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{{Short description|American Tuskegee Airman fighter pilot (1919–1995)}}
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{{Article for deletion/dated|page=Willie H. Fuller|timestamp=20210920031916|year=2021|month=September|day=20|substed=yes}}
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{{Short description|American soldier in the Tuskegee Airmen}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
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| native_name =
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| native_name_lang = English
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| image = File:Willie_H._Fuller_photo.jpeg
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| caption = Willie H. Fuller
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| battles =
| battles =
| awards = {{Plainlist |
| awards = {{Plainlist |
* [[Congressional Gold Medal]]
* [[Congressional Gold Medal]] awarded to the Tuskegee Airmen
* [[Air Medal (United States)|Air Medal with oak leaf cluster]]
* [[Air Medal (United States)|Air Medal with oak leaf cluster]]
}}
}}
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}}
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'''Willie Howell Fuller ("Will")''' (August 2, 1919 – January 3, 1995) was a [[U.S. Army Air Force]]/[[U.S. Air Force]] officer,<ref name="TampaT19841225"/> combat fighter pilot, and combat flight instructor with the [[332nd Fighter Group]]'s 99th Pursuit Squadron, best known as the [[Tuskegee Airmen]] or "Red Tails". He was the first black flight instructor for the single engine planes at Tuskegee. He was the only black [[flight instructor]] until December 1944.<ref name="TAC" /> He was one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.<ref name="CAF2" /> He flew 76 combat missions.<ref name="Fleming" /><ref name="MiamiH19950104"/>
'''Willie Howell Fuller''' (August 2, 1919 – January 3, 1995) was a [[U.S. Army Air Force]]/[[U.S. Air Force]] officer,<ref name="TampaT19841225"/> combat fighter pilot, and combat flight instructor with the [[332nd Fighter Group]]'s 99th Pursuit Squadron, best known as the [[Tuskegee Airmen]] or "Red Tails". He was the first black flight instructor for the single engine planes at Tuskegee. He was the only black [[flight instructor]] until December 1944.<ref name="TAC" /> He was one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.<ref name="CAF2" /> He flew 76 combat missions.<ref name="MiamiH19950104"/>


On August 5, 1942, Fuller graduated from the Tuskegee Advanced Pilot Cadet program as a member of the fifth-ever Cadet Class Single Engine Section SE-42-G.<ref name="CAF2" /><ref name="zwfQI" /><ref name="WWIIMD" /><ref name="Terry" /><ref name="Caver" /><ref name="TimesR19850106"/>
On August 5, 1942, Fuller graduated from the Tuskegee Advanced Pilot Cadet program as a member of the fifth-ever Cadet Class Single Engine Section SE-42-G.<ref name="CAF2" /><ref name="zwfQI" /><ref name="WWIIMD" /><ref name="Terry" /><ref name="Caver" />


As he told ''[[Scout Life|Boys' Life]]'': "Everybody figured that we could not fly and deliver under pressure. We wanted to prove that we could."<ref name="Boy's" /> He was later honored by the Dade County (FL) Aviation Department and Florida Memorial College as part of their Blacks in Aviation Celebration for his contributions to the aviation industry.<ref name="Jet" />
As he told ''[[Scout Life|Boys' Life]]'': "Everybody figured that we could not fly and deliver under pressure. We wanted to prove that we could."<ref name="Boy's" /> He was later honored by the Dade County (FL) Aviation Department and Florida Memorial College as part of their Blacks in Aviation Celebration for his contributions to the aviation industry.<ref name="Jet" />

Fuller should not be confused with Flight Officer William A. Fuller Jr. of Single Engine Section Cadet Class SE-45-E, August 4, 1945.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Fuller was born on August 2, 1919 in [[Tarboro, North Carolina]].<ref name="WWIIMD" /><ref name="Avstop" /> Educated in the Tarboro public schools, Fuller attended [[Tuskegee Institute]], graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Industries in 1942. <ref name="dZnYJ" />
Fuller was born on August 2, 1919, in [[Tarboro, North Carolina]].<ref name="WWIIMD" /><ref name="Avstop" /> Educated in the Tarboro public schools, Fuller attended [[Tuskegee Institute]], graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Industries in 1942.<ref name="dZnYJ" />


