Paintings, Photos and Commentary by Stan Stokes.
In 1941, the Tuskegee Institute Board of Directors decided to construct an improved airfield to enable more students to train for and obtain their pilot’s licenses. To do this, $200,000 would be needed to build the runway and facilities. One of the entities contacted as a possible source for funding was the Julius Rosenwald Fund of Chicago, where Eleanor…
As a young boy, Charles Alfred Anderson was fascinated by airplanes and knew he just had to fly. By the time he was 20, he had saved enough money for flying lessons; however, no one would teach a young black man to fly. Not deterred, Anderson attended aviation ground school, where he learned airplane mechanics, and spent time around airports,…
Charles Phillip Bailey was born on November 25, 1918, in Punta Gorda, Florida. He was the son of Archie Bailey and Josephine Bailey. Bailey attended the historically black university Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he played football on a full scholarship. Bailey possessed a deep desire in becoming a pilot but, Bethune-Cookman University did not have a civil…
The Messerschmitt 262 Jet Kill On March 24, 1945, the Tuskegee Airmen flew their longest mission of the war, escorting heavy bombers to Berlin (which was farther from their base in Italy than from American airfields in England). Over the German capital, they encountered Messerschmitt Me 262 jets. To confront the bombers and fighters, the Luftwaffe had launched 30 Me…
Roscoe C. Brown Jr. was squadron commander of the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group. During combat, he served as a flight leader and operations officer. He had graduated from the Tuskegee Flight School on March 12, 1944, as a member of class 44-C-SE. The 100th Fighter Squadron deployed to the war in Europe as a part…
When visiting with Alex, I immediately found him to be a very gracious and humble person. He has a bright personality that is accompanied by a joyful grin. Alex is simply a great person to be around. He is now 100 years old! Originally from Detroit, Alexander attained a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from Clark College in…
First Lt. Walter J.A. Palmer became a US Army Air Force pilot in 1943, graduating in class SE-43-F. He flew 158 combat missions over Italy and Germany during World War II. He was assigned to the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group. In February 1944, the 100th, 301st, and 302nd fighter squadrons arrived in Italy. Together, with…
I met Rusty Burns while I was painting the Tuskegee Airmen mural at the Palm Springs Air Museum. I was up a ladder in the middle of the painting when I noticed a fellow watching me. I asked him if I could answer any questions. His reply was, “You’re painting me!” I came down from the ladder to shake his hand.…
Clarence Jamison was a pioneering Tuskegee Airman with a 22-year history of military service during and after World War II. His life was one of historic firsts and accomplishments. While living in Chicago with an uncle and attending the University of Chicago, Clarence learned about the US government-sponsored Civilian Pilot Training Program. The idea of the CPTP was to…
I had been introduced over the phone to Alton Ballard by Bob Williams and was now en route to meet with him at his home in Baldwin Hills, California. When I arrived, I couldn’t help but notice that his house had a spectacular view of downtown Los Angeles. This was just the start of what turned into a fabulous day…
