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Author
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Topic: Tuskegee Airmen
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STEVE SMITH unregistered
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posted 02-08-2004 07:24 PM
Forgive me for going a little off topic, but I tend to include the early aviation heroics as a logical percursor to the spaceage.Had wanted to watch this since it came out I believe in 1995. The History Channel is showing it as part of Black History Month. It has been on twice this week and hopefully will again. I'd highly recommend it. Excellent acting by Lawerence Fishburne and Cuba Gooding Jr. and others I don't know. Plus History Channel has very interesting commentary from people like Dr. Roscoe Browne who were part of the Tuskeegee Airmen, and reflect on the movie and their experiences. They also give a lot of credit to President Truman (who I thiink is greatly under apprecated) for desegrgating the military in 1948. The Tuskeegee Airmen were the only fighter group never to loose a bomber they escorted. They also were the first to shoot down a jet (three). I am a great admirer of people of achievement, and heroes, especially when they have an unfair playing field to overcome. I'm very proud of the sacrifice of these Americans, as well as all of our servicemen and women. Thanks. |
DC Giants Member Posts: 135 From: Kansas City, MO USA Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 02-08-2004 09:25 PM
Hi Steve,It is neat talking to those guys. Every year at the Columbia, MO Memorial Day airshow several Tuskegee Airmen set up a tent and talk to people and sign autographs. I have gone to that show several times and was able to see a lot of war heroes with some interesting stories to tell. Also, while there I saw a vintage Korean F-86 jet with John Glenn's replica insignia fly; and I was able to get astronaut "Hoot" Gibson's autograph. I recommend that show if you can get to it. Pat |
Rodina Member Posts: 836 From: Lafayette, CA Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 02-08-2004 11:23 PM
I'm blessed to have an Uncle (well, my best friend's uncle, but he's an uncle in all but blood) who flew with the 332nd -- he liked to talk about modern airplanes, he enjoyed flying, but he never would talk about the war itself. His service record reflects 2 1/2 kills, if I recall, and was rated to fly P-39s, B-25s and, later, P-51s. (I never knew of the Tuskegee Airmen flying B-25s, but I think some of them trained on them for ferry duty)One of my treasured possessions is a signed picture from him the day he was assigned to his brand new P-39 Aerocobra. |
Gilbert Member Posts: 1328 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 02-09-2004 11:03 AM
Five members of the Tuskegee Airmen were in Columbus, GA last fall when Alan Bean appeared there. I got all of them to sign a book about the Tuskegee Airmen and they were thrilled to do it. Great guys! | |
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