Following his military service, Fuller married Willie (Billie) Dunson Fuller.<ref name="Cooper" />
Following his military service, Fuller married Willie (Billie) Dunson Fuller.<ref name="Cooper" />
Line 58: Line 51:
==Military career==
==Military career==
[[File:Curtiss P-40, ¾-front view, in flight (00910460 023).jpg|thumb|Fuller flew a P-40 which he named after his first wife: Ruthea.{{#tag:ref|The Tuskegee Airmen trained with the P-40 aircraft. Later the Tuskegee Airmen became known for flying the P-51 aircraft with red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder; their P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, yellow wing bands and all-red tail surfaces.<ref name="Rice" />|group=N}}]]
[[File:Curtiss P-40, ¾-front view, in flight (00910460 023).jpg|thumb|Fuller flew a P-40 which he named after his first wife: Ruthea.{{#tag:ref|The Tuskegee Airmen trained with the P-40 aircraft. Later the Tuskegee Airmen became known for flying the P-51 aircraft with red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder; their P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, yellow wing bands and all-red tail surfaces.<ref name="Rice" />|group=N}}]]
[[File:Lena Horne with Tuskegee airmen.png|thumb|Lena Horne posing with the [[Tuskegee Airmen]] in Tuskegee Alabama during World War II. Fuller is behind Horne wearing a cap.{{#tag:ref|Lena Horne performed for members of the United States military many times. Often she was required to perform for white troops first. She could only perform for the black troops the next day in a separate blacks only mess hall.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |last1=Pilkington |first1=Ed |title=Lena Horne: a silken voice and fiery pride |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/may/10/lena-horne-profile-tributes |access-date=30 September 2021 |publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited |date=10 May 2010}}</ref> She performed for the first black pilots, (the Tuskegee airmen) during World War II.<ref name="Lenaw">{{cite book |last1=Ralston Major |first1=Glenda |last2=Clark Johnson, III |first2=Forrest |last3=Lanning Minchew |first3=Kaye |title=LaGrange |date=2011 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |location=Charleston South Carolina |isbn=978-0-7385-8768-4 |page=90 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RK4aZV41-8sC&q=lena+horne+willie+fuller&pg=PA90 |access-date=30 September 2021}}</ref>|group=N}}]]


Fuller received a certificate for military excellence, as a Cadet Second Lieutenant, in May 1940.<ref name="Montgo19400521"/> He was a college student in December 1941, when [[Pearl Harbor attack|Pearl Harbor]] was attacked, and enlisted in the United States army shortly afterwards on March 16, 1942.<ref name="LaGrange" />
Fuller received a certificate for military excellence, as a Cadet Second Lieutenant, in May 1940.<ref name="Montgo19400521"/> He was a college student in December 1941, when [[Pearl Harbor attack|Pearl Harbor]] was attacked, and enlisted in the United States army shortly afterwards on March 16, 1942.<ref name="LaGrange" />


On August 5, 1942, Fuller graduated from the Tuskegee Advanced Pilot Cadet program as a member of the fifth-ever Cadet Class Single Engine Section SE-42-G, receiving his wings and commission as a [[2nd Lieutenant]].<ref name="CAF2" /><ref name="fWch4" /><ref name="Pittsb19430619"/><ref name="Pittsb19420815"/><ref name="Birmin19420816"/>
On August 5, 1942, Fuller graduated from the Tuskegee Advanced Pilot Cadet program as a member of the fifth-ever Cadet Class Single Engine Section SE-42-G, receiving his wings and commission as a [[2nd Lieutenant]].<ref name="CAF2" /><ref name="fWch4" /><ref name="Pittsb19420815"/><ref name="Birmin19420816"/>


