1 50 1 https://digitalcollections.eku.edu/files/original/0105debc337e6e59915e98f7b2765678.pdf e8ac927661122c7cb453e2edf5d8ee6d PDF Text Text "Local Tuskegee Airmen" Richmond High School Alumni Reunion The Tuskegee Airmen were dedicated, determined young men who enlisted to become America's first black military airmen, at a time when there were many people who thought that black men lacked intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism. They came from every section of the country, with large numbers coming from New York City, Washington, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Detroit. Each one possessed a strong personal desire to serve the United States of America at the best of his ability. No standards were lowered for the pilots or any of the others who trained in operations, meteorology, intelligence, engineering, medicine or any of the other officer fields. Enlisted members were trained to be aircraft and engine mechanics, armament specialists, radio repairmen, parachute riggers, control tower operators, policemen, administrative clerks and all of the other skills necessary to fully function as an Army Air Corps flying squadron or ground support unit. From 1942 through 1946, nine hundred and ninety-four pilots graduated at TAAF, receiving commissions and pilot wings. Black navigators, bombardiers and gunnery crews were trained at selected military bases elsewhere in the United States. Mechanics were trained at Chanute Air Base in Rantoul, Illinois. Four hundred and fifty of the pilots who were trained at TAAF served overseas in either the 99th Pursuit Squadron (later the 99th Fighter Squadron) or the 332nd Fighter Group. The 99th Fighter Squadron trained in and flew aircraft in combat in North Africa, Sicily and Italy from April 1943 until July 1944 when they were transferred to the 332nd Fighter Group in the 15th Air Force. The outstanding record of black airmen in World War II was accomplished by men whose names will forever live in hallowed memory. Each one accepted the challenge, proudly displayed his skill and determination while suppressing internal rage from humiliation and indignation caused by frequent experiences of racism and bigotry, at home and overseas. These airmen fought two wars - one against a military force overseas and the other against racism at home and abroad. After the war in Europe ended in 1945, black airmen returned to the United States and at the . Tuskegee Army Air Field continued to train new airmen until 1946, with women entering the nd program in several support fields. In 1949, pilots from the 332 Fighter Group took first place in the Air Force National Fighter Gunnery Meet at Las Vegas Air Force Base, Nevada. The Combat record of the Tuskegee Airmen speaks for itseff: • • • • • • • • • • • Over 15,000 combat sorties 111 German airplanes destroyed in the air, another 150 on the ground 950 railcars, trucks and other motor vehicles destroyed 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses 1 destroyer sunk byP-47 machine gun fire 66 pilots killed in action or by accidents 32 pilots downed and captured, POWs nd No US bombers lost while being escorted by the 332 8 Purple Hearts 14 Bronze Stars 744 Air Medals ................................................................................................................................................ �... .·-·-· ...... ..... ·· -·- """ - ~ r _332nd Fighter Squadron $ - The 332nd Fighter Group was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its longest bomber escort mission to Berlin, Germany, March 24, 1945. It destroyed three German ME-262 Jet fighters and damaged five additional jet fighters without losing any of the bombers or any of its own fighter aircraft to enemy fighters. IMML _,/ The 332nd Fighter Group had also distinguished itself in June 1944 when two of its . __ _.J pilots flying P-47 Thunderbolts discovered a German destroyer in the harbor of 332nd Fighter Group Trieste, Italy. The tenacious bomber escort cover provided by the 332nd "Red Tail'' fighters often discouraged enemy fighter pilots from attacking bombers escorted by the 332nd Fighter Group. ,r- .. - ~";Y:T, ··~=-:~~- ,_-.,._...,,.....,,,,......~,y~~... ~-~ " :'t'... 99th Fighter Squadron ~ ,J Lineage: Constituted 99th Pursuit Squadron 10 March 1941. Activated on 22 March 1941. Redesignated 99th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942. Inactivated 1 July 1949 Aircraft: P-39, P-40, P-47,P-51 Operations: Combat in Mediterranean Theater of Operations and European Theather of Operations, 2 June 1943- 30 April 1945. 