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'''Walter Irving “Ghost” Lawson''' (November 7, 1919 - February 26, 1952) was an [[U.S. Army Air Force]]/[[U.S. Air Force]] officer and combat fighter pilot with the [[332nd Fighter Group]]'s 99th Pursuit Squadron, best known as the [[Tuskegee Airmen]] or "Red Tails". He was one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.<ref name="CAF2" />
'''Walter Irving “Ghost” Lawson''' (November 7, 1919 - February 26, 1952) was an [[U.S. Army Air Force]]/[[U.S. Air Force]] officer and combat fighter pilot with the [[332nd Fighter Group]]'s 99th Pursuit Squadron, best known as the [[Tuskegee Airmen]] or "Red Tails". He was one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.<ref name="CAF2" />


Lawson was one of [[America]]'s first thirty-four African American combat fighter pilots.<ref name="CAF2" /> In 1942, he was enrolled in the fourth class of cadets in the 99the Pursuit Squadron, at [[Tuskegee Institute]];<ref name="Pittsb19420124"/><ref name="Hartfo19410129"/> on August 5, he 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="CAFclass" />
Lawson was one of [[America]]'s first thirty-four African American combat fighter pilots.<ref name="CAF2" />


==Early life==
==Early life==
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==Military career==
==Military career==
[[File:Tuskegee P-51.jpg|thumb|The Tuskegee Airmen's aircraft had distinctive markings that led to the name, "Red Tails."{{#tag:ref|The 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="bsmWk" />|group=N}}]]
[[File:Tuskegee P-51.jpg|thumb|The Tuskegee Airmen's aircraft had distinctive markings that led to the name, "Red Tails."{{#tag:ref|The 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="bsmWk" />|group=N}}]]
In 1942, he was enrolled in the fourth class of cadets in the 99 Pursuit Squadron, at [[Tuskegee Institute]];<ref name="Pittsb19420124"/><ref name="Hartfo19410129"/> he was in a plane crash during a training accident in June 1942,<ref name="Alabam19420608"/> but survived. On August 5, he 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="CAFclass" />
On August 5, 1942, Lawson 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]] with service number 0-791783.<ref name="AAM" /><ref name="CAF2" /><ref name="CAFclass" /> Lawson was one of [[America]]'s first thirty-four African American combat fighter pilots.<ref name="CAF2" /><ref name="YexsM" /> The [[U.S. Army Air Corps]] assigned him to the 332nd Fighter Group's [[99th Fighter Squadron]]. Lawson was part of the first group of [[99th Fighter Squadron]] pilots to be deployed overseas.<ref name="AAM" />
On August 5, 1942, Lawson 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]] with service number 0-791783.<ref name="AAM" /><ref name="CAF2" /><ref name="CAFclass" /> Lawson was one of [[America]]'s first thirty-four African American combat fighter pilots.<ref name="CAF2" /><ref name="YexsM" /> The [[U.S. Army Air Corps]] assigned him to the 332nd Fighter Group's [[99th Fighter Squadron]]. Lawson was part of the first group of [[99th Fighter Squadron]] pilots to be deployed overseas.<ref name="AAM" />


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===Notes===
===Notes===
{{reflist|refs=
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Alabam19420608">{{Cite newspaper|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86558034/power-line-cut-by-plane-crash/|date=1942-06-08|page=1|title=Power Line Cut By Plane Crash|newspaper=Alabama Journal|location=Montgomery, Alabama}}</ref><!-- Mon -->
<ref name="Hartfo19410129">{{Cite newspaper|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86557900/five-hampton-students-named-air-corps-ca/|date=1941-01-29|page=12|title=Five Hampton Students Named Air Corps Cadets|newspaper=Hartford Courant|location=Hartford, Connecticut}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
<ref name="Hartfo19410129">{{Cite newspaper|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86557900/five-hampton-students-named-air-corps-ca/|date=1941-01-29|page=12|title=Five Hampton Students Named Air Corps Cadets|newspaper=Hartford Courant|location=Hartford, Connecticut}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
<ref name="DailyP19410129">{{Cite newspaper|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9418698/possible-relative-of-the-ashleys-possib/|date=1941-01-29|page=9|title=Select Five For Training|newspaper=Daily Press|location=Newport News, Virginia}}</ref><!-- Wed -->
<ref name="DailyP19410129">{{Cite newspaper|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9418698/possible-relative-of-the-ashleys-possib/|date=1941-01-29|page=9|title=Select Five For Training|newspaper=Daily Press|location=Newport News, Virginia}}</ref><!-- Wed -->