During [[World War II]], Fuller flew 76 combat missions, including combat over Sicily and Italy.<ref name="MiamiH19950104"/><ref name="Fleming" /><ref name="Lena" /><ref name="Pittsb19431009"/> Fuller flew with the 99th Fighter Squadron's mission to secure [[Pantelleria]] in 1943.<ref name="Avstop" /> He earned the [[Air Medal]] with oak leaf cluster.<ref name="MiamiH19950104"/>
During [[World War II]], Fuller flew 76 combat missions, including combat over Sicily and Italy.<ref name="MiamiH19950104"/><ref name="Lena" /> Fuller flew with the 99th Fighter Squadron's mission to secure [[Pantelleria]] in 1943.<ref name="Avstop" /> He named his [[P-40]] fighter "Ruthea" after his first wife.<ref name="CSM" /> He earned the [[Air Medal]] with oak leaf cluster.<ref name="MiamiH19950104"/>


He named his [[P-40]] fighter "Ruthea" after his first wife.<ref name="CSM" /> Fuller and several of his fellow airmen posed with actress [[Lena Horne]] during her visit to Tuskegee.<ref name="Lena" />
In 1944, Fuller was transferred back to the United States, where he served as a flight instructor in Tuskegee Army Air Field's advanced single-engine flying school.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}} Fuller and several of his fellow airmen posed with actress [[Lena Horne]] for a photo during her visit to Tuskegee.<ref name="Lena" />


Fuller and several members of the 99th Fighter Squadron were invited to an upscale [[Atlantic City]] hotel. The officer managing the event attempted to exclude Fuller from bringing his wife because the officer felt that only Fuller had earned fair treatment. The officer relented, and Fuller took his wife to the hotel.<ref name="CSM" />
In 1944, Fuller was transferred back to the United States, where he served as a flight instructor in Tuskegee Army Air Field's advanced single-engine flying school.


In 1947, Fuller was discharged from active military duty.<ref name="Avstop" /><ref name="MiamiH19950104"/> He later became a Captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.<ref name="Avstop" />
Fuller and several members of the 99th Fighter Squadron were invited to an upscale Atlantic City hotel. The officer managing the event attempted to exclude Fuller from bringing his wife because the officer felt that only Fuller had earned fair treatment. Fuller relented, taking his wife to the hotel.<ref name="CSM" />

In 1947, Fuller was discharged from active military duty.<ref name="Avstop" /><ref name="MiamiH19950104"/> Fuller became a Captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.<ref name="Avstop" />


==Awards==
==Awards==
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==Death==
==Death==
Fuller died of a heart attack on January 3, 1995, at the age of 75.<ref name="MiamiH19950104"/> He was interred at the Monumental Garden South in Dade Memorial Park, [[Opa-locka, Florida]].{{cn|date=October 2021}}
Fuller died of a heart attack on January 3, 1995, at the age of 75.<ref name="MiamiH19950104"/> He was interred at the Monumental Garden South in Dade Memorial Park, [[Opa-locka, Florida]].{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}


