum Honoring African American aviation pioneers past & present". North Dallas Gazette. 2013-02-20. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  3. ^ a b Todd South. "Tuskegee Airman returning home to Rutherford for one final salute". NorthJersey.com.
  4. ^ Richard Cowen. "Rutherford native Calvin Spann, famed Tuskegee Airman, dies at age 90". NorthJersey.com.
  5. ^ Freedom Flyers The Tuskegee Airmen of World War II ISBN 978-0-19-538655-4 by Moye, J. Todd
  6. ^ Megan Gibson. "Tuskegee Airman Who Flew 26 Missions Over Germany Dies at 90". Time.
  7. ^ "North Texas Funeral Held for Tuskegee Airman Calvin Spann". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. 12 September 2015.
  8. ^ Philadelphia Tribune obituary
  9. ^ "Tuskegee Airman presented Congressional Gold Medal of Honor". Kirtland.af.mil. 2007-08-08. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2013-08-24.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Freedom Flyers The Tuskegee Airmen of World War II ISBN 978-0-19-538655-4 by Moye, J. Todd
  • Boundless Sky "The Journey of LT. Calvin Spann, Tuskegee Airman ISBN 978-0-69220-406-1 Author Calvin J Spann, Written by: Jonathan Singleton, Created by Lindell Singleton
[edit]
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