Joseph Elsberry

Joseph Elsberry
Born	Joseph Dubois Elsberry 25 April 1921 Langston, Oklahoma, US
Died	March 31, 1985(1985-03-31) (aged 63) Los Angeles, California, US
Resting place	Arlington National Cemetery
Alma mater	Langston University
Occupations	Military officer fighter pilot
Years active	1942-1962

Joseph D. Elsberry (25 April 1921 – 31 March 1985) was a U.S. Army Air Force officer and an African-American World War II fighter pilot in the 301st Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group of the famed Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails". Elsberry destroyed three enemy aircraft over France in a single mission on July 12, 1944, and a fourth aircraft in July 20, 1944, becoming the first African American fighter pilot to do so. Considered one of the most gifted, most aggressive and fearless fighter pilots within the Tuskegee Airmen, Elsberry was one of the first African-American military aviators in the United States Army Air Corps, the United States Army Air Forces and later the United States Air Force, eventually earning the rank of Major before retiring in 1962.

Elsberry was one of three Tuskegee Airmen to have come close to earning the US Military designation of Fighter Ace. Elsberry, "Buddy" Lee Archer (pilot), and Edward L. Toppins each destroyed four enemy aircraft during World War II aerial missions in Europe. None of these Tuskegee Airmen ever received credit for the coveted fifth “kill” which would have placed a fighter pilot in the rare “ace” category. However, despite some contention, Lee Archer (pilot) is considered by some as the first and only African American U.S. pilot in World War II to earn an "ace" designation.

On September 10, 1944, Brigadier General Benjamin Davis Sr., the first African American to receive the rank of General and the father of Tuskegee Airmen commander Benjamin O. Davis Jr., awarded Elsberry the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross (United States). Elsberry received this award for single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights on July 12, 1944 and July 20, 1944. Several major military leaders attended the ceremony including Ira C. Eaker, Commanding General of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces, Nathan F. Twining, Commanding General of the 15th Air Force, and Dean C. Strother, Commanding General of the 306th Fighter Wing of the 15th Air Force.

Early life and family

Born Joseph Dubois Elsberry in Langston, Oklahoma. Elsberry was the youngest child and only son of Joseph Dean Elsberry (1890–1930), a school teacher and civic leader, and Beulah Earle Meeks Elsberry (1894–1969), a school teacher. He was the younger brother of Beulah O'Dyne Elsberry Irons (1916–1984), an accomplished pianist and organist, and finish tailor.

Prior to joining the military, Elsberry attended Langston University for three years.

Elsberry is considered Langston, Oklahoma's most famous resident for his heroics in World War II, shooting down three enemy German aircraft in one day.

Military career, fame as Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilot

Elsberry enlisted in the US Army in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on 19 Feb 1942, receiving Army Serial Number 18086103

Prior to 1942, African Americans were not permitted to become fighter pilots because of rampant racial discrimination in the U.S. armed services. As the United States ramped up its involvement in World War II, the U.S. military experienced a severe shortage of skilled, experienced pilots. As African American newspapers and civil rights leaders including the NAACP's Walter White, Judge William H. Hastie, and Pullman Porter union leader A. Philip Randolph pleaded with President Franklin Roosevelt to include African American in aeronautics and the United States Army Air Corps, the U.S. Army Corps created a test aviator training program for African American men, a by-product of President Roosevelt's post-reelection promise. Some of the way was paved by U.S. Congress' April 3, 1939 Appropriations Bill Public Law 18 which designated funds to train African-American pilots at civilian flight schools.

This Tuskegee Airmen program, initiated in June 1941, began at Tuskegee, Alabama at the Tuskegee Army Airfield near Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University).

Elsberry became one of the most famous graduates of Tuskegee Army Flying School, graduating with Class 42-H-SE on September 6, 1942. As a member of the all-African American 332nd Fighter Group, Elsberry would be considered one of the greatest, most fearless fighter pilots to have graduated from the Tuskegee Army Flying School.

As a Captain, Elsberry led the 301st Fighter Squadron. On 23 June 1944, Elsberry and his squadron of P-51 “Mustang” long-range, single-seat fighters sank a German destroyer in Italy's Trieste Harbor employing exclusively 50-caliber machine guns. Though the German military denied destruction of its destroyer at the hands of US fighter pilots, film confirmed the successful attack.

On 12 July 1944, Elsberry, while escorting bombers with his squadron in southern Italy, shot down three German Focke-Wulf 190s in a single day.

On 20 July 1944, Elsberry destroyed an enemy Messerschmitt 109 aircraft on his accomplishments were tantamount to those of an “ace” fighter pilot. His 4 kills came very close to meeting US Military designation for a Fighter Ace. Elsberry joined fellow Tuskegee Airmen Edward L. Toppins and "Buddy" Lee Archer (pilot) to each destroy four enemy aircraft.

Elsberry retired in 1962 with the rank of Major.

Later life and death

After returning to Oklahoma, Elsberry relocated to San Francisco in 1962, working for Western Electric Company until his final retirement in 1977.

On 31 March 1985, Elsberry had a heart attack and died in his San Francisco, California apartment. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 42, Grave 2804.