==See also==
==See also==
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==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist|refs=
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="TimesR19850106">{{Cite newspaper
<ref name="TimesR19850106">{{cite news
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86563510/exhibit-honors-lonely-eagles/
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86563510/exhibit-honors-lonely-eagles/
| date = 1985-01-06
| date = 1985-01-06
Line 107: Line 99:
| location = Zanesville, Ohio
| location = Zanesville, Ohio
}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
<ref name="Montgo19400521">{{Cite newspaper
<ref name="Montgo19400521">{{cite news
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86563200/cadet-officers-receive-awards/
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86563200/cadet-officers-receive-awards/
| date = 1940-05-21
| date = 1940-05-21
Line 115: Line 107:
| location = Montgomery, Alabama
| location = Montgomery, Alabama
}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
<ref name="MiamiH19950104">{{Cite newspaper
<ref name="MiamiH19950104">{{cite news
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86562769/willie-howell-fuller/
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86562769/willie-howell-fuller/
| date = 1995-01-04
| date = 1995-01-04
Line 123: Line 115:
| location = Miami, Florida
| location = Miami, Florida
}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
<ref name="Birmin19420816">{{Cite newspaper
<ref name="Birmin19420816">{{cite news
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86559833/what-negroes-are-doing/
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86559833/what-negroes-are-doing/
| date = 1942-08-16
| date = 1942-08-16
Line 131: Line 123:
| location = Birmingham, Alabama
| location = Birmingham, Alabama
}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
}}</ref><!-- Sun -->
<ref name="Pittsb19420815">{{Cite newspaper
<ref name="Pittsb19420815">{{cite news
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1926410/15-august-1942/
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1926410/15-august-1942/
| date = 1942-08-15
| date = 1942-08-15
Line 139: Line 131:
| location = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| location = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
<ref name="TampaT19841225">{{Cite newspaper
<ref name="TampaT19841225">{{cite news
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86562609/lonely-eagles-flew-to-fight-color-barr/
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86562609/lonely-eagles-flew-to-fight-color-barr/
| date = 1984-12-25
| date = 1984-12-25
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| location = Tampa, Florida
| location = Tampa, Florida
}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
}}</ref><!-- Tue -->
<ref name="Pittsb19430619">{{Cite newspaper
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17197745/
| date = 1943-06-19
| page = 4
| title = Untitled Clipping
| newspaper = The Pittsburgh Courier
| location = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
<ref name="Pittsb19431009">{{Cite newspaper
| url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/18445476/
| date = 1943-10-09
| page = 13
| title = 'Capt. Roberts First Negro Squad Commander'——Rouzeau
| newspaper = The Pittsburgh Courier
| location = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
}}</ref><!-- Sat -->
<ref name="TAC">{{cite web
<ref name="TAC">{{cite web
| last1 = Haulman
| last1 = Haulman
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| url = https://cafriseabove.org/the-tuskegee-airmen/tuskegee-airmen-pilot-roster/
| url = https://cafriseabove.org/the-tuskegee-airmen/tuskegee-airmen-pilot-roster/
| website = CAF Rise Above
| website = CAF Rise Above
| publisher = CAF Rise Above
| access-date = 11 August 2020
| access-date = 11 August 2020
}}</ref>
<ref name="Fleming">{{cite book
| url = https://www.google.com/books/edition/Legendary_Locals_of_Edgecombe_and_Nash_C/cOWO-ahOKlwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Willie+H.+Fuller+tuskegee&pg=PA95
| page = 95
| title = Legendary Locals of Edgecombe and Nash Counties, North Carolina
| first1 = Monika S.
| last1 = Fleming
| year = 2013
| isbn = 9781467100441
| type = Paperback
| publisher = [[Arcadia Publishing]]
| language = English
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
<ref name="WWIIMD">{{cite web
<ref name="WWIIMD">{{cite web
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}}</ref>
}}</ref>
<ref name="Boy's">{{cite journal
<ref name="Boy's">{{cite journal
| journal = [[Scout Life|Boys’ Life]]
| journal = [[Scout Life|Boys' Life]]
| page = 40
| page = 40
| date = February 1994
| date = February 1994
Line 247: Line 210:
| page = 35
| page = 35
| isbn = 9781610607605
| isbn = 9781610607605
| url = https://www.google.com/books/edition/Tuskegee_s_Heroes/Ne5nMaxDYbcC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=willie+fuller+married+dunson&pg=PA35&printsec=frontcover
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Ne5nMaxDYbcC&dq=willie+fuller+married+dunson&pg=PA35
| access-date = 30 September 2021
| access-date = 30 September 2021
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
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| page = 22
| page = 22
| title = Scholarships in Honor of Blacks in Aviation Given at Florida College
| title = Scholarships in Honor of Blacks in Aviation Given at Florida College
| journal = [[Jet (magazine)]]
| journal = [[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]
| accessdate = September 24, 2021
| accessdate = September 24, 2021
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
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<ref name="dZnYJ">{{Citation
<ref name="dZnYJ">{{Citation
| title = A Brief Moment in LaGrange's History: Tuskegee Airman Willie Fuller
| title = A Brief Moment in LaGrange's History: Tuskegee Airman Willie Fuller
| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K73NmeRE1s
| date=July 10, 2020 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K73NmeRE1s
| language = en
| language = en
| access-date = 2021-09-26
| access-date = 2021-09-26
Line 311: Line 274:
==External links==
==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K73NmeRE1s A Brief Moment in LaGrange's History: Tuskegee Airman Willie Fuller]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K73NmeRE1s A Brief Moment in LaGrange's History: Tuskegee Airman Willie Fuller]
*[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182577495/willie-howell-fuller CPT Willie Howell “Will” Fuller] at [[Find a Grave]]