99th Fighter Squadron Campaigns: Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Amo; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater. Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citations: Sicily, June-July 1943; Cassino, 12-14 May 1944; Germany, 24 March 1945. f" 100th Fighter Squadron ' © t \ .r "- ·?JJ ~-~ 100th Fighter Squadron Lineage: Constituted 100th Pursuit Squadron 27 December 1941. Activated on 19 February 1942. Redesignated 100th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942. Inactivated on 19 October 1945. Activated on 1 July 1947. Inactivated on 1 July 1949. Aircraft: P-39, P-40, P-47,P-51 Operations: Combat in Mediterranean Theater of Operations and European Theather of Operations, 19 February 1944 - 26 April 1945. Campaigns: Rome-Amo; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater. Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 24 March 1945. �F:. .. . "''~-~ ,_. .,............ ~ - ~ - , · ~ - • : : a . • ~ 4 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ' : " ~..,. .-:ltr"".., ., ~·~~ 301st Fighter Squadron · ., .,..-. ~ ,;,(: .Jt Lineage: ConstiMed 301st Fighter Squadron 4 July 1942. Activated on 13 October 1942. Inactivated on 19 October 1945. Activated on 1 July 1947. Inactivated on 1 July 1949. ~ Aircraft: P-39, P-40, P-47, P-51 Operations: Combat in Mediterranean Theater of Operations and European Theather of Operations, 15 February- 26 April 1945. 301 st Fighter Squadron Campaigns: Rome-Amo; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater. Decorations: Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany, 24 March 1945. "'302nd Fighter Squadron @ ~,oo Fighter Squadron Lineage: ConstiMed 302nd Fighter Squadron 4 July 1942. Activated on 13 October 1942. Inactivated on 6 March 1945. Activated 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron on 1 July 1987. Aircraft: P-39, P-40, P-47, P-51 Operations: Combat in Mediterranean Theater of Operations and European Theather of Operations, 17 February 1944 - 20 February 1945. Campaigns: Rome-Amo; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater. Decorations: None r- ~ .,.,,... ...... ,.616th Bombardment Squadron Lineage: Constituted 616th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 13 May 1943. Activated on 1 June 1943. Inactivated on 25 August 1943. Activated on 15 January 1944. Inactivated on 22 June 1945. 616th Aircraft: B-26, B-25 Bombardment Squadron Operations: Training June -August 1943, and January 1944 - June 1945. I' ~ V 617th Bombardment Squadron 617th Bombardment Squadron Lineage: Constituted 617th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 13 May 1943. Activated on 11 June 1943. Inactivated on 25 August 1943. Activated on 15 April 1944. Inactivated on 1 July 1947. Aircraft: B-26, B-25 Operations: Training June -August 1943, and April 1944- July 1947. �Fight Song Contact - Joy stick back Sailing through the blue Gallant sons of the 99th Brown men tried and true We are the Heroes of the night To hell w ith the Axis might FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! Fighting 99th. Rat-tat, Rat-tat-tat Down in flames they go The withering fire of the 99th sends them down below We are the Heroes of the night To hell with the Axis might FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! Fighting 99th. Drink-k up-p, Drain your cup-p To those daring men (To those daring men) Flying torch of flame, Oh GOD-D - Red White and Blue Amen. For-r We-e Ar-re Heroes of the ninth To Hell with the Axis might FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! Fighting 99th WINGS!! �r• •-~=-• 1•~~~•,,~~••~-~r::~ ~~;,:~~ ••,. "J>'.l. ,...,.,,__ ...... .; "'""'3'ic·' Aircraft (aerial) 111 25 136 Aircraft (ground) 150 123 273 Barges & Boats 16 24 40 Box Cars & Other Rolling Stock 58 561 619 Buildings & Factories 0 23 23 Gun Emplacements 3 0 3 Destroyers 1 0 1 Horse Drawn Vehicles 15 100 115 Motor Transports 6 81 87 Power Transformers 3 2 5 57 69 126 Radar Installations 1 8 9 Tanks on Flat Cars 0 7 7 Oil & Ammunition Dumps 2 0 2 Locomotives ..,,. ,_ ,,... ~·.•m,,-·.-~·~- . . Medals Awarded t If:. .J 0. ~ .. ~ - ·.•;.;;. j J::~~~~-~~~T~~-=~~~8 ~ - ~ ~ : : .• ~!