Revision as of 21:01, 5 October 2021

Captain

Walter I. Lawson
Walter I. Lawson
Birth nameWalter Irving Lawson
Nickname(s)Ghost
Born(1919-11-07)November 7, 1919
Chancellor, Virginia, US
DiedFebruary 26, 1952(1952-02-26) (aged 32)
Omaha, Nebraska, US
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Army Air Force
Years of service1942–1952
RankCaptain
Unit332nd Fighter Group
Awards
Alma materHampton Institute, now Hampton University
Spouse(s)Cleo Hightower Lawson
RelationsParents Robert and Lillian Lawson


Walter Irving “Ghost” Lawson (November 7, 1919 - February 26, 1952) was an U.S. Army Air Force/U.S. Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Pursuit Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails". He was one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.[1]

Lawson was one of America's first thirty-four African American combat fighter pilots.[1]

Early life

Lawson was born on November 7, 1919 in Chancellor, Virginia, Spotsylvania County. He was the son of Robert Nelson Lawson (July 2, 1886 - December 12, 1950), pastor of Spotsylvania County's First Mt. Olive Baptist Church, and Lillian M. Redmond Lawson (14 February 14, 1886 - April 3, 1977), a teacher and alumni of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) and Virginia State College ((now Virginia State University.[2] He had two siblings: brother Robert D. Lawson and Prentiss A. Lawson.[2] He was raised in Chancellor, Virginia.[3]

Prior to his training at the Tuskegee Institute, Lawson attended Hampton Institute,[3] where he studied as an automobile mechanic.[4]

He was married to Cleo Hightower Lawson until his death.

Military career

The Tuskegee Airmen's aircraft had distinctive markings that led to the name, "Red Tails."[N 1]

In 1942, he was enrolled in the fourth class of cadets in the 99 Pursuit Squadron, at Tuskegee Institute;[6][7] he was in a plane crash during a training accident in June 1942,[8] but survived. On August 5, he graduated from the Tuskegee Advanced Pilot Cadet program, as a member of the fifth-ever Cadet Class Single Engine Section SE-42-G.[1][9] On August 5, 1942, Lawson 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 with service number 0-791783.[10][1][9] Lawson was one of America's first thirty-four African American combat fighter pilots.[1][11] The U.S. Army Air Corps assigned him to the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron. Lawson was part of the first group of 99th Fighter Squadron pilots to be deployed overseas.[10]

After World War II, Lawson served in Korea and Tokyo, Japan. At the time of his death in 1952, Lawson held the rank of Captain.[10]

Awards

Death

On February 25, 1952, Lawson and a crew of fellow 343rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron members in a Boeing RB-50G Superfortress departed Hickam Field in Honolulu, Hawaii after two months stationed in Tokyo, Japan.[13][10][14]

On the morning of February 26, 1952 at 2am, their aircraft, piloted by Zane G. Hall, hit a mound of dirt on the runaway of Offutt Field in Omaha, Nebraska, causing the plane to skid and explode. Twelve crew members were injured. Five crew members, including Lawson, were killed instantly.[13][10] Lawson was only 32 years old.[15]

On March 3, 1952, Lawson was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 3, Site 1383, in Arlington, Virginia,[10] survived by his wife Cleo and daughter Sandra.[16] In 1994, his wife was buried with him.

Years later, Lawson's family spoke with crash survivor Stamps to hear the details of the 1952 crash, allowing the family to grief and get closure on Lawson's death.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ The 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.[5]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b Lillian Lawson Obituary[full citation needed]
  3. ^ a b "Walter Irving Lawson in 4th class training as flying cadets for 99th Pursuit Squadron at Tuskegee". The New York Age. 3 January 1942. p. 2.
  4. ^ "Select Five For Training". Daily Press. Newport News, Virginia. 1941-01-29. p. 9.
  5. ^ Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.
  6. ^ "Join 99th Air Squad". The Pittsburgh Courier. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 1942-01-24. p. 13.
  7. ^ "Five Hampton Students Named Air Corps Cadets". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. 1941-01-29. p. 12.
  8. ^ "Power Line Cut By Plane Crash". Alabama Journal. Montgomery, Alabama. 1942-06-08. p. 1.
  9. ^ a b "Class SE-42-G". CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Walter Irving Lawson". American Air Museum in Britain. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  11. ^ Dryden, Charles (25 June 2002). A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: The University of Alabama Press. p. 87. ISBN 9780817312664. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  12. ^ "S.Con.Res.15 - A concurrent resolution authorizing the Rotunda of the Capitol to be used on March 29, 2007, for a ceremony to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen". Congress.gov. US Library of Congress. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  13. ^ a b "ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 70577". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  14. ^ Liberty Lady. "29 MAR BUDDY STAMPS." Pat DiGeorge. https://libertyladybook.com/2012/03/29/buddy-stamps/[self-published source]Z
  15. ^ a b "16 APR CAPTAIN WALTER IRVING LAWSON". Pat DiGeorge. 16 April 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2021.[self-published source]
  16. ^ "McLurkin-Lawson". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1967-03-26. p. 76.
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