{{Tuskegee Airmen |state=autocollapse}}
{{Tuskegee Airmen |state=autocollapse}}

Latest revision as of 09:54, 16 May 2024

Captain

Willie H. Fuller
Willie H. Fuller
Birth nameGeorge L. Knox II
Nickname(s)Will
Born(1919-08-02)August 2, 1919
Tarboro, North Carolina US
DiedJanuary 3, 1995(1995-01-03) (aged 75)
Opa-locka, Florida US
Buried
Monumental Garden South in Dade Memorial Park, Opa-locka, Florida.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army Air Force
Years of service1942–1947
RankCaptain
Unit332nd Fighter Group
Awards
Alma materTuskegee Institute Bachelor's degree Mechanical Industries
Spouse(s)Willie (Billie) Dunson Fuller

Willie Howell Fuller (August 2, 1919 – January 3, 1995) was a U.S. Army Air Force/U.S. Air Force officer,[1] combat fighter pilot, and combat flight instructor with the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Pursuit Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails". He was the first black flight instructor for the single engine planes at Tuskegee. He was the only black flight instructor until December 1944.[2] He was one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.[3] He flew 76 combat missions.[4]

On August 5, 1942, Fuller graduated from the Tuskegee Advanced Pilot Cadet program as a member of the fifth-ever Cadet Class Single Engine Section SE-42-G.[3][5][6][7][8]

As he told Boys' Life: "Everybody figured that we could not fly and deliver under pressure. We wanted to prove that we could."[9] He was later honored by the Dade County (FL) Aviation Department and Florida Memorial College as part of their Blacks in Aviation Celebration for his contributions to the aviation industry.[10]

Early life

[edit]

Fuller was born on August 2, 1919, in Tarboro, North Carolina.[6][11] Educated in the Tarboro public schools, Fuller attended Tuskegee Institute, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Industries in 1942.[12]

Following his military service, Fuller married Willie (Billie) Dunson Fuller.[13]

Military career

[edit]
Fuller flew a P-40 which he named after his first wife: Ruthea.[N 1]
Lena Horne posing with the Tuskegee Airmen in Tuskegee Alabama during World War II. Fuller is behind Horne wearing a cap.[N 2]

Fuller received a certificate for military excellence, as a Cadet Second Lieutenant, in May 1940.[17] He was a college student in December 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked, and enlisted in the United States army shortly afterwards on March 16, 1942.[18]

On August 5, 1942, Fuller graduated from the Tuskegee Advanced Pilot Cadet program as a member of the fifth-ever Cadet Class Single Engine Section SE-42-G, receiving his wings and commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.[3][19][20][21]

During World War II, Fuller flew 76 combat missions, including combat over Sicily and Italy.[4][22] Fuller flew with the 99th Fighter Squadron's mission to secure Pantelleria in 1943.[11] He named his P-40 fighter "Ruthea" after his first wife.[23] He earned the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster.[4]

In 1944, Fuller was transferred back to the United States, where he served as a flight instructor in Tuskegee Army Air Field's advanced single-engine flying school.[citation needed] Fuller and several of his fellow airmen posed with actress Lena Horne for a photo during her visit to Tuskegee.[22]

Fuller and several members of the 99th Fighter Squadron were invited to an upscale Atlantic City hotel. The officer managing the event attempted to exclude Fuller from bringing his wife because the officer felt that only Fuller had earned fair treatment. The officer relented, and Fuller took his wife to the hotel.[23]

In 1947, Fuller was discharged from active military duty.[11][4] He later became a Captain in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.[11]

Awards

[edit]

Post-military

[edit]

After his service in the military, Fuller trained civilian pilots in North Carolina.[4] Later, he and his wife moved to LaGrange, Georgia, where he created the first African American owned taxi cab company there.[4] He also taught civilian pilots how to fly.[22][4]