-- Legion of Merit 1 Silver Star 1 Soldier Medal 2 Purple Heart 8 Distinguished Flying Cross 95 Bronze Star 14 Air Medal and Clusters 744 Final total of Distinguished Flying Crosses awarded to Negro pilots estimated at 150 ... ... ~ ~ Total Combat Missions J "'l J Grand Total Missions 1,578 Grand Total Sorties 15,533 Total Number of Pilots Sent Overseas 450 Total Number of Pilots Graduated at Tuskegee 992 Prisioners of War 32 TOTAL KILLED IN ACTION 66 �"Local Tuskegee Airmen" Richmond High School Alumni Reunion First Lieutenant William Walker F irst Lieutenant William Walker was born in Richmond, Kentucky . He graduated from Richmond High School in 1934. He was a graduate of West Virginia State College and joined the Air Force, and was promoted to F irst Lieutenant Tuskegee Airmen. His wife, Marie Walker and da ughter live in Ohio, his brother First L ieutenant Frank D. Walker resides in Ric hmond, Kentucky, his sisters Mrs. Ann W. Coll ins resides in California and Ms. Gertrude Walker resides in Ind iana. �"Local Tuskegee Airmen" Richmond High School Alumni Reunion First Lieutenant Eugene Louis Runyon, Sr. First Lieutenant Eugene Louis Runyon, Sr., was born April 21, 1921 , in Lockland, O hio. He is a graduate of Richmond High School, c lass of 1938. He joined the United States Army Air Corp, where he served with the Tuskegee A irmen as the First Lieutenant Navigator Bombardier. Upon completion of his military service, he attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio where he received a PH.D. in Industrial Psychology. Doctor Eugene Louis Runyon, Sr., was a Professor at Tennessee State University, Nashvil le, Tennessee, Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio, where he served as chair of the Psychology Department. He was a lso professor at North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina. Doctor Eugene Louis Runyon, Sr., professional associations include serving as a charter member of the Ohio State Board of Psychology, member of the Association of Black Psychologists and a member of the American Psychologists Association. Doctor Eugene Louis Runyon, Sr., was an avid reader. There were several newspaper and publications he read on a daily bases including The New York Times and T he Washington Post. Doctor Eugene Louis Runyon, Sr., was a source of information concerning c urrent events. He was the father of E ugene (Bombie) L. Runyon, Jr., Vera L. Runyon, Carolyn J. Runyon and Terri J. Runyon-Walker. Doctor Eugene Louis Runyon, Sr., passed on May 2002 in Dayton, Ohio. �"Local Tuskegee Airmen" Richmond High School Alumni Reunion Private First Class Robert A. Ferrell Private First Class Robert A. Ferrell was born June 18, 1921 in Columbus, Ohio. He is a graduate of Richmond High School, class of 1936. He was the first All-State basketball player to graduate from Richmond High School. He joined the service in October 1942 and his mi litary occupation was a truck driver as a truck support to the Tuskegee Airmen. He served in Naples-Foggia and Rome-Arno. After his discharge, he was employed at Wright-Patterson Air Force base in Dayton Ohio until retirement. His daughter Doctor Eva Abdullahi and granddaughter Hinda live in Dayton, Ohio and his brother Paul Ferrell resides in Richmond, Kentucky. He passed away in February 2000. �"Local Tuskegee Airmen" Richmond High School Alumni Reunion Sergeant John Sam Harris Sergeant John Sam Harris was born April 13, 1924, in Richmond, Kentucky. He is a graduate of Richmond High School, class of I943. He was a member of the basketball team that defeated Ashland for the State Championship. He joined the Air Force where he entered the Tuskegee Training Program. He completed the program in 1945 were he received the honor of been named Sergeant of the 2164th AAF Base Unit, Tuskegee Institute, Alabama. The picture shows Sergeant John Sam Harris in his fight jacket and hat at the beginning of his training. He class did not see any combat, but did fly training missions in the United States. After the Air Force, he enrolled at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky. In September 1948 he married Catherine Graves Nash of Atlanta, Georgia. In 1950 he graduated Cum Laude from Kentucky State University. He moved to Atlanta where he taught History class at one of the local high schools. In 1953, daughter Karen Marie was born. He started a new job with Schlitz Brewing Company and he traveled the southeast as a District Sales Manager. In 1963 he received a promotion to the Director of Sales Promotion and moved his family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As Director of Sales Promotion he traveled to Hong Kong and Alaska. He later directed a Government Federal Program; Bank Officer with the F irst Wisconsin National Bank In 1979, his daughter Karen Marie was married to Stanley Reynolds and May 1982 he became the proud grandfather of Mariel Reynolds. Sergeant John Sam Harris passed in August 1984 battling cancer. �"Local Tuskegee Airmen" Richmond High School Alumni Reunion Technical Sergeant Donald Dillingham Technical Sergeant Donald Dillingham was born April I, I 927 in Richmond, Kentucky. He received his early education in Richmond High School. He joined the Air Force and took advantage of the opportunity to finish his high school education. He served in the United States Air Force for twenty years, where he served as an Aircraft Mechanic with many of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. Technical Sergeant Donald Di llingham most memorable exrerience was his personal relationships formed while serving with the 991 Fighter Squadron of the elite Tuskegee Airmen. Technical Sergeant Donald Dillingham was honored for his outstanding knowledge in his career field. His love and commitment to the military allowed him to serve his country and travel to many states and overseas location including the Ph ilippines, France and Germany. Technical Sergeant Donald Dillingham continued his contact and relationships after retirement through the General Dan Chappie James American Legion Post #776. He retired from General Motors (Inland Division). He passed away July 2004 and leaves to cherish his memory, wife Johnie and brother Lucian and six sons. �"Local Tuskegee Airmen" Richmond High School Alumni Reunion Cadet Carolyn I . Runyon (Ferrell) Cadet Carolyn I. Runyon was born January 29, 1923, in Richmond, Kentucky. She is a graduate of Richmond High School, class of 1942. She joined the Tuskegee Institute Cadet Nurse Corp. The Cadet Nurse Corp., was designed to meet the shortage of civilian nurses during WWlI. Cadet Carolyn l. Runyon graduated in May 1945 from the nurses training program. Upon graduation the nurses were obligated to engage in essential military or civi lian nursing for the duration of the war. Cadet Carolyn I. Runyon spent the last six months of her training assigned to civilian and military hospitals. Cadet Carolyn I. Runyon earned her Master's Degree from the University of Dayton in 1963; she advanced t the Head Nurse at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. She was a avid reader and enjoyed traveling overseas where she visited places such as Israel, Egypt and Russia. She also enjoyed spending times with family and friends at her vacation in Attrahunt, Kentucky (Somerset). She was married to Robert A. Ferrell. Cadet Carolyn I. Runyon passed on October 9, 2006. Her memories are cherished by her three nieces and a nephew. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richmond High School Alumni Reunion Displays Description An account of the resource This collection is comprised of documents that pertain to and document alumni and alumni reunions of Richmond High School, which was the African American high school in Richmond, KY. These documents came from display boards that were used at annual reunions. Most items are copies; however, there are some original items as well. The items in this collection consist of news clippings, photographs, and ephemera relating to alumni. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richmond High School Alumni Association Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1930-1960 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource photograph text ephemera Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource text image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2023A006 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tuskegee Airmen Description An account of the resource Articles and documents regarding Tuskegee Airmen and the Richmond High School alumni who were Tuskegee airmen. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Richmond High School Alumni Reunion Displays Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource display Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource text image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2023a006-b01-f15 African Americans Tuskegee Airmen