By 1984, Fuller and his wife lived in Miami, Florida,[25][26] having left Lagrange to work with the Boy Scouts in South Florida; he would serve as District Executive with the South Florida Council, overseeing scouting in Dade, Broward and Monroe Counties.[11][22][9][4] He retired in 1982.[4]

Death

[edit]

Fuller died of a heart attack on January 3, 1995, at the age of 75.[4] He was interred at the Monumental Garden South in Dade Memorial Park, Opa-locka, Florida.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ The Tuskegee Airmen trained with the P-40 aircraft. Later the Tuskegee Airmen became known for flying the P-51 aircraft with red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder; their P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, yellow wing bands and all-red tail surfaces.[14]
  2. ^ Lena Horne performed for members of the United States military many times. Often she was required to perform for white troops first. She could only perform for the black troops the next day in a separate blacks only mess hall.[15] She performed for the first black pilots, (the Tuskegee airmen) during World War II.[16]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "'Lonely Eagles' flew to fight color barrier". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. December 25, 1984. p. 38.
  2. ^ Haulman, Daniel. "Tuskegee Airmen Chronology" (PDF). CAF Rise above. CAF. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Willie Howell Fuller". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. January 4, 1995. p. 22.
  5. ^ CAF Rise Above. "Class SE-42-G." https://cafriseabove.org/artifact/class-se-42-g/
  6. ^ a b "99th Fighter Squadron Discusses Air Action Over Anzio". The World War II Multimedia Database. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  7. ^ Terry, Marsha (September 1992). "The Biography of Tuskegee/Chanute Airman Lieutenant Colonel William Thompson: Bill's Story - Fact Sheet: Tuskegee Airmen". The Retired Officer Magazine. N.p.: 29. ISBN 9781300238287.
  8. ^ Caver, Joseph; Ennels, Jerome A.; Haulman, Daniel Lee (2011). The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939-1949 (Hardcover). NewSouth Books. p. 207. ISBN 978-1588382443.
  9. ^ a b "Tuskegee Airmen". Boys' Life: 40. February 1994. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Scholarships in Honor of Blacks in Aviation Given at Florida College". Jet: 22. March 29, 1993. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d e "The Tuskegee Airmen". Aviation Online Magazine. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  12. ^ A Brief Moment in LaGrange's History: Tuskegee Airman Willie Fuller, July 10, 2020, retrieved September 26, 2021
  13. ^ Cooper, Ann; Cooper, Charlie (1996). Tuskegee's Heroes. Osceola, Wisconsin: MBI Publishing Company. p. 35. ISBN 9781610607605. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  14. ^ Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.
  15. ^ Pilkington, Ed (May 10, 2010). "Lena Horne: a silken voice and fiery pride". Guardian News & Media Limited. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  16. ^ Ralston Major, Glenda; Clark Johnson, III, Forrest; Lanning Minchew, Kaye (2011). LaGrange. Charleston South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-7385-8768-4. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  17. ^ "Cadet Officers Receive Awards". The Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. May 21, 1940. p. 10.
  18. ^ Lovejoy, Andrea (January 13, 2012). "Willie Fuller; LaGrange's Tuskegee airman". LaGrange Daily News. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  19. ^ Cadet Willie H. Fuller. Getty Images
  20. ^ "More Tuskegee Men Get Wings". The Pittsburgh Courier. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. August 15, 1942. p. 5.
  21. ^ "What Negroes Are Doing". The Birmingham News. Birmingham, Alabama. August 16, 1942. p. 11.
  22. ^ a b c d Ralston Major, Glenda; Clark Johnson, III, Forrest; Lanning Minchew, Kaye (2011). LaGrange. Charleston South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-7385-8768-4. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  23. ^ a b Thomas D. Boettcher (September 30, 1982). "The hard-won successes of pioneer black pilots". The Christian Science Monitor.
  24. ^ "Public Law 109–213—APR. 11, 2006 Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen" (PDF). Congress.gov. US Library of Congress. April 11, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  25. ^ "Exhibit Honors 'Lonely Eagles'". The Times Recorder. Zanesville, Ohio. January 6, 1985. p. 19.
  26. ^ "Tale of heroic black pilots unfolds". The Times News. Associated Press. December 23, 1984. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
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